Runs were not easy to come by under the Hove lights as Sussex Sharks and Lancashire Lightning played out a tense Norwich Union Division Two League match. In the end, it was the visitors who edged home in a game that showed it is not necessary to have a lot of runs to produce an exciting finish.

Sussex Sharks won the toss and elected to bat but were soon in trouble. Glen Chapple took three quick wickets and it was left to Murray Goodwin with an innings of 40 to keep the home side afloat. He only just about managed to do so with wickets falling at regular intervals. The only other batsman to exceed 20 was Matt Prior with 30 and a total of 169 all out in exactly 45 overs did not appear to be a total to cause problems to the visitors.

Despite losing Alec Swann early on, the other batsmen all got themselves in, but then got themselves out. With a rather long tail Lightning must have been concerned when the rate started to rise and every time they appeared to have the situation under control, a wicket fell to set them back in their tracks. Chris Schofield was the man who really settled things down with his unorthodox approach to batting, but it proved to be very effective until he was bowled by Billy Taylor while playing an ungainly and unnecessary stroke. Nevertheless, his innings of 36 was the top score.

James Kirtley bowled an over at John Wood with the batsman only making contact with one ball, but he remained to strike the first ball of the last over through the leg side for four and Lancashire Lightning had eased home by four wickets. With the four points, they keep outside hopes of promotion alive, so close is the grouping in the middle of the table.

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