Chichester are celebrating a double success after a wonderful weekend for Sussex hockey.

The county can boast four new national champions including Chichester ladies who claimed the National Trophy at Old Loughtonians.

East Grinstead ladies added to that success by beating fellow Sussex side Lewes in the National Vase final while Horsham under-18 girls and Eastbourne under-18 boys won national age group titles in their finals in Sheffield.

For Chichester, it was an extra special weekend as their men also won the Sussex Cup, beating Brighton and Hove 3-2 thanks to a golden goal in a thrilling final at Eastbourne.

Chi ladies were emphatic 8-3 winners in their final against Broxbourne, having raced into a six-goal half-time lead. Verena Sambel and Claire Greenway each scored hat-tricks while Charlotte Cox and Anna Page were also on target.

Skipper Greenway said: “It is a fantastic achievement for the club and the first time Chichester ladies have reached such a level.

“It was a great day for the players and spectators and I am pleased we were able to put on a display for the crowd by winning in style.”

East Grinstead beat Lewes 5-3 at the same venue to claim the Vase and complete a great season for the ladies, who have made huge progress indoors and outdoors, despite being in the shadows of their all-conquering men’s first team.

Captain Vicky Griffiths said: “For one hockey club to win three national titles (two for the men, one for the ladies) in one season is tremendous.

“This is the beginning of our journey. We are hoping to get to where our men are. That is a long way off but this is the start of it.”

East Grinstead missed out to Lewes in the race for the Sussex League title but got their revenge with goals from Ella Kenny (two), Allison Hayes, Bryony Bray and Griffiths giving them victory. On target for Lewes were Suzie Clapp (two) and Tiffany Musgrave.

The men’s Sussex Cup finals weekend at Eastbourne proved a big success with seven trophies being decided.

The main event saw Brighton fight back from 2-0 down to take the game to extra time before Will Blockley hit Chichester’s winner.

Blockley opened the scoring in the first half and man-of-the-match Jack Lerwill added a second. Brighton replied in the second half through Sam Rose and Andrew Acott, who had another good chance before Blockley hit the winner deep into the second period of extra time.

Chichester coach Ben Barnes said: “It has been such a good season. To finish with a highest ever points haul for the club and miss out on the title, this was a just reward for the team’s efforts.”

Chichester claimed a third trophy over the weekend when their veterans beat Worthing 5-4 in their final thanks to goals from Mark Pacey (two), Andy Savory, Simon Morgan and Simon Palmer.

Colin Danns (two), Peter Baker and John Massie scored for Worthing who took consolation by winning the Plate final where they beat Southwick 11-2 with goals from Mike Gubbins (two), Alex Warner (two), Ben Burriss (two), Grant Sawyer (two), Mark Humphries, Chris Lowen and Cerdic Atkinson. James Kifford and Chris Harris replied for Southwick.

To complete a marvellous weekend for Sussex, East Grinstead trio Glenn Kirkham, Christian Pryce and Adam Harper were in the Wessex Leopards side that won gold medals in the Great Britain Super League with five wins out of five.

Other finals – 2nd XI: Eastbourne 0 Brighton and Hove 2 (Luke Williams, Ross Hardwick); 3rd XI: East Grinstead 10 (Olly Johnson 4, Andy Metcalf 3, Cameron Maynard, Henry Howell, Keith Turner) Worthing 2 (Simon Holloway, James Cook); 4th XI: Brighton and Hove 4 (James Grimes 2, John Childs 2) Horsham 0; Under-21: Eastbourne 2 (T.Caulfield, Mike Cosma) Chichester 0.