Travis Head's third consecutive half-century for Sussex was not enough to stop them suffering a heavy 98-run defeat to Hampshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup at the Ageas Bowl.

The Australian’s 52 from 48 balls, which included six fours, was his third consecutive 50 in all competitions for Sussex and made it back-to-back half centuries in the Royal London Cup.

However, Nick Gubbins proved to be a thorn in Sussex's side.

First he scored an unbeaten 131 from 119 deliveries with six fours and five sixes, to help Hampshire post a daunting score of 328-7 from their 50 overs.

Gubbins’ 131 was a List A record for a Hampshire batsman against Sussex.

But then leg-spinner Gubbins stunned Sussex by taking 4-38 as they were bowled out for 230 in 41.2 overs.

Before this Gubbins had taken only one wicket, against Surrey in the Vitality Blast last month, in 183 games as a professional across all formats.

A young Sussex side, with five teenagers and three others aged 22 or under, never looked likely to reach their target.

Their best hope was their fourth-wicket pairing of David Wiese and Travis Head, their most experienced players, who put on 61 in 11 overs.

But Wiese fell to a magnificent catch by Scott Currie at wide mid-off and then Gubbins ended their last hope by bowling Head.

While Gubbins was clearly Hampshire’s batting star he received solid support from Tom Alsop and James Fuller, who both hit half-centuries.

Alsop missed Hampshire’s opening match in the competition due to concussion protocols but he came into the side in place of Tom Scriven and gave them a solid start with fellow opener Tom Prest.

Alsop showed his form when he hit boundaries off each of the first three deliveries of Henry Crocombe’s expensive third over. Alsop and Prest put on 81 for the first wicket before 16-year-old leg-spinner Archie Lenham came into the attack and bowled Prest for 34.

Gubbins brought up the 100 in the 18th over when he swept Head for four and Alsop looked in such good form that it was a shock when he played on to Danial Ibrahim for 68 off 60 balls.

When Hampshire were 169-2 from 30 overs they looked capable of scoring 350 or more. But they managed only 52 from the next 10 overs because of some tight bowling from the Sussex spin trio of Lenham, Will Beer and James Coles.

It took a sixth-wicket stand of 116 in 13 overs between Gubbins and Fuller (54 off 36 balls) to put Hampshire firmly on top.

Sussex’s top order all got starts, but wickets for John Turner, Currie and Fuller prevented them going on.

Ian Holland removed Wiese and Gubbins claimed the next four wickets – all bowled – before fellow spinner Felix Organ (two for 43) wrapped up the innings for 230 meaning Hampshire won with 52 balls to spare.