Chichester are quietly confident of thriving at the highest level of league rugby they have ever played.

But, whatever happens in the new London One next season, they look forward to trying their luck as divisional champions Chi clinched the London Three South West title in style on Saturday by beating a decent Guernsey side 40-21 at Oaklands Park.

With second-placed Wimbledon being shocked by London Irish Amateur, the West Sussex club are now six points clear with one game to go.

Senior rugby manager Paul Colley was reticent about discussing promotion until it had been achieved.

But, with the title secured, he was delighted to praise his side.

He said: “We respect our opponents and do not celebrate anything until it has been achieved.

“I found it quite motivating to read what some other teams in our division were saying.

“Guildford were talking about being on course for the title, Wimbledon referred to themselves as the best team in the league.

“I used that when I talked to our guys.

“What makes you the best team is winning the league and we are six points clear and, quite rightly, celebrating a momentous achievement.

“We now go up to level six and it will be the first time for us as a club.

“It’s what the club wants and needs and it will be a step up in intensity, week in and week out.

“I think we are capable of playing at that level. Again, you don’t want to say much before you play the matches but we are confident we can do quite well.”

Chi hit in-form Guernsey with four tries in the first 20 minutes and also finished strongly after the Channel Islanders had the better of the middle section of the game.

Colley said: “The first 25 minutes was probably the most intense, high tempo rugby we have ever played.

“We scored four tries against a side who were tackling, not just letting us through.

“There were 13 passes for the third try. At our level of rugby, to excecute that and score a try is virtually unheard of.”

Ben Polhill (2), Paul Todd (2), Ross Fairbairn and Phil Dickin scored tries for Chi and Jamie Knowles converted five.

Bognor went down 21-15 at home to Effingham and Leatherhead.

Hove have set their sights on beating Chichester in the final of the Sussex Trophy after seeing their own promotion hopes slip away.

Wins from their last two games would have secured Hove second place in London Three South East and, at worst, a play-off.

Instead they fell at the penultimate hurdle, losing 19-13 at Warlingham having led by four points.

Sam Whiting’s penalty and his conversion of Adam Phillips’ try put them 10-6 up.

The four-point lead was restored by Matt Sole’s drop goal on 51 minutes.

Lewes went down 30-21 at Purley John Fisher despite tries from Ben Hamer (2) and Eugene Gerrard.

Eastbourne lost 41-18 at home to Aylesford, having gone 18-7 up early in the second half before tiring.

Nathan Ring landed four penalties and James Coulthard and Danny Craven slotted excellent drop goals but Eastbourne wasted three great try-scoring chances they created down the slope in the first half.

Heathfield and Waldron could still nick second place in London Four South East.

They won 43-3 at home to Whitstable while Bromley were going down narrowly to unbeaten leaders Tonbridge Juddian.

Heath’s Mark Hassall said: “All we can do is win our last game at Crowborough.”

Bromley finish with a trip to East Grinstead.

Matt Skinner collected two tries and four conversions in Heath’s latest win. Seb Jones, Tom Sheffield, Tim Evans and Sam Thewlis also scored tries.

Crowborough had a 25-10 win at Horsham as Walters (2), Crouch and Bowles scored tries. Palmer added a penalty and a conversion.

Hastings and Bexhill were beaten 29-19 at home by Beccehamian in their foot of the table battle.