Sussex move step closer to promotion

Sussex took another big step towards promotion when they brushed aside the bottom club in the Championship to wrap up their eighth victory.

A target of 248 was put out of Derbyshire's reach by lunch when they crumbled to 35-5 and despite another gritty innings from Luke Sutton, Sussex completed a 130-run win by 3.15pm as the home side were skittled for 117 in 45 overs.

Sutton came within one wicket of carrying his bat twice in the game but he was the last to fall when he swatted at James Kirtley and was caught behind for 54.

But the damage was done by Mark Robinson who made the most of helpful conditions by pitching the ball up and his figures of 5-38 from 15 overs were richly deserved.

Jason Lewry also bowled superbly, claiming 3-18 from 14 overs, and he struck two early blows by removing Steve Stubbings for one and Rob Bailey for three.

Derbyshire never recovered from that and with the ball swinging under cloudy skies, only Sutton stood in the path of Sussex's victory charge.

Skipper Chris Adams was delighted with his team's performance and said: "We know how to win games; once we see a chance we know how to follow it through.

"Mark Robinson is just the man for these pitches. The ball was doing a bit off the pitch and through the air and he's great at keeping the batsmen under pressure.

"It's not cut and dried yet but if we win next week, we should be home and dry. We are now in prime position, not just to go up but to go up in first place."