Kent Spitfires v Somerset Sabres

KENT slid to their second NatWest Pro40 defeat inside 24 hours as Somerset Sabres clinched a tense two-run win at St Lawrence to push the Spitfires out of the promotion spots and into the mid-table of Division 2.

The hosts made a good fist of chasing Somerset's 40-over total of 214 for eight, largely thanks to a seventh wicket stand worth 79 in 11 overs between left-handers Ryan McLaren and James Tredwell.

The pair, together with Geraint Jones who scored a league best for the season of 45, took Kent from the depths of mediocrity at 45 for five to the brink of an amazing win.

With 18 required from the last two overs Tredwell's 48-ball stay came to an end with his score on 51 when he holed out to long-off then, with three needed off the last ball or two for a tie, McLaren, having scored a one-day best 78 from 72 balls, could not lay his bat on a shooter from Steffan Jones and the Sabres duly celebrated.

It had been former Kent all-rounder Peter Trego who caused Kent's top-order their big headaches the right-armer took one-day best figures of five for 44 as the home top order capitulated on a sluggish pitch.

Joe Denly and Rob Key with 12 apiece were the only top four batters to make double figures as Trego excelled on a painfully slow playing surface that he likened to a 'club pitch'.

Earlier McLaren, despite a hand injury, was again the leading Kent bowler with four for 46, though it was Lasith Malinga who accounted for danger man Marcus Trescothick (4). Otherwise, Malinga again proved wayward and his eight overs cost 44 runs.

In terms on accuracy and consistent threat, Martin Saggers was again a first-class foil for McLaren as he finished with one for 28 from his eight overs.

It was former Dover and Kent 2nd XI batter Justin Langer who proved the thorn in Kent's side, his 92 from 105 ultimately proved a match winning knock and the Aussie left-hander would have made it through to three figures but for a sloppy run out late on.

Scores:Somerset 214 for eight after 40 overs; Kent 212 for seven. Somerset won by two runs.