KENT’S bowlers suffered a setback in the Home Counties League when they crashed to a heavy defeat against Surrey, gaining just three out of a possible 16 points.

The home rinks were held at Maidstone's Mote Park and only two of the four went Kent’s way, Ron Hedgecock, Kevin Bodman, Mick Collins and Mark Johnson producing the best performance with a 26-13 win.

Roger Herridge skipped the other winning rink, but overall the home rinks lost by four shots.

In the away games at Sutton only Dave Banfield’s rink won as Kent slid to a 24-shot defeat.

This puts Surrey in pole position at the top of the group, but Kent could still qualify for the semi-final play-offs if they finish second.

Rink scores: Kent v Surrey Home: Alan Dunn 8 A Hawes 23, Matthew Aers 16 C Cranham 19, Roger Herridge 21 J Gale 20, Mark Johnson 26 P Short 13, Away: Chris Smith 14 A Kellaway 22, Roger Kendrick 12 S. Fortescue 24, Dave Banfield 19 P Coleman 17, Duncan Hanmore 16 S Tuohy 22

Final score: Kent 132 Surrey 160