Sussex boasts the best amateur rugby league side in the country.

That was the claim from Crawley Jets as they powered into a third successive Conference Grand Final.

And it was hard to argue as they blew away South Norfolk Saints 41-22 on Saturday, scoring seven tries in the process.

Not bad for a side which owes its success to a chance meeting between former Widnes player Steve O'Reilly and Dewsbury fan Mark Richardson in a Crawley pub.

Both were wearing replica shirts of their favourite league sides and, while the rest of the pub probably debated Chelsea's latest signings and the like, they struck up a conversation about oval ball events up north.

Five years on, chairman Richardson paces the touchline in his Jets shirt, which he modelled on the Dewsbury kit, and looks on while player/coach O'Reilly pulls the strings from half back.

O'Reilly's side includes a few exiled northerners but is made mostly of locally based union men such as Richard Billings, Dave Wattam and the latest recruit, Alex Meredith.

Nick Dinsdale fits both categories. He was born in Manchester but played only union until the Jets came along. Fitting then that he should power through four minutes from time to round off a memorable afternoon for the club.

Richardson declared: "It has been a marvellous day. I've seen a couple of London Broncos fans here and they were amazed at the standard.

"We're getting coverage in the rugby league press up north now. They all know what's going on at Crawley."

He added: "We are the best amateur team in the country and that is pretty much accepted throughout rugby league.

"Two years ago we won the final and, to be honest, I think a few people in the game were pleased when we lost by two points to Chester last season. Otherwise it would have been two in a row."

One slight gripe at the club is that they do not get more chances to perform at the the town's prestigious Broadfield Stadium.

Instead, they are tucked away on the most remote pitch at Crawley rugby club, complete with its slight slope, rusting goalposts and, appropriately enough, constant roar of jets taking off from nearby Gatwick.

On Saturday, they could not even get into the clubhouse, which had been booked for a wedding, but a makeshift beer tent and timely delivery from the local chip shop kept most people happy.

But then it would be churlish for Jets fans to moan about anything this season. Their team have put together nine straight wins and passed the 100-try mark on Saturday.

Andy Shaw twice powered in from close range and had a big hand in tries for Ed Dowling and Dave Wattam before Wattam struck again, rounding off the move of the match. O'Reilly was faultless with the boot and his side were 30-6 up at half-time.

The second period was less explosive. Norfolk produced some elusive running and scored three tries, but Mark Henderson claimed the score of the half after O'Reilly's clever cross kick had opened up the defence.

The coach, who added a conversion and drop goal after the break, admitted: "I've got a feeling it's going to be our year.

"We played so well for the last 20 minutes of the first half and it was a shame the ref blew for half-time.

"But you can't argue with results. We've won nine in a row so we're obviously no muppets."

Jets face Rotherham in the final at Coventry on August 19.