Kent Women narrowly missed out on retaining their regional Women’s County T20 title on Sunday.

The Horses were without several key players and lost by four wickets in the final to Sussex Women after a semi-final success over Hampshire.

Ryana MacDonald-Gay impressed for Kent in their nine-wicket win.

She was the pick of the bowlers and ended with 4-19 from her four overs as Kent Women restricted Hampshire to 118-8 from their 20 overs before she played her part with the bat too.

She ably supported skipper Grace Scrivens, who finished 59 not out, to help see David Hathrill’s team home with 31 not out from 26 balls. The only batter out in Kent’s run-chase was opener Jemima Spence who made 24 off 33 balls.

But in the final, the absence of the likes of captain Tammy Beaumont, Tash Farrant and Alice Davidson-Richards - all unavailable with the start of the regional Charlotte Edwards Cup around the corner - finally proved too much for the Horses.

Batting first, Kent ended their innings 135-6.

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Scrivens once again top-scored with 59 before she was caught and bowled off Paige Scholfield while Kalea Moore came up with a handy 28-ball 36, including five boundaries.

Kent did have Sussex 107-6 at one stage thanks to MacDonald-Gay (2-12) and Moore (3-30) but 41 not out from Nancy Harman, supported by Mary Taylor who got 10 off nine balls, saw Sussex to victory.

The finals day was held at Totton and Eling Cricket Club.