Sussex paid the price for a poor display in the field as they lost by 18 runs to Surrey at Whitgift School.

The Sharks dropped three catches and failed to take four run out opportunities as Surrey set a target of 203-4.

Rory Hamilton-Brown could have been run out twice before he had scored and went on to make 51 while Steve Davies survived two close shaves on 57 and 58 and went on to finish unbeaten on 99.

Luke Wright and Ben Brown (twice) also put down catches to remove Tom Maynard who made 29.

It proved costly as Sussex failed to chase down Surrey's total despite some explosive batting from Luke Wright.

The England all-rounder smashed 72 from 31 balls, including eight fours and five sixes, to give Sussex genuine hope of pulling off a sensational win.

Ben Brown scored a career best 68 from 52 balls and Sussex were on course at 138-2 after 14 overs.

They lost their way badly in the final six overs though as the gamble to send in Wayne Parnell at numbder five backfired.

He made just six from seven balls while Lou Vincent also struggled to get away the spin of Zafar Ansari as Sussex finished on 185-5.