A disappointing crowd of just over 4,000 saw Rob Key's Kent Spitfires beaten by Hampshire Royals in the Friends Provident t20.

After limping to 114-9, Key’s men failed to prevent Royals claiming a five-wicket win at The Rose Bowl.

Given a five-run head start after Dimi Mascarenhas sent the first ball of the game tumbling down the leg side for five wides, the tables quickly turned with Key, pictured, trapped leg before from the first ball he faced.

With Martin van Jaarsveld (11) and Geraint Jones (0) also failing with the bat, Kent were 20-3 in the fourth over.

Joe Denly could muster just 15 from 22 balls and it was left, not for the first time this season, to Darren Stevens to give Kent something to bowl at.

Stevens, who hit a six off Sean Ervine, was run out by Chris Wood for 36.

Despite a low total to defend, Spitfires gave themselves hope when England opener Michael Lumb was dismissed first ball by Stevens.

But steady contributions thereafter meant the hosts were always in control and Nic Pothas saw them home with two balls to spare with James Tredwell (2-20) the pick of the Spitfires attack.

Picture: Barry Goodwin