WORCESTERSHIRE suffered a setback to their totesport League Division Two promotion hopes when they went down by 18 runs to Sussex in a rain-affected match at Hove.
Stephen Moore struck a steady 76 in nearly two and a half hours to help revive second-placed Worcestershire, but 99-2 in 15.1 overs was enough to see the Sharks through on the Duckworth/Lewis scoring method.
Opener Moore compiled seven fours and a six from 111 balls as Royals posted 203-8 after choosing to bat on a bouncy pitch.
James Kirtley and Robin Martin-Jenkins took two early wickets each before the South African-born Moore shared in a battling fifth wicket stand off 83 in 19 overs with Australian Andy Bichel.
Bichel had reached 42 when he attempted a fatal reverse sweep off a delivery from off-spinner Mark Davis.
Gareth Batty helped Worcestershire pass the 200 mark by thumping 22 off 14 balls before being stumped off former Pakistani Test leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed.
Two lengthy downpours left Sussex with a target of 117 from 20 overs.
More rain further reduced the target and Matt Prior and Murray Goodwin punished some sloppy Worcestershire fielding to guide their side to victory.
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