Gloucestershire Gladiators virtually secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Friends Provident Trophy at Hove after their day-night game against Sussex Sharks was abandoned because of rain.

The Group C leaders made 306 for nine after skipper Jon Lewis won the toss but Sussex were unable to begin their reply because of a torrential storm during the interval.

Umpires Jeff Evans and Michael Gough left it until 8pm before calling the game off when it was still raining and there was little hope that the ground would dry out in time.

The Gladiators are now four points clear of second-placed Sussex who face a crucial home game against Yorkshire Phoenix on Monday that could decide second place.

Craig Spearman earlier scored his fourth half-century in this season's competition as the Gladiators became the third side to post a score of more than 300 in the competition this season on the batsman-friendly Hove pitches.

The New Zealander made 67 before wicketkeeper Steve Adshead took his side to an imposing total with a rapid 66 not out.

Spearman's unbeaten 68 had helped his side to a comfortable seven-wicket win when the sides met at Bristol last month and the only surprise here came when he totally miscued a pull drive from the first ball bowled by Sussex skipper Mike Yardy to give Luke Wright an easy catch on the midwicket boundary.

He faced 52 balls and hit two sixes and three fours, adding 80 in 13 overs with fellow Kiwi James Franklin for the fourth wicket.

Gloucestershire's earlier progress had been checked by 20-year-old leg spinner Will Beer who took wickets in successive overs.

Alex Gidman was superbly stumped by Ben Brown trying to work the ball into the leg side and Chris Taylor caught behind off an under-edge.

Spearman's dismissal left his side on 205 for five but they plundered another 101 runs in the last 11 overs including 53 after calling their five-over powerplay in the 42nd over.

Adshead smashed nine fours and reached his half-century with a pulled six off Yasir Arafat, his 66 coming from just 45 balls.

Franklin helped him add 53 in seven overs for the sixth wicket with 48 off 58 deliveries before he was bowled slogging across the line at Robin Martin-Jenkins.

It was a tough day for the Sussex seamers with only Wright, who took one for 44 from his 10 overs, escaping punishment.