KENT’S Tunbridge Wells Festival clash with Surrey eventually ended in a tame draw as the visitors refused to take up the mantle of a run chase they had seemingly just started.

Having been set a mammoth 406 to win, Surrey set about batting out the first two sessions without concern for the score, the state of the game or entertainment for a decent last day crowd.

Having reached 201 without loss at tea Surrey’s openers Scott Newman and former Kent batsman Richard Clinton had, however, laid decent foundations.

Despite the fact their asking rate had soared above eight an over, Surrey looked set to have a tilt at their target.

Clinton went on to score his maiden championship ton against his old club from 277 balls while Newman, the more adventurous of the pair, hit his third century in four matches.

Kent’s best hope of victory rested with spinner Min Patel, but he struggled against the two left-handers and by lunch the hosts had only the draw to play for.

Newman, on his way to 167 from 266 balls, hit consecutive sixes off Martin van Jaarsveld’s occasional off-spinners then a third off Patel, but his most damaging blow to Kent may have been a fearful pull that hit close fielder Rob Key.

Key was hit on the arm fielding at short leg and spent the afternoon at accident and emergency awaiting an inconclusive x-ray on a bruised right forearm.

Having dropped both players, Kent finally made a breakthrough after 90 overs when Newman carved a drive to deep extra cover to make it 280 for one.

Going into the last hour’s 16 overs Surrey needed a further 125 with nine overs still in hand and they appeared to initially fancy their chances.

Ali Brown smeared a quick 29 and James Benning and Jonathan Batty were promoted in the order to play some shots.

All three perished in taking the score on to 333 for four, but with 73 required from the last 48 balls Rikki Clarke patted back three deliveries from Min Patel before accepting David Fulton’s handshake for the draw.

Fulton, who at one point must have worried the game was slipping out of his grasp, appeared relieved afterwards in admitting: “It was a strange thing for Surrey to do and an odd decision to make I think.

“If I’d have been in their position I’d have taken the run chase through to six wickets down before shutting up shop."

SCORECARD

Kent first innings

D P Fulton lbw b Bicknell 45
R W T Key c Newman b Benning 112
M van Jaarsveld lbw b Bicknell 0
M J Walker b Bicknell 0
D I Stevens c Batty b Bicknell 1
J Kemp c Ramprakash b Benning 3
A J Hall c Ramprakash b Doshi 61
N J O’Brien lbw b Benning 1
S J Cook b Doshi 5
M M Patel c Clarke b Doshi 3
M J Saggers not out 5
Extras 26

Total 262 all out after 92.4 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-112, 2-112, 3-114, 4-118, 5-129, 6-229, 7-233, 8-245, 9-251.

Bowling: Bicknell 24-10-31-4, Akram 20-6-51-0, Doshi 13.4-1-58-3, Clarke 12-2-45-0, Benning 16-1-57-3, Salisbury 7-2-16-0.

Surrey first innings

S A Newman st O’Brien b Patel 21
R S Clinton not out 15
M R Ramprakash c van Jaarsveld b Patel 4
R Clarke c Cook b Patel 124
J N Batty c O’Brien b Patel 34
A D Brown c Hall b Stevens 56
J G E Benning lbw b Patel 14
M P E Bicknell b Patel 2
I D K Salibury c O’Brien b Stevens 3
N D Doshi c Key b Stevens 16
M Akram not out 1
Extras 16

Total 324 all out after 91 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-57, 2-65, 3-67, 4-166, 5-273, 6-299, 7-302, 8-305, 9-323.

Bowling: Saggers 18-3-53-1, Hall 10-0-40-0, Cook 9-0-48-0, Patel 38-5-124-6, Kemp 3-024-0, 13-4-22-3.

Kent second innings

D P Fulton c Benning b Akram 18
R W T Key st Batty b Doshi 189
M J Saggers c Clarke b Bicknell 19
M van Jaarsveld b Benning 168
J Kemp not out 28
M J Walker not out 32
Extras 13

Total 467 for four declared after 113 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-36, 2-80, 3-403, 4-407.

Bowling: Bicknell 17.4-3-74-1, Akram 17.2-3-55-1, Doshi 31-1-124-1, Salisbury 19-1-85-0, Benning 23-2-94-1, Clinton 5-1-23-0.

Surrey second innings

S A Newman c Stevens b Saggers 167
R S Clinton c Fulton b Hall 105
A D Brown st O’Brien b Patel 29
J G E Benning b Hall 3
R Clarke not out 3
J N Batty not out 4
Extras 22

Total 333 for four after 98.3 overs

Bowling: Saggers 8-0-54-1, Patel 42.3-9-120-1, Stevens 10-1-34-0, Cook 7-2-16-0, 17-1-64-2, van Jaarsveld 14-4-28-0.

Points: Kent 9pts Surrey 10pts