The average Brit feels like they need a holiday just 29 days after returning from their last one, a study has found.

Fatigue sets in less than four weeks after getting back from a break as the daily grind starts to affect work performance.

Eating more comfort food than usual was named the biggest sign you are in need of a break, along with being jealous at the sight of a friend’s holiday snaps.

And those who don’t get regular breaks admit to feeling more stressed, being less productive and more likely to make mistakes at work.

But the study of 2,000 adults by Holiday Inn Express also found 60 per cent of Brits are now ditching flip flops for trainers and embarking on micro-adventures instead of boozy weekends, as people look to make the most of their time off work.

Mike Greenup, Vice President Brand Management, Holiday Inn Express, said: “Everyone knows getting away can be restorative and help counterbalance our busy work lives.

“But it’s interesting to see just how often people feel they need to be having a break to remain happy, productive and stress-free.

“We have noticed people are seeking out an increasing amount of adventure getaways and experiences that are affordable and easily achievable.

“Many are also looking to make the most of the UK and explore what is in their back yard rather than venturing too far afield.”

Forty-three per cent of people said not having regular breaks leaves them feeling more stressed, while four in ten feel more tired than usual.

Others say they make silly mistakes at work (13 per cent), become less productive (31 per cent) or feel less enthusiastic about work (36 per cent).

But there is a shift in the type of breaks people are booking with many moving away from the stereotypical image of the boozy Brit abroad, with the top reasons for choosing a break away to explore the outdoors or complete a physical challenge.

Hiking is the most popular activity to do on a break, followed by cycling, water sports and sailing.

One in twenty have even booked a break to coincide with an elite sporting event such as an iron man or triathlon.

It also revealed nearly one in three (28 per cent) want to focus on improving their overall health and wellbeing during minibreaks away, while less than 15 per cent want a getaway indulging in food and booze.

And it’s not just the older generations who are embracing active getaways - 62 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds and 72 per cent of Brits aged between 25 and 34 would prefer to embark on a micro-adventure.

Experiencing something new and feeling like they’ve accomplished something were ranked as the top two priorities when booking a trip away, while less than 5 per cent view ‘relaxing with a good book’ as the best way to unwind when on holiday.

Mike Greenup, from Holiday Inn Express, added: “Our hotels provide the perfect base for these micro-adventures - offering a great night’s sleep, a power shower to recharge, breakfast included in the price so guests can fuel up for an action-packed day and free Wi-Fi to share those adrenalin-fuelled moments with friends and family.”

To launch its ‘We Know What Matters’ campaign, Holiday Inn Express challenged three well-known vloggers - Steve Booker, Challenge Sophie and Emilie Lovaine - to go on their own micro-adventures across the UK and document their action packed weekends away. Watch their micro-adventure video highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klDKGeMyqsU

Top ten signs you need a break:

1. Eating more comfort food than usual

2. You get jealous seeing friend’s pictures of their holiday or break

3. You spend more time daydreaming than doing your actual day job

4. You can’t face your to-do list

5. You find yourself looking at old travel pictures over and over again

6. You hit snooze on the morning alarm one too many times

7. You can no longer muster the will to make small talk at work

8. You enter a room and can’t remember what you went in there for

9. You drink more tea/coffee than usual to help you get through the day

10. You oversleep more than once a week

Top ten activities to do on a break:

1. Hiking

2. Cycling

3. Water sports

4. Sailing/boating

5. Mountain biking

6. Climbing/abseiling

7. Skiing

8. Yoga

9. Go-karting

10. Caving

Albion boss Chris Hughton is just focusing on one game at a time in the race for promotion to the Premier League.

The Seagulls are one point behind leaders Newcastle in the Championship with six games to go but Hughton is not looking any further ahead than tonight's match at Queens Park Rangers.

When asked it the title was an aim, he said: "You can't think about it. What we have to think about is a very tough away game tomorrow, followed by another very tough away game against two teams (QPR and Wolves) that are both in really good form.

"You can't afford to think further than the next game because every week there are going to be ups and downs. The results (on Wednesday; Newcastle and Huddersfield winning) certainly show you that everybody is pushing.

"The reality is we're still in a very good position, still pushing and we have a certain amount of games left to make sure we achieve what we want. But there are going to be ups and downs right the way through the season."

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Sidlesham fought back to claim a point when Upper Beeding visited - while Bosham are preparing for a run-in they hope will land them the title.

Read about our SCFL division-two sides below, and get all the local football action in the Observer every Thursday.

Sidlesham 2 Upper Beeding 2

SCFL division two

Sidlesham staged a stirring fightback to claim a point in their first home game for six weeks.

Conditions were almost perfect for football with the pitch looking good and both sides trying to use it.

Upper Beeding, on the back of a 14-match unbeaten run, were to provide a tough test, starting the brighter, and they were soon ahead.

Slack marking in the Sidlesham defence allowed Kieron Stevens to ghost into the box unmarked and finish well.

This seemed to stun the home side and Ben Buckland got away down the right but his great cross was well defended by the away side.

Then Tom Kelly crossed for Tom Bayley but he seemed to scuff his shot and the keeper gathered, Bayley crossed for Kelly, who somehow missed from five yards out.

Beeding threatened on the break but most of the pressure came from Sidlesham.

The second half was more lively with the home side straight on the attack fbut without causing the away keeper too much trouble.

Beeding got the second against the run of play when a forward was upended by Dale Hayes and the free-kick by Jack Whittington found its way through the wall and into the net.

Sidlesham piled more and more pressure on in the final quarter and Dan Bassil slotted home after Callum Dowdell’s fine run and cross.

Bayley had a half-chance – twisting and turning in the box, he forced the keeper into a smart stop down to his right.

The visitors should have increased their lead but couldn’t beat Connor Kelly when a forward was through on goal.

In the last few minutes, after a succession of corners, Hayes rose highest to head home a deserved equaliser with 89 minutes on the clock.

Saturday sees Sidlesham on their travels to Jarvis Brook, who must win to keep alive any title hopes.

The following week Sids complete their home fixtures with Montpelier Villa the visitors.

Bosham boss Andy Probee is calling on the community to get behind the club as they close in on the SCFL division-two title.

The Robins need four points from their remaining three fixtures to guarantee the honour – though could clinch it this Saturday if they win at home to Roffey and Jarvis Brook fail to beat Sidlesham.

Probee is keen to see a healthy crowd at Walton Lane for the Roffey game (3pm) and again when Sidlesham visit on Easter Monday, April 17 (11am). A trip to Cowfold concludes the campaign on April 22.

The player-manager said: “We’ve had a great season so far, but Roffey and Sidlesham will be two really testing games for us – seeing some more local support could really help lift us over the line.

“Since Neil (Redman) and myself took over, we’ve won the Division Two Cup twice, but this year the league has been our primary objective, so to win that would really be the icing on the cake.

“The last couple of games have been challenging at times as we were without a recognised goalkeeper, but Callum Fewell – our normal centre-half – has stood in and been tremendous keeping two clean sheets.

“Nick Edgington’s also been brilliant when called upon – strength and experience in getting us through games away at Westfield when we were down to the bare bones, and again last week at Roffey. It’s these sorts of games that end up making the difference.

“We’ve kept the same spine to the side for a while now, and they all work hard for each other – experienced players at this level like Matt Docherty and Bradley Miles, who has been phenomenal for us this season with his (17) goals from midfield.”

Leading scorer Marco Giambelardini has scored 32 times from 29 starts, but the side have shared the goals about, with just two more needed to bring up the century.

So often with grassroots clubs, the manager wears many hats, and Probee is no different – also taking the mantle of groundsman in preparing the excellent Walton Lane pitch – which is once again up for the Sussex FA Groundsman of the Year award at step seven – an honour he has won for the past three years.

Apart from spells managing Sidlesham and Chichester City’s reserves, Bosham has been a real labour of love for the 37-year-old, having started as a youth player himself in the late 1980s, managed by father Bob – now the club president; with late grandfather Dennis, the former club Vice President.

Winning the title would be bittersweet for the village side, as they are unable to meet step six ground-grading requirements to claim promotion, something Probee is philosophical about:

“We know we can’t go up without lights and a stand, which is a shame, but we’ve got a great bunch here and a great little set-up.

“We’ve seen the likes of Kieran Hartley (now at Chichester City) come through, and we’ll continue to develop players and do things the right way – the lads deserve this (title) for their hard work on the pitch as much as the committee do for their efforts off it.”

SIMON JASINSKI

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As the saga of the digger stuck in the sea off a Sussex beach continues, one company has come forward to say they could get the machine back to shore in less than four hours.

What’s more, they want to drive it out.

The elevator excavator, which was being used in the construction of the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, has been stuck in the sea off Worthing beach since Tuesday.

Richard Tully, managing director of exavactor repair specialist Atlas Technical Services, said: “If they just left me to it I could have that out of the sea in under four hours.

“It is the environmental policy that is going to delay it,” he added.

What do you think the stranded digger should be called? Click here to vote.

According to Richard, the digger could be salvaged by bringing a power pack out to it in a boat and connecting it up.

The digger, which is designed to operate in water, could then be driven back to shore.

He added: “I would literally connect my cable up to it and power that machine out of the sea.”

Watch the video above to see Richard’s company using a power pack to move a similar excavator that could no longer move by itself.

“We can do everything from above as long as there is no damage to everything below the water, which there won’t be.”

Richard said the operation would cost somewhere in the region of £85,000.

While he says it is not a cheap job, he added £85,000 is considerably less than the cost of hiring a crane barge, salvage crews and divers to to the job.

“We are specialists in moving dead excavators right up to 2000 tonnes.

“I have just come back from Kazakhstan from an 850-tonne Hitachi,” he added.

Richard added that there was a similar case in Hastings in 2001: “It was exactly the same. The excavator had been in the sea too long and its coupling seized up.”

His company connected it up to power and drove it out of the water.

“It’s what we do,” he said.

Video credit: Atlas Technical Services

Many Sussex people will have taken part in Red Nose Day 2017 last month which raised an astonishing £71 million

This is money that will help transform the lives of some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people both on our doorstep in the UK and across some of the world’s poorest communities. Sussex Community Foundation has been helping Comic Relief distribute the funds raised by a generous British public, here in Sussex, since 2009 and have made just shy of £800,000 worth of grants on their behalf.

Following this year’s Red Nose Day, Comic Relief has made a further £16,000 Community Cash fund available to communities across Sussex. Grants of £500-£1,000 are available to small organisations in Sussex that are doing great work to help local people living tough lives. Groups like the Oromo Community in Brighton, run by and for Oromo refugees.

The Oromo is an ethnic group originating in Ethopia who came to Brighton as refugees in September 2006 under the Home Office’s Gateway Protection Programme which works in partnership with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Around 85 members of Oromo community live in Brighton & Hove. “We are originally from Ethiopia and our tribe name is Oromo,” says organiser Awel Harun Abdo. “Having fled our country because of the political situation, we lived in a refugee camp in Kenya until we came to United Kingdom.” Practically, it was very clear that the community needed continued support from each other to settle into life of Brighton & Hove and so the group was founded in 2007. They received a £1,000 grant from Comic Relief Community Cash in 2015 to pay for three community gatherings, including their AGM.

“The big gatherings are very important,” says Awel. “In our culture, neighbours eat together and share meals every day. We grow up, eating together, speaking together and playing together. When we came to this country, we were all split up and lived far from each other. Having time to spend together, socialising, sharing food and supporting one another, is extremely important for us. One of our group members has two children and has not been able to find a job. This means he can never afford to take his family out for a meal. Being able to come and share food with his family and friends is really, really important for him. It has made people more enthusiastic and positive. We would like to thank you very much for your support for the Oromo community to help us live our lives in Brighton & Hove over the last 10 years.”

These small grants really do transform the fortunes of the local organisations they benefit. There are so many groups in Sussex which are a vital resource for the community and do a massive amount on very little money. For details on how to apply, visit www.sussexgiving.org.uk/communitycash. The deadline for applications is Friday 5th May.

Sussex Cricket’s board have come out in favour of plans for a new city-based T20 tournament.

They met to consider the resolution from the ECB Board to amend the ECB Articles of Association to allow for the new eight-team competition to begin from the 2020 season.

Sussex’s board have agreed to support the proposal after receiving further information and assurances regarding the long term future of the 18 first-class counties.

Since September 2016, Sussex has sought certain guarantees from the ECB regarding:

* The future of the Specsavers County Championship

* The continuation of the NatWest T20 Blast which will not be played at the same time as the new competition

* The continuation of county cricket during the new competition

* That no county names or brands will be used for the eight new teams

* That the governance structures within the ECB be reviewed to ensure that any future changes to the professional game can be decided only by a significant majority of the 18 FCCs and the MCC.

Rob Andrew, new CEO of Sussex Cricket said: “This is a very important time for the long-term future of English cricket. There are significant opportunities to appeal to a wider audience and the next generation of boys and girls and to inspire a lifelong passion for cricket.

“The future of the first-class county structure and its critical role in the development of cricket must also be protected and enhanced by providing financial sustainability over the long term.

“We believe we have been given the necessary assurances by the ECB which protects the interests of everyone associated with Sussex Cricket, and we now look forward to working together with everyone in English cricket to build a bright future.”

The city T20 plans have divided cricket followers, players and officials – with some believing the contest is vital to take cricket to a new generation of fans and others fearing it marks a major threat to the county structure.

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The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from March 20 to 24, 2017.

Ian Hudson, 31, of Greenfields, Wick, was given a ten-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting harassment in Littlehampton between September 3 and 30, 2016. He must pay £500 compensation, £115 victim surcharge, £150 costs, and was given a restraining order.

Bradley Porter-Wingate, 23, of Wick Street, Littlehampton, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting assault by beating in Angmering on September 19, 2016; and damaging a television socket. He must pay £40 compensation, £50 victim surcharge, £125 costs, and was given a restraining order.

Charlie Bartholomew, 22, of Priory Field, Upper Beeding, was fined £50 and must pay £50 costs after admitting breaching a community order, which will continue.

Alexis Poupard, 33, of Guardian Court, Rogate Road, Worthing, must pay £65 costs after admitting breaching a suspended sentence order, which was varied to include an additional 30 hours’ unpaid work (total 120 hours).

Timothy Evans, 33, of Blenheim Road, Yapton, was discharged conditionally for six months and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting disorderly behaviour while drunk in Bayford Road, Littlehampton, on March 4, 2017.

Samuel Golby, 29, of Conbar Avenue, Rustington, was fined £120 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drug-driving (223ug/l benzoylecgonine) in Norfolk Road, Littlehampton, on January 16, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was fined £40 after admitting driving without a licence and fined £120 after admitting driving without insurance.

Christopher Holland, 27, of Mill Lane, Wick, was fined £300 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drug-driving (3.8 Delta-9-THC) in Connaught Road, Littlehampton, on January 15, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 36 months.

Jamie Weller, 32, of Orme Cottages, Arundel Road, Angmering, was fined £240 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting failing to stop after an accident which caused damage to another vehicle and a brick wall in Summerley Lane, Felpham, on January 1, 2017. His driving record was endorsed with five points. He also admitted driving without due care and attention, no separate penalty.

Ruth Longley, 58, of Canterbury Road, Worthing, was fined £128 and must pay £200 compensation, £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving without due care and attention in Terringes Avenue, Worthing, on December 9, 2016. Her driving record was endorsed with four points.

Aaron Humphreyies, 19, of Woodside Road, Worthing, was given a community order and must carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm in Worthing on December 3, 2016. He must pay £250 compensation, £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Matthew Rigglesworth, 20, of Greyfrairs Close, Salvington, was given a community order and must carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm in Worthing on December 3, 2016. He must pay £250 compensation, £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Susan Saunders, 47, of Homewood, Findon, was fined £120 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (108mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Findon Road, Findon Valley, on November 24, 2016. She was disqualified from driving for 16 months. The bench was satisfied drinks were spiked without her knowledge.

Steven Whiteside, 44, of Manning Road, Wick, was fined £120 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting failing to provide a specimen for analysis when required by police in Worthing on March 7, 2017. His driving record was endorsed with ten points. He was fined £80 after admitting resisting a police constable in Littlehampton on March 7, 2017.

Tobi Chipper, 19, of Brecon Close, Salvington, was fined £120 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving without insurance in West Parade, Worthing, on July 20, 2016. His driving record was endorsed with six points. He also admitted driving without a licence, no separate penalty.

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The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from March 20 to 24, 2017.

Sam Garrett, 32, of Beachlands, Albert Road, Bognor Regis, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work after admitting harassment, breaching a restraining order, by sending text messages in Bognor Regis on September 13, 2016. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £350 costs. He also admitted breaching a suspended sentence order, which was extended for six months.

Zack Morrison, 28, of Brook Meadows, Hambrook, must pay £20 victim surcharge, £65 costs, after admitting breaching a community order, which was revoked. He was discharged conditionally for 12 months for the original offence of producing three plants of cannabis.

Timothy Evans, 33, of Blenheim Road, Yapton, was discharged conditionally for six months and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting disorderly behaviour while drunk in Bayford Road, Littlehampton, on March 4, 2017.

Ryan Morris, 21, of Bradshaw Road, Chichester, was fined £200 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (52mg alcohol in 100ml of breath) in The Street, Halnaker, on January 29, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He also admitted driving without a licence, no separate penalty.

Harrison Scott, 23, of Manor Farm Cottages, South Mundham, was fined £190 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting possessing cocaine in Chichester on March 4, 2017.

Jamie Weller, 32, of Orme Cottages, Arundel Road, Angmering, was fined £240 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting failing to stop after an accident which caused damage to another vehicle and a brick wall in Summerley Lane, Felpham, on January 1, 2017. His driving record was endorsed with five points. He also admitted driving without due care and attention, no separate penalty.

Sean White, 67, of Drove Park Cottages, Church Road, Singleton, was fined £409 and must pay £40 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (64mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) on the A286 Singleton on February 28, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Daniel Mulheron, 22, of Bridgewater Close, Billingshurst, was fined £200 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (48mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Whiteways car park on March 4, 2017. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Ricky Austin, 30, of Sea Way, Pagham, was fined £293 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting possessing 140.79g cannabis and 6.46g cannabis resin in Bognor Regis on December 15, 2016.

Jason Lyne, 46, of Sandringham Way, Bognor Regis, was fined £120 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £300 costs, after being found guilty of assault by beating in Bognor Regis on October 29, 2016. He was also given a restraining order. He was also found guilty of a second charge of assault by beating in Bognor Regis on October 29, 2016, no separate penalty.

Gediminas Burnys, 36, of Fitzleet House, Queensway, Bognor Regis, was fined £305 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £400 costs, after admitting failing to provide a specimen for analysis when required by police in Chichester on November 26, 2016. He was disqualified from driving for 26 months.

Karen Bzhetaj, 44, of Moraunt Drive, Bognor Regis, was fined £40 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Broadwater Road, Worthing, on August 3, 2016. Her driving record was endorsed with three points. She must pay £40 victim surcharge and had her driving record endorsed with three points after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Marine Parade, Worthing, on August 3, 2016.

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A Bronze Age settlement and part of the ancient Chichester Entrenchments have been unexpectedly uncovered.

Archaeologists excavating land to the north-west of Chichester over the last few weeks have made the exciting discovery.

Investigations have revealed a Bronze Age enclosure which dates to circa 1,500 to 1,000BC, with features that contained large sherds of well preserved pottery.

Equally significant is the unexpected discovery of a previously unconfirmed section of the Chichester Entrenchments – a series of huge, earthworks which were constructed around the city from the later Iron Age, circa 100BC onwards.

Jon Sygrave, project manager for Archaeology South-East (UCL), said: “We’ve uncovered a section of the Chichester Entrenchments, which probably infilled during the mid Roman period.

“The section we found is about 9m wide and 2.5m deep and would have had an associated huge earth bank.

“The entrenchments show that Chichester was a significant area during the Iron Age over 2,000 years ago, before the Romans settled there.”

The boundary of the Bronze Age enclosure is shown in this aerial photograph as the two dark, perpendicular lines coming down from the top of the 3,500sqm excavation site.

The thick vertical line shows the previously unconfirmed section of the Chichester Entrenchments.

The archaeological investigations have been undertaken by Archaeology South-East, UCL, on behalf of MGJV and Southern Water ahead of the proposed installation of a new main sewer.

A 1,600-home development is planned nearby, with 750 homes already approved.

Mr Sygrave added: “As archaeologists we don’t get the chance to investigate the entrenchments very often, as most known sections are Scheduled Ancient Monuments and protected under law.

“This was a previously unknown section so it’s an important find in the history of Chichester.

“We’ve only just finished on the site and we’ve made quite a lot of interesting pottery finds which should provide good dating evidence.

“Once we’ve had the chance to clean and study them we’ll know more.”

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A horrified mother has spoken of her outrage over the sentence given to man who attacked her five-year-old son.

Nadia Winnifrith said her son Ryder was ‘booted in the stomach’ as they walked through Crawley town centre.

Leslie Turner, 39, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assaulting the youngster by beating at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, said Sussex Police.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison.

A court document said: ‘Committed to prison for 16 week. Reason: Offence so serious because unprovoked attack on a 5-year-old boy’.

Sussex Police confirmed the boy was kicked.

Nadia said her son had been left traumatised by the attack which happened in February. She felt the sentence was too lenient.

She said: “He booted him in the stomach. Literally we have been in town two minutes. We were walking along without a care in the world and he has just booted him.”

Nadia had gone out for the day with her two boys.

They had spent the morning at the dinosaur park in Southwater Country Park before getting dropped off in town by a friend to go and get their hair cut.

It was on the walk to Lloyds Barbers, in High Street, that they crossed paths with Turner.

Nadia said: “She dropped us where Road Radio is. He was walking along as if he had just come from the Asda store heading towards the church.

“We have literally walked from Road Radio to the opening of where the church is and didn’t even make it to the hairdressers.”

After Ryder was attacked, Nadia grabbed both children and ran.

“I literally took the boys into the hairdressers and I screamed,” she said.

Police arrived and arrested Turner.

Nadia said Ryder has been having nightmares since the attack, constantly asking, ‘Why has the bad man kicked me?’

She said: “He was waking up crying, thinking the man would come and get him. It was shocking. I was traumatised.

“We had been at the park, had a nice day, went to get our hair cut and we’ve been attacked in the town centre.

“It would traumatise any adult let alone a child.”

Turner appeared at court on February 22.

He was also ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge.

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Chichester go into the final two games of the rugby season in a desperate fight to stay in the National leagues.

They have vowed to give it all they’ve got – but their fate is now out of their hands.

The Blues slipped into the bottom three in National three London south east when Guildford recovered from being 31-10 down to win 37-31 at Oaklands Park last Saturday.

That means Chi almost certainly have to win both their last games – away to Colchester this Saturday and at home to Westcombe Park on April 22 – to stand a chance of staying at this level for a fourth straight season.

Even then they will be depending on other results going their way.

They head to Essex this week with Southend three points in front of them and Sutton & Epsom five ahead.

They need to end the season in front of at least one of those two to scramble clear of the relegation zone.

Blues head coach Rob Lawrence said a tense few weeks were ahead for the club.

“We have two very big games coming up,” he told the Observer. “It’s out of our hands but we need to concentrate on doing all we can to affect the outcome by winning our two games.”

It’s been a topsy-turvy season for Chichester. They have won games they didn’t expect to – and lost ones they should have won. Saturday’s loss was not the first time they had let a good lead slip.

Lawrence said: “We’ve played some excellent rugby but have sometimes failed to close games out when we should have done. That’s been the case in a handful of matches.

“We’ve been a little unlucky with injuries – both during games and over the season as a whole – but all teams get injuries. Some quite bad injuries have hampered us.

“We’ve not been at our best at times and we have to accept that. But for now we have to focus on the quality we can bring to games.

“The quality of the league has increased, so has the amount of investment some other clubs are able to make, but we still believe we can compete at this level.”

Saturday’s game at Colchester is against a side already doomed, but Lawrence knows it could still be a tricky test.

Last up, a fortnight later, is Westcombe Park’s visit to Oaklands, which, if the relegation issue is still up for settling, will require a huge swell of local support for the Blues. Westcombe Park are third but cannot finish in the top two.

Relegation rivals Southend are at home to Westcombe Park this weekend while the other team in Chi’s sights, Sutton, visit mid-table Westcliff.

Last Saturday was the ideal opportunity for the Blues to take a big step towards safety but Guildford completed an impressive comeback to win a bewildering game.

They scored 27 points without reply in the last 22 minutes, helped by Chichester having only 14 men after two harsh yellow cards.

Lawrence said whatever happened over the final two games, the end of the campaign would be the time for the club to reflect on the season. “Regardless of the outcome we won’t be talking a rebuild, more a refocus. We’ve had 17-year-olds in the first XV this season, and quite a few of them, and we are building something that’s great for the future.”

STEVE BONE

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Police are appealing for witnesses after a defibrillator cabinet was smashed outside the British Heart Foundation in Burgess Hill.

The vandalism happened sometime between Saturday March 25 to Sunday March 26, outside the charity shop in Church Walk, according to Tony Parris of the Burgess Hill District Lions Club.

He said: “Some kind person smashed the perspex area on the door. It is now out of commission till further notice.

“It looks like we will have to purchase a new cabinet.”

A Sussex Police spokesman confirmed officers ‘were looking into the incident’.

If anyone has any information please contact the police on 101.

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The Rotary Club of Haywards Heath recently hosted their annual Youth Community Service awards.

The awards are to celebrate the younger members of the community who live up to the Rotary’s motto ‘Service above Self’.

Students (pictured) who received the awards for going the ‘extra mile’ in helping others in the community were: Charlie Cressey and Ella Grindon from Oathall Community College, Ellie Rodgers and Mirriam Allaby from Warden Park and Toby Brand and Abigail Ramsey from Ardingly College.

Vice president Tim Briggs and tutors from the academy and colleges are also pictured.

Each student received a gift voucher and framed certificate in recognition of their efforts.

Further details about the Rotary Club of Haywards Heath can be found via www.haywardsheathrotary.org.uk.

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A social landlord has been accused of ‘cruel’ and ‘shabby’ treatment of vulnerable tenants after forging ahead with evictions before alternative housing is found.

Hyde served residents of Kingsway, in George V Avenue, Worthing, with the first stage of eviction proceedings in January, amid a dispute with Worthing Borough Council over safety issues with the temporary accommodation.

The council struck an ‘in-principle’ agreement to avoid continuing with the evictions until the residents were rehoused.

But 14 families were unexpectedly issues with new eviction letters on Thursday (April 6).

Elentari Manning, 26, who lives with her three-year-old daughter, Maisy, said: “It just seems really cruel.

“We were all very upset. I suffer from mental health problems and it’s just not helping – it’s added stress and pressure.

“We don’t know who to trust any more. Hyde has given us false hope.”

Marine ward councillor Paul Yallop said Hyde’s behaviour was ‘shabby’ and claimed it was trying to avoid the expense of providing safe accommodation.

He said: “It seems the desire for making profit is being put above the social purpose of the landlord. Despite promises to the contrary they are now proceeding to throw vulnerable families onto the streets.”

The council continues to seek alternative accommodation for those affected.

Miss Manning said residents – some of which had been stuck in the temporary housing for nine years – feared they could end up back in emergency housing, like a bed and breakfast.

Council director for communities Mary D’Arcy said: “Discussions with Hyde have been ongoing to support the managed exit of tenants from the Kingsway property. This included an ‘in-principle’ agreement not to issue blanket eviction notices to all tenants, while the two parties sought to take this matter forward.

“Unfortunately the Council became aware on Thursday that notices had been issued to all tenants and we are at this time seeking to understand the background to this change in approach.”

Residents need to be moved to carry out works on the property, according to Hyde’s head of housing Tony Morgan.

He said Hyde had done ‘everything possible’ to support the council in relocating those affected.

“We understand the situation is stressful for the residents affected and would like to reassure them that we will keep them updated, providing advice and support throughout,” he said.

“The 14 households who have received the eviction notices are not expected to pay court fees related to this action. We remain focused on working in partnership with the local authority to find a positive way forward.”

Gatwick Airport celebrated World Autism Awareness Day on Tuesday (April 4).

Staff from across the airport came together, including police, firefighters and immigration officers, to show their support.

More than 30 families attended the event, designed to give children and adults with autism and their carers and families an overview of airport processes before they travel.

Maria Cook, Gatwick’s autism ambassador, said: “I am so proud to be Gatwick’s autism ambassador and to play a part in the airport’s Hidden Disability Assistance Programme and official autism friendly accreditation.

“I hope to see other UK airports follow Gatwick’s lead and establish official autism-friendly programmes of their own.

“The number of people in organisations across the airport who have volunteered their free time to be part of the awareness day has been overwhelming, from those working for airlines and security, to the emergency services, special assistance and terminal teams.

“Across the board everyone involved wants to pro-actively improve their provision for people with autism.

“It has been a mammoth team effort behind the scenes to make this day happen and I would like to thank everyone involved.”

Travelling through an airport can be a challenge for people affected by autism and the event held in the North Terminal allowed families to ‘check in’, ride on assistance buggies, meet trained security dogs and the police, watch the x-ray machines in action and talk with staff about travelling with autism.

Anyone who requires assistance when travelling through Gatwick is encouraged to contact the airport’s special assistance team or their airline.

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Action involving Nyetimber Pirates, Lavant, Newtown Villa, Unicorn and Lamb Steyne features in our latest round-up from the West Sussex League and Chi & West Sussex Sunday League - plus there’s news of a big fundraising event at Petworth FC.

Read all the reports below, and get involved by sendin your reports and team pictures to steve.bone@chiobserver.co.uk

Nyetimber Pirates 4 Ewhurst 1

Centenary Cup QF

The Pirates cruised into the semi-finals of the cup with a 4-1 win over division-two side Ewhurst.

A first-half goal from leading scorer Phil Turner sent the looters into the break 1nil up in what was a disappointing half for Ted Griffins side.

Despite the poor showing in the first half, the Pirates came out stronger after the break and were quickly 2-0 up when goalkeeper Warren Pye’s long kick played in Scott Towers who slotted home.

Ewhurst had a couple of chances but were denied by Pye.

Andy Cox was next on the scoresheet when he raced through powering his effort past the Ewhurst stopper.

Karl Westbrook finished off the scoring for the Pirates when his long-range effort found its way in off the crossbar.

Nyetimber will face high-flying Angmering Seniors in the semi-final.

Pirates: Pye, Linkhorn, Williamson, Hamm, Towers, Haga-Hammond, Urquhart, Turner, Cox, S Towers, Fallick. Subs: Chester, Pasterfield, Westbrook, Angell.

* Pirates Reserves have made club history by winning their first Saturday title.

Jamie Walter’s side claimed the division-three south crown when West Chiltington failed to raise a side. The reserves lost only one league game all season and finished two points clear of nearest rivals Elmer, who have also been promoted to division two.

It’s the first time a Pirates side have won a league title since the CWSSFL premier-division win in 2010-11 and the first title a Looters team have claimed since they switched to Saturdays.

Boss Walter, who was the keeper in the 2010-11 title-winning side, said: “It’s not the way we’d like to have won it by getting a phone call, but of course we are delighted to have finally done it.

“We’d rather have won it by winning our last game but if you had given us that option at the start of the season I would have snapped your hand off.”

The reserves can complete a famous double this week as they play the Bareham Trophy final against Real Milland.

Lavant 2 Newtown Villa 0

WSFL premier

Lavant defeated Bognor side Newtown Villa as they consolidated second spot in the league.

Following injury to home keeper Ash Court, they had to call out of retirement veteran stopper Neil Sanson to fill the void and he had a couple of moments to show he is still very capable despite being the wrong side of 40.

Villa started well, seemingly finding an extra man on many occasions and stretching Lavant’s midfield. Despite having much more of the ball Villa rarely threatened and when they did break the Lavant lines, Sanson was on hand to deny them.

Lavant changed back to their traditional shape and they were soon in to their rhythm, popping the ball around and causing the opposition to chase shadows.

Chances came but Pete Caveney and James Sandford failed to convert.

Five minutes before the break Lavant broke the deadlock. Sandford fired the ball into the box in search of Dan Baker and after a bit of a scramble the ball bobbled in. Baker tried to claim it but most thought it was an own goal.

The second half saw Lavant enjoying their football on a beautiful afternoon.

Lavant were awarded a glorious opportunity after Baker was man-handled in the area and a penalty kick given. Caveney struck it hard and low to the keepers’ right but the Newtown stopper was equal to it.

Lavant were still probing for that all-important second and, when it came, what a fine goal it was. Great interplay between Hawkes and Baker led to a slide-rule pass into Sandford, who slotted home.

Another positive for the home side was the return of Paul Jones off the subs’ bench for his first appearance since injuring his knee at the turn of the year.

Lavant: Sanson, Grace, Augustus, Lyttle, Wright, Stevens, Brooks, Sandford, Caveney, Hawkes, Baker. Subs: Cieszynski, Mclaren, Jones.

* Petworth FC are holding a spring race night at the pavilion on Saturday (April 8). There is a 7pm start with the first race off at 7.30pm. Entrance is £7 including a sausage-and-chip supper.

This is an important fundraiser for the club so they are hopeful of getting good support – and punters can offset any losses suffered on the Grand National earlier in the day.

Unicorn United 8 Lamb Steyne 1

Invitation Cup

Dale Hayes kept his cool to convert a last-gasp penalty which sent the Unicorn into the semi-finals of the Invitation Cup on a high.

The U needed to win by seven goals to top the Ron D Robin group and get a home draw in the last four.

A Michael Woolstone hat-trick, another from Hayes and one each from Alex Barclay, Harry Abraham and Matt Hill put them on course for success before close neighbours Lamb Steyne got one back.

Unicorn chairman Dave Phillips said: “We kept plugging away but it was a close shave and Dale did well to hold his nerve.

“The Lamb made us work hard and refused to fold while Dean Cooper did well to continue playing for them after a severe bang in the face in a goalmouth collision. We play Avisford in the semis and still have a chance of winning four trophies.”

Unicorn: Belcher, J Barclay, Chick, Byrne, Hampton, Aldridge, Abrahams, Hayes, Clarke, A Barclay, Woolstone. Sub: Hill.

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Despite having two goals correctly chalked off in the first half for offside, including one himself, Murray popped up once again to net a crucial goal in the Seagulls' promotion push just before the hour-mark.

After a dull first half, Seb Pocognoli, on his return to the side, curled in a cracker of a free kick into the top corner with his first goal in England to double Albion's lead.

Both sent the 3,219 travelling fans into raptures as they took over at the top of the table with a two-point lead again.

It was made nervy for them, however, as Matt Smith headed home a corner with 16 minutes remaining. And nervy it was as Rangers threw everything forwards and had a number of near misses.

Second-placed Newcastle face a trip to Sheffield Wednesday in the late kick-off on Saturday, while Huddersfield, who sit third and are 12 points behind Albion, are away to Nottingham Forest.

Rangers made a staggering seven changes from the team that lost 1-0 at Aston Villa on Tuesday night including handing Ravel Morrison his first start since returning to the club.
The hosts also named former Albion defenders Grant Hall and Joel Lynch in their starting XI.

Albion made two changes as Steve Sidwell came in for Beram Kayal and Pocognoli returned to the team in place of Gaten Bong. Both were rested alongside Liam Rosenior, with no injuries reported.

Vegard Forren was also named on the bench for the first time having joined the club as a free agent in March.

It could have been a third change for Albion as Lewis Dunk, who came off through illness against Birmingham on Tuesday night, pulled out of the warm-up and went off with Albion medical staff.

But although Fikayo Tomori took part in the rest of the warm-up, Dunk appeared with the teams ahead of kick-off.

In a cagey start, it took until the 12th minute before we saw the first shot, but Ryan Manning did not get enough on his attempt curled effort and Stockdale collected easily.

Albion began to ease into gear and Anthony Knockaert picked up the ball on the left and cut inside to Dale Stephens. The central midfielder fed Bruno on the wing and his cross bounced dangerously in the six-yard box, just ahead of Glenn Murray.

In the 26th minute, Solly March drilled in a low effort after the ball fell to him from a corner, but it failed to trouble Alex Smithies. Soon after, Tomer Hemed miscued an effort in the 18-yard box.

QPR were presented a great chance on the half-hour mark as a Sidwell pass across the halfway line was cut out by Conor Washington and the striker drove forwards to the edge of the box and lashed just over the bar.

Albion had a goal disallowed on 33 minutes as Knockaert's cross was turned home by Murray, but the celebrations are quickly cut short by the assistant's flag with the striker narrowly offside.

Moments later, at the other end Stockdale was down well to save Manning's curled shot, while James Perch's half-volley after a free kick was crucially blocked away by Bruno.

Two minutes before the break, again, Albion had an effort correctly chalked off for offside as Hemed slid home Pocognoli's driven flat cross.

Perch then somehow escaped without a yellow card just before the break as his studs up tackle on Pocognoli warranted just a talking to in the opinion of referee Simon Hooper.

Dunk despite battling through the first period, didn't make the second half as was replaced by Tomori.

At the start of the second half, Knockaert was crowded out after a long ball forwards and a March effort was deflected behind. On 55 minutes, Stockdale grasped a dangerous header at the back post from Matt Smith as he rose highest.

The deadlock was broken on 58 minutes as Murray raced through onto a Hemed ball, bore down into the box when one-on-one with Smithies and coolly finished.

Just eight minutes later it was 2-0 as Pocognoli curled home a fantastic free kick from the corner of the penalty area into the top corner.

Back at the other, Smith forced a parry from Stockdale and the ball was cleared away for a corner, but from the resulting set-piece the striker's backwards header found the top corner to set up a nervy closing stages.

Rangers piled on the pressure and substitute Yeni Ngbakoto went close, Washington lashed over after a scramble and Stockdale denied replacement Idrissa Sylla with a block on the line.

Rangers players and supporters were unhappy with what they felt were time-wasting tactics from Albion, who ran down the clock, but there were another five added minutes on which the visitors held out.

Brighton: Stockdale, Bruno, Hunemeier, Dunk, Pocognolia, Knockaert (Norwood 83), Sidwell, Stephens, March, Hemed (Murphy 78), Murray. Unused subs: Skalak, Murphy, Forren, Tomori, Akpom, Maenpaa.

QPR: Smthies, Onuonha, Lynch (Sylla 77), Hall, Perch, Luongo, Manning, Robinson (Ngbakoto, 65), Morrison (Freeman 65), Smith, Washington. Unused subs: Bidwell, Goss, Wszolek, Ingram.

Attendance: 16,503 (3,219 away).

Referee: Simon Hooper.

Chris Hughton has said each Brighton & Hove Albion win becomes their 'biggest' yet as they close in on automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Goals from Glenn Murray, his 21st of the season, and a sublime Seb Pocognoli free-kick gave Albion a 2-0 lead at QPR tonight.

Chris Smith set up a very nervy 15 minutes with his headed goal, but Albion just about held out for a 2-1 win to go two points clear at the top of the Championship and 12 ahead of third-placed Huddersfield.

Hughton also admitted he expects the promotion battle to be a close affair.

He said: "As each game goes by it seems like this is the biggest win and that will probably be the same next Friday with the Wolves game and the games after that.

"I think the manner of how we won as well when we were under a lot of pressure in the last 20 to 25 minutes - Matt Smith is a real handful up front and with Dunky off the pitch as well.

"But we managed to cope with it, we rode our luck a little bit, but I felt we had a bit ourselves to break away and increase that scoreline.

"I thought it was going to be a tight game and it would be some moments that would change that, we fortunately got the moments. I see next Friday being equally, equally as tough as this one.

"I think it will be close (the promotion race), we have teams below us that are all pushing, we need to win enough games to keep the gap as what we need to.

"We still have five very tough games and will need to be as good and as concentrated as we were this evening to get results in these other games."

Lewis Dunk was forced off through illness at half-time having pulling out of the warm-up, but braving on.

Hughton revealed he had trained fine on Thursday, but said: "It's real tough one as you have to have to rely on information from the player and sometimes when you get a tough lad like Dunky, he wants to play.

"He completed the warm-up didn't feel 100 per cent , but said he'd give it a go. He'd done great in the first half, but by half-time he couldn't continue, but Fikayo Tomori has come on and done great again."

Sebastien Pocognoli revealed the reason he took Albion's match-winning free kick was because he had a good feeling as soon as the set-piece was awarded.

The Seagulls' left-back scored for the first time since netting for Standard Liege, in August, 2010, as Brighton won 2-1 at Queens Park Rangers.

Speaking afterwards, the Belgian international said: "I had a good feeling before the shot, I don't know why. I went across the pitch to take it and everybody was probably thinking 'what is he doing?'.

"But it's my favourite place to shoot from and actually at my past club, I sometimes took free kicks and corners. That is my quality but I haven't practiced a lot this year but I'm happy.

"I just said to Anthony (Knockaert) 'let me shoot' and we have a good relationship, so he said okay. He tried to explain something for me to do quite technically but I told him I didn't understand what he was saying to me, even in French.

"I just said 'please let me take it' and it was a goal and a nice moment."

"For me, it was one of the best feelings because I don't score a lot of goals."

Glenn Murray hit Albion's opener on 58 minutes, before Pocognoli made it 2-0 six minutes later. Matt Smith got a goal back for Rangers but Albion held on and Pocognoli said: "I don't like to talk only about the goal. As a team, we played very good with another change in defence again, with Dunky (Lewis Dunk) going off and Fikayo (Tomori) coming in with Uwe (Hunemeier), the stability of the defence was very good.

"Also Siddy (Steve Sidwell) and Dale (Stephens) did great work just in front of us. For sure, my free kick was important for the final result but I'm very happy for the lads and also for me because I was injured and worked so hard to be back because I want to be part of the very important games."

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WHEN NOT IF?

Three wins in six days has taken Albion to the brink of promotion to the Premier League. Nine points from their final five games will be enough to take the Seagulls up - and that's if Huddersfield win all seven of their remaining matches.

Brighton are back on top of the Championship, two points ahead of Newcastle, and 12 points ahead of third-placed Huddersfield, who travel to Nottingham Forest this afternoon.

Albion are on the verge of returning to the top flight of English football for the first time since 1983.

TIGHT CALL

Twice in the first half, Albion had efforts ruled out by the assistant referee's flag. But both were proved to be the correct decision by the replays afterwards.

First, Glenn Murray turned home a Anthony Knockaert delivery on 33 minutes and ten minutes later Tomer Hemed slid the ball in from Sebastien Pocognoli's low drive but the celebrations were cut short quickly both times.

HALF-TIME TALKING POINT

A challenge late in the first half by James Perch on Sebastien Pocognoli had some fans questioning the leniency of referee Simon Hooper.

Perch caught the Seagulls left-back with a nasty challenge but escaped without a booking. The replays suggested Perch was lucky not to be carded, while some refs may well have shown a red for the tackle.

PLAYING THROUGH ILLNESS?

Concerns were raised just before kick-off as Lewis Dunk pulled out of the warm-up and was led away by the Albion medical team. The central defender was taken off after half an hour of the Birmingham City win on Tuesday, with Chris Hughton later revealing he had been suffering with illness on Monday.

Dunk had been feeling better during the week and despite the pre-match drama when Fikayo Tomori stood in during the warm-up, the home-grown player came off at half-time after he could obviously give no more.

A battler, warrior and very likely future Albion captain.

SIX-YEAR WAIT

Sebastien Pocognoli's first goal in English football was also his first for more than six years and it was certainly worth the wait.

The Belgian international had not scored since August, 2010, when he netted for Standard Liege. Moves to Hannover 96 and then West Brom followed without a goal and Pocognoli then joined the Seagulls on loan from the Premier League Magpies in August.

In his 18th appearance for Brighton, he curled a stunning free kick from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner. He could not have hit the shot any sweeter and was mobbed by his Seagulls team-mates as they celebrated in front of the away fans.

LOUD AND PROUD

The Albion fans did not stop singing throughout the game. The Seagulls had more than 3,000 fans at Loftus Road and they went through their full rendition of songs. Their celebrations were twice cut short by the offside flag in the first half but they grew gradually louder throughout the second period.

Goals from Glenn Murray and a stunner from Sebastien Pocognoli had the Seagulls fans singing 'we're on our way to the Premier League' at the full-time whistle.

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