Kent Spitfires maintained their outside chance of a place in the Clydesbank 40 semi-finals next month with a 42-run win over Notts Outlaws at Canterbury on Sunday.

Another good sized St Lawrence crowd were rewarded for their patience after the match was delayed by rain until 5.15pm and reduced to 16-overs a-side.

Darren Stevens (49 not out) and Azhar Mahmood (29 not out) plunderered 72 in 35 balls in an unbeaten fourth wicket stand as Spitfires totalled 135-3, the visitors making only 93-9 in reply.

Stevens and Mahmood completely transformed the Kent innings from a modest 63-3, after Rob Key and Joe Denly were both run-out for 22, and Martin Van Jaarsveld made only six.

Stevens hit three sixes and three fours in his 35-ball 49 not out, while Mahmood cracked 29 not out off 15 balls, with the pair taking 22 off one over from former England all-rounder Paul Franks.

Notts needed nearly nine an over from the start, but were struggling when Mahmood (2-7) claimed Ali Brown and Matt Wood in successive balls, and Samit Patel soon followed.

Alex Hales fell to James Tredwell for 21, while skipper Chris Read went to an excellent catch by opposite number Geraint Jones off Simon Cook who claimed 2-13.

Matt Coles then whipped out Graeme White, Steve Mullaney and Franks for competition best figures of 3-7 to seal the Spitfires' fourth win in Group C.