Champion pair now have eyes fixed oncompleting the season unbeaten

And they moved a step closer that by beating lowly Eastbourne 3rds 5-0 on Saturday although they needed to show plenty of patience after a goalless first half.

Saints started well enough, with lots of good passing and a huge amount of possession. But they failed to convert their chances and it started to get frustrating as half time approach.

But soon after the interval they broke the deadlock with a goal from Ed Marsh and that paved the way for further quick strikes from Alex Waters and George Bazire.

Now that Saints were settled, the performance started to improve and it was no surprise when MoM Waters notched his second and the league’s top scorer Chris Batchelor finally added another to his collection.

Burgess Hill 1st XI ended their first season back in the Premier Division on a high as they hammered depleted bottom Eastbourne 2nds 14-0.

That leaves the hosts seventh out of 10 in the top flight and now expecting a much tougher test this Sunday when they play Eastbourne 1sts in the Sussex Shield semi finals at the Triangle (1.30pm).

It has been a solid return to the Premier and the Hill players were able to enjoy themselves on Saturday against a team already relegated.

They took charge from the off, with Captain Fantastic Georgia Aloof showing further signs of returning to full fitness as her blistering strike opened the floodgates.

Before the break there were further goals from impressive youngster Rebecca Chee (2), stalwart striker Lynne Simmons and midfielder Freya Ward, who calmly dispatched a brace of penalties.

In the second half the rout continued as Aloof, Ward and Simmons completed their hat-tricks, while other goals came from Lily Williams and Tasha Hoyle (2).

Like the Saints 1st team, Burgess Hill 3rds clinched the title last week and now are intent on completing the season unbeaten.

The defence suffered their first real test of the season on Saturday before they finally edged out an experienced and skilful South Downs team 3-2.

Becs Parker scored first and after that Hill were grateful to defenders Chris Maclelland and Debbie Delloson, as well as keeper Jade Prideaux Lacy for two crucial saves before Lucy Hagger made it 2-0 late in the first half after a great pass from Kitty Cleaver.

South Downs recovered after the break and two quick goals put them level. But Hill heads stayed high and if anything, they played their best passing hockey late in the match. The winner came when Jodie Gower and Cleaver combined neatly to play in Tammy Falls.

Now only Crawley this week can deny Hill an unbeaten league season.