George Adaire batted for almost two hours in searing heat and was the Midhurst match-winner in the Sussex Junior Festival under-14s Bowl final.

He fired an unbeaten 55 to seal victory against Findon at Seaford College, Petworth.

Manager Tim Crow said: "George had a job to do and he did it despite the heat. He even had to wear a helmet, which is compulsory under ECB rules at his age, and that made him hotter.

"He is a modest lad and was surprised by how many runs he scored. He did well in our qualifying matches with the ball and took five wickets for no runs in one game.

"We're proud of all the boys. They each played their part.

"The Festival is an excellent idea because it provides decent cricket over a week. It is a shining example of what we should be doing in youth cricket."

Temperatures soaring into the nineties were a concern.

Crow said: 'We were worried about heat exhaustion. It was difficult in the field but, apart from a few red faces, everyone was all right. We made sure the players received plenty of liquid at ten-over intervals."

Findon's score was restricted to 124, although they recovered from 11-3 as Bradley Bridson (39) and Ben Jordan (28) steadied the innings. Medium-pacer Steve Baldwin (4-9) impressed with the ball.

Midhurst completed victory for the loss of five wickets with seven overs to spare.

Crow said: "We only had the bare 11. Four regulars were on holiday including skipper Paul Shears, Kit Muir, Ed Hodgson and Pat Windle."

Midhurst won the under-12s' crown two years ago.

The side included district players Graham Braithwaite, Toby Crow and captain Tom Marriner, while Adaire and team-mate Ed Atkins are former Sussex players.

Midhurst reached the final with victories over Stirlands, Chichester Priory and Littlehampton and a winning draw against Middleton.

Ed Atkins scored 80 against Chichester and off-spinner Adaire took 5-0 against Stirlands.

Findon manager Mike Metters said: "A couple of balls misbehaved early on which put us on the back foot. Bradley and Ben did well and so did Michael Quest, with 20, but our total was about 25 runs short."

Alex Nielsen hit 125 and Felix Jordan 48 in a qualifying draw against Balcombe.

Nielsen claimed 5-28 in the win over Horsham.

Ben Jordan (58), Graham Manser (46) and Quest (46) featured in victory against Three Bridges and Bridson hit 31 not out against East Grinstead.

Felpham lifted the Shield with a five-wicket final win against St Peters (Brighton and Hove) at Ansty.

Luke Seward captained the side managed by dad Kim and mum Jane is the scorer.

The Sewards celebrated by jumping into the swimming pool at their Bognor home.

Kim said: "We've been cricket- mad since Rex Knight, who used to run the club's colts virtually on his own, encouraged Luke to start playing aged seven."

Player-of-the-match Graham Bush took a hat-trick as St Peters were dismissed for 119 in 32 overs.

Felpham, who are based at Bognor CC, slipped from 85-0 to 114-5 before scraping home with eight balls remaining.

Craig Johnson top-scored with 46 and shared an opening stand with Elliott Clarke (30) in 98 degrees. Clarke took 3-17.

Felpham won the under-16s' title in 2002.

Felpham defeated Eastergate, Pagham and East Preston and had a winning draw with Goring. Johnson scored 44 and 50 against Goring and Pagham respectively.

In Shield qualifiers,Toby Margetts (Uckfield) was in superb form against against Lingfield (79), Newick (78). Bells Yew Green (72) and Bexhill (70).

Will Rogers (Bells Green) made runs against Bexhill (50), Newick (57) and Uckfield (85 not out).

In the Bowl, William Adkin (East Grinstead) made an unbeaten 130 and 86 and Sussex player Andrew Thornely (Horsham) hit 112 and 95 and took 4-26 and 4-29.

Midhurst: Ed Atkins, Tom Atkins, Graham Braithwaite, George Adaire, Tom Marriner, Nick Gregory, Warwick Schmidt, Toby Crow, Steve Baldwin, Johnny Goldsmith, Alex Moss.

Findon: Ben Jordan (capt), Graham Manser, Felix Jordan, Alex Nielsen, Bradley Bridson, Michael Quest, David Muldoon, Jamie Lewis, Jack Metters, Matthew Longhorne, Micky Demetriou.

Felpham: Luke Seward (capt), Graham Bush, Elliott Clarke, Craig Johnson, Liam Geoghegan, Liam Maskell, Tom Mirrien, Gary Chandler, James Chadburn, Finlay Coxen-Smith, Tom White.

Clubs: Bowl: Eastbourne, Glynde and Beddingham, Preston Nomads (Fulking), St James' Montefiore (Ditchling), Balcombe, East Grinstead, Findon, Horsham, Three Bridges, Chichester, Littlehampton, Middleton, Midhurst, Stirlands.

Shield: Bells Yew Green, Bexhill, Lingfield, Newick, Uckfield, Burgess Hill, Cuckfield, Ifield, Keymer and Hassocks, Pulborough, Brighton and Hove, Portslade, St Peters, Worthing, Worthing Chippingdale, Eastergate, East Preston, Felpham, Goring, Pagham.