Sussex Sharks are back in relegation trouble after losing by 49 runs to leaders Yorkshire Phoenix in the National League division one at Scarborough yesterday.

The county are fourth off the bottom, just one position away from the relegation zone after suffering a batting collapse. They lost their last eight wickets for only 28 runs after Michael Bevan and captain Chris Adams had forged a century stand for Sussex's third wicket.

Sussex were destroyed by all-rounder Gavin Hamilton who produced the goods with bat and ball as Phoenix stretched their lead at the top.

Hamilton made an unbeaten 57 from 58 balls including two sixes and six fours, in the home side's total of 192-8.

He then wrecked Sussex's innings, following the departures of Bevan and Adams, with a second spell in which he took five wickets for 13 runs in four overs to finish with final figures of 5-34.

The turning point came when Hamilton ended a classy innings of 67 by Australian Bevan, who had struck a six and seven fours from only 69 balls, with the first delivery of his second spell.

Bevan's stand with Adams was worth 113 runs in 26 overs to put Sussex on course, but within a few minutes the innings had developed into a procession back to the pavilion.

Hamilton took three wickets in the space of 11 balls and, in among the carnage, came the crucial dismissal of Adams, who was run out for 47 by Vic Craven, fielding as substitute for Darren Lehmann.

Lehmann was unable to field because of back spasms, but had already made a priceless contribution in rescuing Yorkshire from a dreadful start in which they lost both openers in the first two overs.

The Aussie was soon reeling off the boundaries through the covers and off his legs and went on to hit 80 from 99 balls, with seven fours, before mistiming a pull at former Yorkshire bowler Mark Robinson to be caught at wide mid-on.

But after his departure, Hamilton increased the pressure on the Sussex bowlers and both he and James Middlebrook hit James Kirtley for six in the last over of the innings.

RESULTS: Norwich Union NCL: Division One: Northampton: Northamptonshire Steelbacks 195-9 v Kent Spitfires 190 (Dravid 68, Innes 4-36). Northamptonshire Steelbacks beat Kent Spitfires by 5 runs. New Road Worcestershire Royals 188-8 (Driver 52) v Lancashire Lightning 191-8. Lancashire Lightning beat Worcestershire Royals by 2 wkts. Division Two: Southend: Essex Eagles 289-5 (Peters 73 no, Jefferson 65, Napier 52) v Glamorgan Dragons 285 (James 88 no, Newell 78, Maynard 61, Cowan 4-44) Essex Eagles beat Glamorgan Dragons by 4 runs. Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire Outlaws 288-4 (Bicknell 115, Gallian 84) v Surrey Lions 225-3 (N Shahid 109 no). Nottinghamshire Outlaws beat Surrey Lions by 63 runs. Edgbaston: Warwickshire Bears 233-8 v Derbyshire Scorpions 189 (Di Venuto 84, Dagnall 4-34). Warwickshire Bears beat Derbyshire Scorpions by 44 runs.