Carl Hopkinson hit a competition-best 69 not out to lead Sussex to the final of the C&G Trophy with victory over Hampshire under the Hove floodlights.

Hopkinson and Mike Yardy (41) shared in a stand of 95 as Sussex, set 255 to win, reached their first Lord's final since 1993 with seven balls to spare.

Hampshire, who chose to bat, failed to make the most of a storming start.

James Kirtley, ignored by England, took 5-43, demolishing the tail with some brilliant yorkers delivered at pace.

Kirtley took three wickets in one over at the death as Hampshire imploded after a brilliant stand of 106 in just 12 overs between Michael Carberry (71) and Sean Ervine (45).

After 15 overs of their innings we were dead and buried Sussex captain Chris Adams

Sussex skipper Chris Adams said: "I can't give enough credit to the youngsters in the side.

"It's going to be a great day out for us so bring on whoever.

"After 15 overs of their innings we were dead and buried.

"But we responded well as we have done throughout the course of this competition."

Hampshire, who needed to win to have any chance of reaching the final, lost John Crawley for two but Carberry and Ervine put them in a good position.

Ervine went on to hammer eight fours in making 45 from 35 balls before new-signing Yasir Arafat had him caught at square-leg while Carberry hit two sixes in his 71 before he was caught in the gully off Yardy.

Dimitri Mascarenhas (42) and Nic Pothas (43no) took them past the 250-mark by sharing a sixth-wicket stand of 73.

But the innings ended tamely with Kirtley bowling Shane Warne, Shaun Udal and James Tomlinson for ducks in his final over.

Sussex's chase began well under Richard Montgomerie and Matt Prior, who put on 95 for the first wicket.

But four wickets fell quickly as Hampshire's spinners applied pressure before Hopkinson and Yardy provided the final push.