Lawrence Prittipaul struck a chanceless unbeaten 175 to put Hampshire on top in the 2nd XI championship match against Sussex at Hove.

Hampshire, replying to Sussex's 285, claimed a lead of 69 by making 354 and Sussex lost Andy Perry for a duck in closing the second day on 41-1.

Medium-pacer Carl Hopkinson, who finished with 4-61 from 14 overs, grabbed the early wickets of opener James Adams and Jason Laney before Prittipaul held his side together with a disciplined innings.

The 21-year-old from Portsmouth put on 111 for the sixth wicket with Iain Brunnschweiler (43) and also dominated half-century stands with James Hamblin (17) and Irfan Shah (19).

Off-spinner Stephen Ades bowled former Sussex player Hamblin and Zac Morris (11) on the way to taking 2-83 from 28 overs.

Left arm fast bowler Glen Read got through 20 overs to have 2-69, his first victim being opener Andy Sexton who was trapped leg before for 56.

Hampshire fought back after losing their first four wickets for 86, and Hopkinson struck first by having Adams (7) caught behind. Laney later cracked a short ball from the same bowler straight to Tim Ambrose at cover point for a duck.

Sussex suffered an early shock when they batted for a second time as Perry fell before he had scored, edging a widish delivery from Jamie Scofield to wicket keeper Brunnschweiler.

SUSSEX will play Cornwall in the third round of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy after the minor county beat Cheshire by three wickets in their delayed second round tie at Camborne yesterday.

Meanwhile the first day of the county's three-day friendly against Cambridge University was abandoned in mid-afternoon after heavy rain left the Fenner's outfield unfit.