Date-stamped : 06 May97 - 10:16 Taylor and Newell storm the heights By Doug Ibbotson at Hove Sussex (273-4) bt Gloucs (239) by 34 runs NOTHING was more certain this season than that Neil Taylor, a vintage batsman rejected by Kent, would contribute significantly to the Phoenix factor at Hove. Having already scored 127 in the championship match against Northants, the man first capped at Canterbury in 1982 yesterday scored the sixth Benson and Hedges century of his career, to put Sussex in pole position and win the gold award. Of equal importance to Sussex`s surge towards the summer with defiant optimism, was Taylor`s double-century partnership with Mark Newell, which comfortably surpassed the county`s competition record of 167 established in 1974 by Tony Greig and Peter Graves. Newell, still awaiting his first-class debut and a late replacement for flu-stricken brother Keith, contributed 87 off 111 balls, featuring eight fours. It was his best score in only four appearances thus far. He joined the innings when Sussex were 23 for two after 12 overs. Taylor, at this point, was in a mood of such determination that he proceeded to score only nine runs off 31 balls. It was a measure of his forward planning that in the next 31 he farmed a half-century, celebrating with a six swept over square-leg off former Kent spinner Richard Davis; and a century off 101 balls, including another six on-driven off Martyn Ball. Gloucestershire, motivated by Tony Wright`s brisk 41, were some way ahead of the going rate at 61 for two after 13 overs. But two wickets and a fine catch in the deep by Mark Robinson effected a decline, accelerated by Nick Phillips; a decisive two for seven in 12 balls which even Jack Russell`s fighting 66 could not counter. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)