A fantastic innings of 92 not out by Scott Newman was the difference between the two sides in a remarkable contest that went down to the final ball of the match under lights at Canterbury.

Newman batted right the way through the Surrey innings. Starting with a bang, he had to guide his side through a tough middle period where wickets fell all around him. It continues what has been a very prosperous competition for the left-hander, highlighted by the 342 runs he has scored thus far.
Earlier in the day, it was a fiery opening spell from Dernbach that put Kent onto the back foot. Striking in the first over, the Surrey quick, picked up three wickets, all caught behind, in a devastating six over opening spell, which at one point reduced the home team to 18 for three.

This was a start from which the Spitfires never really recovered. Dernbach’s bowling was well supported at the other end by Mohammad Akram who, whilst the top order were being blown away, was quietly pressurising the new batsmen with line and length, demonstrated by his economical figures of 23 runs from eight overs.

Martin van Jaarsveld attempted a comeback of sorts for Kent but with regular wickets falling, it was difficult to put together any partnerships. He eventually went himself for a well made 40, leaving his side 88 for six.

With Chris Schofield off the field having split the webbing on his left hand, it was left to Rory Hamilton-Brown to fulfil the spinning role. He did this in style, picking up his first first team wicket on the way to taking fantastic figures of three for 36 from his eight.

It was only thanks to a late burst from Jamie Tredwell and Geraint Jones, that the Spitfires got past 150 and eventually posted 159 for eight from their 40 overs.

In reply Benning got Surrey off to a blistering start with consecutive boundaries however, his promising innings was cut short when he was adjudged lbw for 13. Only two balls later, Surrey were two down, when Rory Hamilton-Brown edged behind without scoring.

A promising partnership between Newman and Mark Butcher followed and the pair seemed to be cruising their side to victory. The introduction of spin changed matters and with the pace taken out of the ball the scoring rate slowed. The game changed during this period and when Surrey lost three wickets for just 11 runs, Kent had the upper hand.

Nevertheless, a partnership between first Newman and Chris Jordan and then Newman and Schofield, took Surrey into the final over requiring just two runs with four wickets remaining. However in an incredible twist, Kent took three wickets in three balls, to take the equation to two runs needed off two balls. The last man, Akram, kept his head to give Newman the strike, before the Surrey hero fittingly hit the winning run off the final ball of the match to give Surrey victory by one wicket.

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