Tony Cottey successfully returned to action following his recent thumb injury to fire 50 as Sussex 2nd XI beat the MCC Young Professionals by two wickets at Hove.

Cottey, who missed Sussex's one day defeats against Hampshire and Northamptonshire after being struck on the thumb while fielding in the championship win over Kent, batted for an hour in a Sussex run chase.

The former Glamorgan batsman shared a second wicket stand of 83 with Richard Montgomerie (41) as Sussex reached their target of 221 with two of their 50 overs in hand.

Matthew Prior made 40 opening the innings and Cottey struck four fours from 55 deliveries before becoming one of five victims for off spinner Terry Howes.

Howes also removed Montgomerie while Bas Zuiderent (3) and Carl Hopkinson (8) also fell to the same bowler.

Sussex continued to wobble when trialist Ashley Wright fell for only a single, but teenager Andrew Hodd then coolly saw them home.

Hodd hammered three fours and a six in making 21 not out off only 23 balls.

West Indian Darren Sammy (81) and John Walford (50) earlier added 128 for the fourth wicket as the Young Professionals posted 220-8 after choosing to bat.

The pair revived the innings after Paul Hutchison struck twice to help reduce the visitors to 26-3.

Pace bowler Stuart Collier, who plays for Brighton and Hove, later removed both Sammy and Walford, the former being sixth out when caught by Cottey.

Fast-medium bowler Craig Crowe, once with Leicestershire, bowled six overs coming on first change to have 0-29.