OUTFIELD football was the only entertainment for a meagre St Lawrence crowd as waterlogged run-ups prevented any weekend play in Kent’s championship match with Gloucestershire.

Friday night’s thunderstorms left the Canterbury ground awash and despite numerous inspections and no further rain on Sunday, play simply was not possible.

The Kent players, who suffered rain wash-outs in Wednesday’s Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy tie in Reading and their three-day friendly at Oxford, vented their frustration with a game of five-a-side soccer.

But quite how the outfield was good for football and unfit for cricket remained something of a mystery.

Losing two days of the game have also reduced the chances of a result, particularly in view of Kent’s successful run chase in Bristol last month when a deal between the skipper led to a double forfeiture and rousing Kent win.

Visiting skipper Chris Taylor is unlikely to be suckered into a similar arrangement this time around, leaving both sides to play for bonus points and little else.

The weather also dampened the spirits of an action-packed opening day in which 15 wickets fell.

Having been rolled over for 129, Kent set about reducing visitors Gloucestershire to 127 for five when bad light and rain stopped play.