Sussex 2, Kent 27 SUSSEX'S quarter-final dreams are virtually over after they let slip a nine-point second half lead at Roundstone Lane on Saturday.

A superb try from half-time replacement Justin Looney helped put the hosts 22-13 up going into the final quarter of their County Championship group match.

But they were hit by two converted tries and were unable to salvage victory in a spirited late onslaught.

Sussex now face the daunting prospect of travelling to Banbury next week to meet group leaders Oxfordshire, who have piled up more than 120 points in their two away games. Skipper Nick Killick said: "It was disappointing, but we are a re-building side and a lot of new boys got their chance and did well. It still looks pretty good for the next couple of years."

Richard Billings was drafted in at outside centre and enjoyed a profitable first half, setting up Jon Graham's early score and also finishing well after a midfield miss move. Sussex led 12-6 at the break but former Worthing flanker Nick Oldham scored on his old home ground to edge Kent ahead.

Then Looney, a tactical substitute for Billings, took centre stage with ten unanswered points to seemingly set Sussex up for victory.

Sussex: A. Cook, Cole, Billings (Looney 40), Benstead, Young (Goodburn 77), Graham (Ashwin 72), Dyson; Pepper (Sherwood 60), Killick, Sheppard, Turner (Atkin 45), Dinsdale, Wattam, D. Cook, Levett. Unused reps: Denslow.

Sussex scorers: Graham 1T (8) 1C (36), Billings 1T (36), Looney 1T (50) 1C 1PG (64).

Sequence: 0-3, 5-3, 5-6 12-6 (HT), 12-13, 15-13, 22-13, 22-20, 22-27.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.