Hampshire relegated after drawing at Hove

Hampshire's last away day of the 2002 Season saw them relegated to Division II after drawing their penultimate match of the year against Sussex. They went down fighting with a creditable draw at Hove.

Robin Smith and John Francis carried on the good work of the third day, after another rain delayed start had lost 24 overs off the day. Their fifth wicket partnership put on 104, before Francis edged Kevin Innes to the safe hands of Richard Montgomerie for 48.

Wicket-keeper Nic Pothas looked completely out of sorts in his short stay, falling to the same combination for eight.

Finally after making a back-to-the-wall sixty, hitting seven fours in his 158 ball stay, Smith was comprehensively bowled by James Kirtley.

Dimitri Mascarenhas and Shaun Udal both put bat to ball to bring Hampshire past the 400.

Kirtley was the pick of the Sussex bowlers with 6 wickets for 107.

Chris Adams asked Hampshire to follow on after tea, which gave Neil Johnson another opportunity to score a half century.