ACTION man look-alike Andrew Hall was Kent's all-action hero at Hove where Spitfires landed an emphatic 112-run win over Sussex on Sunday to take a giant stride toward the Friends Provident Trophy semi-finals.

The South African all-rounder hit 123, his highest one-day score for the club as the visitors scored 264 for nine, then followed that by taking a wicket with his first ball of the reply to set Sussex on the slide toward a disappointing reply of 152.

Hall trapped Michael Yardy leg before with his first delivery of the Sussex innings, had Chris Nash superbly caught low down at slip by Martin van Jaarsveld and later held a catch in the deep to account for top-scorer Matt Prior for 76 to end any lingering hopes Sussex had of reaching their target.

Hall's six overs returned two for 21, Yasir Arafat three for 20 against his former county while James Tredwell again impressed with two for 44 on a day when Kent's fielders caught everything that came their way to skittle the hosts out in 33.4 overs.

But it has to be said that, after laying decent foundations, Kent were ultimately disappointed with their 50-over total of 264 for nine.

At the 40-over point Spitfires had cantered 208 for four and had their sights firmly set on posting 300-plus.

But through poor shot selection and, in Hall's case, fatigue, they fell away thereafter losing five wickets for only 56 runs in the closing 10 overs of the innings.

Against a seaming and swinging new white ball neither Geraint Jones (7) or Darren Stevens (12) look totally comfortable in their roles as one-day openers and it came as no surprise when Jones steered one to slip and then when Stevens got a leading edge to backward point, both against the slippery bowling of James Kirtley.

Hall and Martin van Jaarsveld (29) settled the ship with a steady third wicket stand of 67 that ended when the latter clipped one to mid-wicket to bring a surprising end to his 31-ball stay.

Skipper Rob Key took on van Jaarsveld’s role as second fiddle to Hall's shot-making and through sensible play at little or no risk they added 107 in 21 overs.

The only blip came whenever Key tried to play the reverse sweep, he tried it three times and almost got out, on the third occasion and with his score on 43 he missed and presented Oli Rayner with a leg before.

After reaching his century from 108 balls Hall's strokeplay faded and, after losing Joe Denly for 13, he too went when attempting to drive against the impressive Rana Naved.

Both McLaren and Yasir Arafat fell during the late slog but it mattered little once it transpired that Kent had scored more than enough.

SCORES Kent 264 for nine, Sussex 152 all out after 33.4 overs. Kent win by 112 runs. Kent 2pts Sussex 0.