Sophie Hoskins became the first female to compete in the Sussex Junior Under-16s Festival when she helped Horsham defeat Brighton and Hove in the Bowl final at Arundel.

Sophie, who celebrated her 15th birthday during the group matches, was voted Horsham's best player after claiming ten wickets in the competition.

She said: "I have no problems with the boys. They accept that it is ability, not the fact I'm a girl, that matters. But in my previous age group some boys were annoying because they thought every time I made a mistake it was because I was a girl."

Horsham coach Paul Baker said: "Sophie is an outstanding cricketer. She is in the team on merit as her best player award proved."

Horsham, who at one stage were 168-4, scored 204 all out in the final. Sam Attfield (41), William Ripley (30), Mark Darbyshire (29) and Matt Simpson (29) all made important runs, while Dominic Harris took 3-31 for Brighton and and Hove.

Phil Taylor scored 20 as Brighton and Hove, who were chasing a hat-trick of titles, reached 76-5 after 19 overs when rain stopped play. Horsham were 102-2 at the same stage and declared winners. Sam Cushing claimed 2-16.

Horsham, Brighton and Hove and Chichester were group winners in the Bowl event. Chichester missed out on a place in the final because of an inferior runs to wickets ratio.

Horsham: Mark Darbyshire, Matt Simpson, Sam Attfield, Ollie Wassell (capt), William Ripley, Gareth Williams, Ross Barnett, Sam Cushing, Brandon Ovington. Colin Swetman, Sophie Hoskins.

South Bersted and Bognor won the Shield competition.

Captain Phil Ball scored an unbeaten 63 as they set a target of 140 in the final against Balcombe at Middleton.

Ryan Denyer (4-20) and Michael Howard (3-18) impressed as Balcombe were dismissed for 128.

Manager Kim Seward said: "Phil put in a captain's innings because we were struggling when he arrived at No.6.

"We're delighted because we'd never won the trophy before. It was a great team effort."

South Bersted and Bognor lost their opening game of the festival against Eastergate, who had Ben Clilverd to thank for victory. He claimed 7-4 in an 8.4-over spell that included five maidens.

Portslade also recovered after a poor start. They were swept aside by a Bexhill who totalled 241-9 as Luke Warman scored one of his two centuries during the week.

But they overcame Buxted Park by four wickets in their last game. Sam Jones hit 102 not out in their total of 160-6 after dismissing Buxted for 159.

Organiser David Brownrigg said: "Portslade's improvement is a classic case of what the festival is all about. They hadn't played in the festival for a long time. But they had a chance to improve by being able to play all week."

South Bersted and Bognor and Balcombe qualified for the final after finishing top of each group in the Shield.

There were 27 clubs involved in 62 games in the 36th year of the Festival.

Clubs who competed in the Bowl included: Eastbourne. Glynde and Beddingham, Lewes Priory. Brighton and Hove, St Peter's (Hove), Crawley, Three Bridges, Horsham, Ifield, Burgess Hill, Preston Nomads, Stirlands, Chichester, Middleton, Findon, Worthing.

Shield: Balcombe, South Bersted and Bognor, Bexhill, Buxted Park, East Grinstead, Balcombe, Portslade, Lingfield, Eastergate, Shoreham, Goring, Keymer and Hassocks.