Steven Finn was left disappointed but proud after Middlesex fell to a five-wicket defeat against a Reece Topley inspired Hampshire in the Royal London Cup.

A below-par effort with the bat meant Middlesex were restricted to 199-8 and Hampshire knocked the total off with limited fuss.

Finn accepted that his side had failed to reach the levels required to pick up a win, but insisted they played well in spells.

“We were 30-40 runs short with the bat as a result of not building partnerships and then we didn’t start particularly well with the ball which gave Hampshire a head start chasing a small total,” the Watford-born seamer said.

“I’m proud of the way the guys fought and the way we put pressure on them at the back end of the innings. It is just a shame we didn’t have those few extra runs.”

Topley was the star man for Hampshire as he terrorised the Middlesex batting line up with ball in hand.

The former England quick made Middlesex regret their decision to bat first in bowler-friendly conditions following a delayed start.

The 24-year-old’s claimed 4-40 to finish with his side’s best figures and set up a straightforward chase.

Deprived of club captain Dawid Malan on Test duty and England one-day skipper Eoin Morgan, ruled out with a cracked finger, much depended on Middlesex openers Paul Stirling and Nick Gubbins.

However, Gubbins perished early, caught in the gulley for nine giving Topley his first wicket.

Under murky skies and with an outfield too wet to afford batsman value for their shot-making, even Stirling with two centuries already in the competition struggled.

The Ireland international did hoist Topley for one huge six into the car park but trying to repeat the shot he fell to the next delivery, holing out at mid-off.

This left Max Holden, making his list-A debut for Middlesex and the barely more experienced Stevie Eskinazi needing to entrench.

The pair kept the scoreboard ticking but save for a huge straight six from Holden boundaries were scarce in an important third-wicket stand of 62.

Topley then returned to the attack to have Holden caught behind for 38 just as the hosts were attempting to accelerate.

Overseas ace Hilton Cartwright and wicketkeeper John Simpson attempted another rebuild before the former had his furniture rearranged.

And when Simpson lofted Mason Crane (2-35) into Topley’s clutches at mid-off just three overs later Middlesex were 158-6.

A few lusty blows from Tom Helm got Middlesex to the brink of 200, but Topley bowled him to complete his haul.

In reply, Rilee Roussow was caught behind to a reckless swipe off Finn (2-42), who also had Alsop caught by Eskinazi at short cover.

But with Joe Weatherley providing solid support for the free-flowing James Vince the visitors were seemingly cantering inexorably towards victor.y Vince’s 50 came in 64 balls, but with his team in cruise control the England man needlessly took on mid-on fielder James Franklin who ran him out.

When Weatherley (38) holed out to Finn at mid-off from the bowling of Sowter six balls later, Middlesex briefly had hope but it wasn’t to be as Hampshire eased home.