Pulborough may be piling up the points but it is their defensive record which has delighted skipper Will Lawes.

The Rectory Lane outfit now look near certainties to finish top of Sussex Two West.

Only Royal and Sun Alliance are standing the pace, though Boro have already beaten them this season.

Even if RSA take the honours in the return match, they will need to win all their games and pile up some huge margins to nick the title.

Lawes' men had conceded just two tries in nine games ahead of today's Intermediate Shield semi-final with Rye.

That includes an interception score by a Barns Green side who they beat by a 100-point margin.

The skipper said: "Our defence has been near unbreakable and other teams have commented on that.

"Even when we beat Norfolk Arms last Saturday we had to defend a few scrums near our line, which we did successfully.

"There is a lot of heart in the club."

They will be feeling even better if they have clinched a place in the senior Sussex Trophy by beating Rye this afternoon.

Mixed fortunes for the Bush family as Old Brightonians ran Seaford close in Sussex Two East.

Winger Gerald Bush, who at 42 probably qualifies as a veteran, scored the try which put OBs 5-0 up away to the leaders.

But their cause was not helped when Gerald's son Anthony, their primary source of lineout ball, limped off after just five minutes with a knee injury.

Seaford, themselves short of several regulars, went on to win 11-5 and now look set to clinch the title.

The Salts outfit also appear to know how to pout on a show.

They have been commended by the county for their staging of the recent Junior Plate final, which Midhurst won with a late conversion to beat BA Wingspan.

"Better fireworks than Twickenham" was the comment at a county committee meeting.

Roy Lewis produced an excrllent first team debut in the defeat of OBs.

Paul Sandeman was near perfect as Hastings and Bexhill put 64 points on Sussex Police last week.

Sandeman kicked eight out of nine conversions and and slotted his only penalty attempt.

Added to a try, that made 24 points for the H&B scrum half.

Ben Polhill is learning all about the responsibilities of captaincy this weekend.

The Chichester skipper vowed to have a quiet evening in last night ahead, despite the fact that it was his 23rd birthday.

He was determined to be in top shape for today's friendly run out with Dorking.

The match was seen as important preparation ahead in Chi's final push for the Sussex One title.

Polhill said: "Now I'm skipper I will have to set the right example."

Don't be surprised if he enjoys a spot of light refreshment after the game, however.