Hamilton-Brown leads Surrey win

Surrey 122 for 2 beat Sussex 121 for 8 by eight wickets
Scorecard

Surrey kept their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Friends Provident t20 alive with an emphatic victory over leaders Sussex at Arundel.

Skipper Rory Hamilton-Brown hit an unbeaten 87 as the Lions chased down Sussex's total of 121 for 8 with eight wickets and 10 balls to spare. Sussex remain top of the table on run rate and despite a fourth defeat in five games are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals thanks to results elsewhere.

The home side's hopes of setting a big total after winning the toss were hit as they lost a wicket in each of the opening four overs. Matt Prior was caught on the boundary by Gary Wilson in the first over from Andrew Symonds for a duck and Ed Joyce followed when he was bowled by Chris Tremlett.

Chris Nash was lbw first ball to Symonds who finished with figures of two for 18 and Murray Goodwin was caught behind off Tremlett to leave Sussex on 20 for four after four overs. Dwayne Smith hit a quickfire 21 before he was lbw to Chris Schofield who also had Joe Gatting caught on the long on boundary for 16 to finish with figures of two for 15.

Only some stubborn batting from Ollie Rayner and Chad Keegan ensured Sussex were not dismissed for under 100. The pair put on 36 for the eight wicket with Keegan making 26 and Rayner 25.

Sussex needed early wickets if they were to stand a chance but James Kirtley dropped Hamilton-Brown at mid off when he had made just four. The Surrey skipper made Sussex pay as he dominated a first-wicket stand of 41 with Steve Davies.

The introduction of spinners Rayner and Will Beer gave Sussex brief hope as they picked up the wickets of Davies and Jason Roy respectively in quick succession. Stewart Walters (24no) joined Hamilton-Brown to snuff out any chance of an unlikely win for Surrey. The pair put on 80 for the third wicket with Hamilton-Brown bringing up his 50 off 42 balls with five fours and a six.