C&G Trophy, Chelmsford: Sussex 298-5 (48.4 ovs) bt Essex 296-6 (50 ovs)Murray Goodwin led Sussex to a five-wicket victory over Essex to top the C&G Trophy Southern Conference.
The visitors looked doomed for defeat when they lost their fourth wicket for 56 in reply to a total of 296-6.
Skipper Ronnnie Irani batted through the Essex innings to record an unbeaten 132, with 11 fours and three sixes
Goodwin ran out his captain, Chris Adams, but hit a career-best 158 not out from 151 deliveries to lead Sussex home with seven balls to spare.
Despite his misfortune, Adams called Goodwin's ton the best one-day innings he had ever seen.
"I told him to stay out there and got on with it - and he did that to produce a wonderful effort," he joked.
"It puts us in a great position to finish top of the table and book our place in the final at Lord's.
"Three wins from our remaining five matches should be good enough - but I know you can never take things for granted."
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