Kent Women got their season off to a perfect start with two wins against Surrey.

The Horses followed up a 50-run victory in their first game with a thrilling finish in game two, beating their hosts by five wickets after winning off the final ball at Chipstead.

Kent are competing in a revamped Vitality Women’s County T20 competition for 2021, topping the South East Group after back to back victories over Surrey.

The hosts won the toss for the opening game and elected to bowl.

Kent reached the end of the powerplay 40/2 and it was down to 17-year-old opener Grace Scrivens (94 not out) and partner Alice Davidson-Richards to rebuild, and they did so in style. Their partnership lasted 11 overs, and the pair put on 104 runs together.

Scrivens hit boundaries consistently, including a perfectly timed pull shot for six. She reached her half century from 39 deliveries.

The duo’s stand lasted until the 17th over, Davidson-Richards top edging to Capsey off Gordon, not before scoring 36 from 36.

Former England international Susie Rowe (24) helped power Kent to 195/4 after their 20 overs.

In reply, Surrey lost a wicket in the first over. England international Kirstie Gordon announced her arrival at Kent Women with a wicket on her fifth delivery on full debut.

An impressive direct-hit run out by Ryana Macdonald-Gay was the pick of Kent Women’s fantastic fielding performance as Surrey made 145/9 after 20 overs.

Surrey again won the toss in the second match but this time elected to bat. That decision proved to be a shrewd one as the hosts came out for the powerplay unscathed on 23 without loss. They went onto set Kent a target of 153 for victory.

Kent’s reply got off to a shaky start after losing both Bryce and Phoebe Franklin in successive overs.

Scrivens (30) and Davidson-Richards (63 not out) were tasked with the rebuilding job, again putting on more than 50 runs together before Scrivens was caught in the deep for 30.

Kent needed six to win from the final over, and after two dot balls, two twos and a single, it was down to Alice Davidson-Richards to try and secure the win with the match tied going into the final delivery of the day, and she did just that, with a single down the off-side. Despite a stifled appeal for leg-before, Kent were once again victorious – this time by five wickets.

The Horses will welcome Middlesex Women for their next T20 matches behind-closed-doors at The County Ground, Beckenham on Monday, May 3.

Kent’s next match will be a visit to Essex for their Women’s London Championship 50-overs opener on Saturday.