Brighton and Hove continue to dominate the Sussex Girls Development League with both the Starlings and the Gulls winning again on Sunday. The Starlings won at Mid Sussex Fillies 4-0 to maintain their perfect winning record this season while the Gulls left it late before recording a 2-1 win over Horsham Hotstars.

Clare Cook reports: "A bouncy flock of Starlings met at The Triangle for a tight game against the Fillies. We had a five-minute on-pitch warm up due to previous matches running late but started strong, disciplined, focused and energetic.

"Some lovely creative play from the whole team led to us being 3-0 up at half time after which we switched backs with forwards and still scored another goal, extending our unbeaten run to 15.

"Thanks to Alice for umpiring, parents for their tireless support and the girls for their smiles, positivity and capacity to enjoy each and every week."

The Gulls remain second in the table behind their flying clubmates. Sue Everton reports: "Last match of the day started late and played in the most horrendous conditions - torrential driving rain. The weather didn’t dampen spirits and a hard fought match ensued at a fast pace throughout.

"Our midfield dominated the play and a scramble in front of the goal finished by a tight angle flick by Nia S put the Gulls ahead. The Gulls had a few penalty corners but were unable to convert. The opposition drew level in the second half from a penalty corner and thereafter struggled to break through the strong midfield. The Gulls launched endless drives up the pitch but the goals just didn’t come.

"With 10 minutes to go, centre mid Olivia T made a fantastic run into the D and a thumping strike into the left hand side of the goal gave us a 2-1 lead and so it finished! Thanks to our spectators and the umpires, Amanda and Alice for enduring the inclement weather too!"

Brighton and Hove Prep School are kind enough to let the club play in their annual schools under-10 tournament and, as Clare Hamburger reports, this was always going to be a tough tournament for BHHC's juniors, with many of the team playing for their own schools.

"The team was composed of a few U10s and a selection of U9s and for some this was their first tournament," she said. "The U9s played fearlessly and deserve praise for their positive attitude and work ethic.

"We drew our first game 1-1 against Farlington. Sorrel was in goal for the first time ever and was helped with a great save from Josie on the line, preventing us from going 2-0 down before Izzy scored a lovely goal to earn a hard fought draw.

"The second game was a 4-0 defeat against Brighton College. Goalkeeper Innes covered brilliantly to stop a stream of on target shots and Polly taking quick 16s to keep the opposition on their toes! Brighton College kept a mean defence with Sorrel twice going close.

"Game 3 v Great Walstead - we lost 2-0. Ivy was in goal with a lovely shot stop. We used our space better here and more time on the ball as the girls listened to positioning advice, playing a wider game. Sorrel, Beatrix and Izzy all worked hard, with Izzy forcing the keeper to save twice. Holly and Leilani really improved throughout the games and started to move out wider and go towards to ball more.

"Game 4 was v Brighton and Hove Prep where we lost 5-0. Beatrix played well in goal, and was up against tough competition - some of their usual club players! We came close to scoring twice with Sorrel and Polly linking up nicely for a shot on target.

"Izzy was awarded our team player of the day. Well done to the girls today for turning up with a great ‘can do’ attitude. All girls were willing to swap positions with Sorrel, Innes and Beatrix in goal as well as Ivy who played for us in her when her team weren’t playing. I must make a special mention of Innes, who played despite being unwell and even volunteered to go in goal."

In the Sussex Boys Development League, the Flippers went down 5-3 to Horsham Hotshots.