THE MOTE opener Matt Bennett, playing on his home ground, hit 125 for Kent in their under-19 county championship group match against Essex.

Kent skipper Bennett, dropped behind the wicket off his first ball, slammed 17 fours in his 173 ball second innings knock and was well supported by Bexley's Babar Khan (48) and Folkestone's Dominic Chambers (36 not out).

Essex were left a stiff target of 164 off 17 overs and finished on 103 for two.

In the first innings Kent, after being put in on a lively wicket, were dismissed for 113 with Joe Denly, of Whitstable, top scoring with 25 not out.

Seamers Nahir Dasandi (Bexley) and Sam Collins (The Mote) each took three wickets as Essex replied with 202.