KENT will need to chase 143 in 25 overs at a gloomy and distinctly soggy Sophia Gardens to stand any chance of maintaining their totesport League first division status.

The hosts and newly crowned champions overcame a long rain-break and the loss of 20 overs to post 142 for seven with the best contributions coming from Matthew Elliott and David Hemp.

The Spitfires had reduced newly crowned champions Glamorgan to 47 for two before the heavens opened during the ninth over of the home innings.

Rob Joseph sent back Robert Croft (8) to a regulation catch by Geraint Jones making a rare county appearance to make it 10 for one.

The Ian Butler plucked out the middle stump of Alex Wharf (18) just before the rain arrived to force the players from the pitch.

Play resumed at 4.30pm and 40 overs were lost as the Dragons resumed their innings with 16.5 overs to go.

Next man in Michael Powell went to the first ball back in slicing Butler’s second ball of the over to Matthew Walker at backward point.

Former England bat Matthew Maynard survived the hat-trick ball, a good yorker, but went just five balls later by top-edging an attempted sweep off Rob Ferley to deep mid-wicket where Alex Loudon pulled off a low catch running in that made it 56 for four.

Left-handers Elliott and Hemp worked the ball around nicely in adding 59 in 11 overs.

Hemp took a brace of sixes off the 19th over bowled by Alex Loudon, the first clear over extra cover the second went over the ropes at long-off via Butler’s hands and an excellent attempted catch.

Elliott had scored 44 from 67 with four boundaries when his uppish drive against a Rob Joseph slower ball flew to Matt Dennington at long-off.

Hemp went with his score on 40, to another good catch in the deep over his right shoulder by Ferley, but some late clubbing by another left-hander, Mark Wallace, took him to 16 in no time before Ferley effected a run out off his own bowling.