Chichester have been knocked out of the Shepherd Neame Sussex Cup.

They lost by eight wickets at Brighton and Hove on a day when most fixtures were wiped out by the rain. Chichester struggled against tight bowling to make 149-7, with skipper John North hitting 43 against the bowling of seamer Tim Howe (2-21) and young off-spinner Stephen Ades (3-36).

Neil Marchant (57 not out) led an effective run-chase, with support from Sussex youngsters Dominic Clapp (32) and Bas Zuiderent (29 not out) and they eased home at 150-2.

East Grinstead are through after beating Eastbourne at the Saffrons. Grinstead were led by 45 from new South African signing Bobby Nicholson and there was support from teenage left-hander Neil Turk (34) and two men better known for their bowling, as Stuart Simmonds hit 37 and Pete Mills 36.

A delayed start meant the match was reduced to 40 overs a side so Eastbourne needed some positive batting to reach a target of five and a half per over. Australian Tim Ambrose hit 42 in his first game for the club and David Kirtley, brother of Sussex pace bowler James, made 36. But the other batsmen failed and a final score of 203-8 meant the former winners were the first club to go out of this year's competition.