While Jeremy Boyse starts a new life in Australia, his former team-mates at Lewes are facing a bleak future.

Last Sunday's 6-1 defeat at home to Firebrands sent Lewes to the bottom of National League division one and relegation is a stark reality.

There are still six matches to play, starting with tomorrow's clash with Brooklands at the Southdown Club, and plenty of time to get out of trouble but Lewes have to start winning soon.

With Boyse as skipper, Lewes finished runners-up in division one two years ago and missed out on a play-off place to the premier division last season after losing on the final day of the campaign.

But Boyse has since emigrated to Australia. He was married last month and has just accepted a job as development officer for New South Wales hockey.

Younger brother Alistair also stopped playing hockey last summer and the loss of both players has been obvious.

Their father, Peter, remains Lewes manager and he is now trying to engineer an escape from relegation. Peter said: "If we can get one win that would give us a degree of confidence and we could start to play well again."

Boyse senior admitted he had spoken to Alistair about a return but the player is not too keen.

Rory Jervis, a former goalkeeper who now plays outfield, could be given a chance tomorrow after scoring twice for the seconds last week.

East Grinstead will be without skipper Jon Perriss for their match at home to Hounslow and Ealing in division two.

Teacher Perriss has commitments with a school match which also rules out student Jamie Pearce.

Player-coach Ian Pattison will take charge of a Hurstpierpoint College side against a Caterham College side featuring Charlie Pine tomorrow morning. Both will then travel to Saint Hill in time for the afternoon league match.

Chichester entertain Maidenhead in the Southern Premier. Danny Jaeger continues his comeback after a year out through injury.

Worthing are still without Andy Allan and Mark Minchell for their match at home to Brighton. Don Turnbull (knee) will have a fitness test for the visitors.

Horsham's Richard Charlesworth looks like being ruled out for the season by a thigh muscle problem.

Horsham visit Gillingham Anchorians tomorrow with skipper Mark Ansell and Ian Brown both unavailable. Robbie Ashton has not returned from Africa but Paul Barlow is back in the squad and Richard Lowe takes over as captain.

Jon Toomer and Ben Firmin are added to the Mid Sussex squad for their match at home to Folkestone. Giles Musson and Mike Dovey miss out.