A FIRST championship century in almost four years by deposed England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones coupled with a second hundred in as many weeks from Darren Stevens helped Kent tighten their grip on proceedings against Surrey at Whitgift School.

Come the close of the third day, a dispirited Surrey outfit had limped to 147 for three in their second innings, having gone into bat again still trailing by 398, this after Kent had posted a season's best 564 for five declared - their third ever highest total on Surrey soil.

At the start of the day Kent resumed their first innings on 269 for three with Martin van Jaarsveld on 127 and Darren Stevens unbeaten with 32.

At that point, Kent led by only 103 runs, but magnificent batting from Stevens and then Jones ensured Kent took a stranglehold.

True enough, Surrey were handicapped by the absence of Rikki Clarke with a hamstring strain, but to be brutally honest, their seam attack proved toothless while their two spinners lacked control.

Had this been a school game the entire Surrey attack might have been kept behind for detention by the headmaster, as it was, Kent's batsmen virtually helped themselves to runs.

Single-handedly van Jaarsveld matched Surrey's first innings in posting 166 before he mistimed a drive against Mohammad Akram into the hands of Neil Saker at mid-off to bring an end to his 325-minute stay.

Stevens, fresh from a first century of the summer against Hampshire last week, again cantered to three figures with a six and a four from consecutive deliveries from Saker and from 125-balls, with 15 fours and three sixes.

Quick onto the front foot to drive, Stevens was also quick-witted enough to pounce on anything short as he rocked back to pull three imperious sixes onto the grassy bank in front of the Kent dressing room.

Surrey had opportunity to re-group at tea, but they failed to take the chance and sheer carnage ensued after the interval as Jones and Stevens clattered another 155 inside 23 overs.

After suffering such a dismal six months, Jones was clearly thrilled to post his fifth ever century from only 94 balls and with nine fours and three sixes. It was Jones's first championship hundred since he hit an unbeaten 108 against Essex at Chelmsford on June 30, 2003.

Stevens sprinted past 150 but, with his score on 174, he lost his off stump when attempting to force through covers bringing about Rob Key's declaration at 3.14pm.

Matt Nicholson, Ian Salisbury and Nayan Doshi all conceded 100-plus in claiming one wicket which, coupled with several dropped chances and misfields, all made for a horrendous show in the field.

The hosts made it through to tea without further alarm, but after the interval Kent continued to press home their advantage.

Newman, on this show the sloppiest fielder in first class cricket, showed equal ineptitude in running between the wickets and while he dawdled over a second run Yasir Arafat's arrow-like throw from deep-square ran him out for 20.

The Pakistan pace ace then starred with the ball in a 15-over stint worth two for 32 from the Chapel End.

He had Jonathan Batty (25) well poached at slip by Andrew Hall and the n Mark Butcher (4) fenced at one going across him to snick to van Jaarsveld at second slip.

Mark Ramprakash (54) and Ali Brown (21) made it through to stumps without further alarm, but their side still trail by 251 going into the final day on Saturday.

SCORECARD

Surrey first innings

S A Newman lbw b Hall 9
J N Batty c Jones b Hall 9
M R Ramprakash c Jones b Arafat 35
M A Butcher c van Jaarsveld b Hall 4
A D Brown b Hall 18
R Clarke b Arafat 1
I D K Salisbury c Jones b Arafat 6
M J Nicholson not out 48
N C Saker c Tredwell b McLaren 6
N D Doshi c Tredwell b Stevens 13
Mohammad Akram c Tredwell b Hall 4
Extras 13

Total 166 all out after 44 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-13, 2-82, 3-62, 4-76, 5-82, 6-86, 7-88, 8-118, 9-149

Bowling: Arafat 16-4-49-3, Hall 17-4-59-5, Cook 3-0-19-0, McLaren 6-0-26-1, Stevens 2-1-5-1.

Kent first innings

R W T Key c Batty b Nicholson 6
J L Denly b Clarke 85
M van Jaarsveld c Saker b Akram 166
J C Tredwell st Batty b Doshi 17
D I Stevens b Salisbury 174
G O Jones not out 106
Extras 10

Total 564 for five declared after 123.3 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-18, 2-179, 3-218, 4-354, 5-564.

Bowling: Akram 27-8-81-1, Nicholson 30-2-134-1, Saker 14-1-71-0, Clarke 5.3-2-16-1, Salisbury 21.2-2-102-1, Doshi 20-2-123-1, Butcher 5.3-0-28-0.

Surrey second innings

S A Newman run out (Arafat) 20
J N Batty c Hall b Arafat 25
M R Ramprakash not out 54
M A Butcher c van Jaarsveld b Arafat 4
A D Brown not out 21
Extras23

Total 147 for three after 44 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-48, 2-69, 3-81,

Bowling: Arafat 15-3-32-2, Hall 11-3-41-0, McLaren 9-2-38-0, Cook 5-2-13-0, Tredwell 2-0-8-0, Stevens 2-0-6-0.

Bonus points: Surrey 1pt, Kent 8pts.