Comeback stars Sussex just failed to topple Derbyshire in their British Inter-County League match.

They went down 19-17 in their top of the table clash despite a series of fightbacks which earned three of the four Sussex teams a share of the spoils.

In the end, the opening match between the ladies' B teams proved to be the difference between the sides.

They were beaten 4-2, their points coming from Lucy Johnson, whose 3-1 victory included a 180 and 16.62 ave-rage, and Tina McGovern, who won in straight sets.

The men's B team came from 4-2 and 6-4 down to square their match 6-6, which meant Derbyshire led 10-8 overnight.

Paul Eves was man of the match with a 26.37 average. He won 3-0 and hit a 180 and a 177.

Ian Burnett and James West also won in straight sets, brothers Andy and Jason Hills both won 3-1, and Adrian Gray won in five sets.

The ladies' A team went two down before hitting back to finish 3-3.

Chrissy Allen, who was top lady with a 16.82 average, and Donna Rainsley both won 3-2, while Carly Blay raced to a straight sets win.

The men's A team also stormed back to draw their match, winning the last four games, but going three down did the damage and at 6-2 Derbyshire were sure of victory overall.

Steve Barraclough was man of the match with a 26.11 ave-rage, while Rod Hawkins pro-duced arguably the best per-formance to win in straight sets.

Geoff Taylor also won with-out dropping a set, while Steve Agate and Matt Chapman won 3-1, and Barraclough and John Nisbet finished 3-2 winners.