Darren Stevens passed 14,000 first class runs with his 32^nd first class century as Kent piled on the runs against Leeds-Bradford MCCU at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

Joe Denly also reached three figures for the 19^th time in his career as Kent warmed up for the start of the Specsavers County Championship season on Friday 7 April.

Denly shared half-century stands with Sean Dickson and stand-in skipper Will Gidman after Adam Ball was bowled in the third over.

Dickson was adjudged LBW and Gidman nicked to Martin Andersson at slip before the century-makers put Kent firmly in control.

Denly was bowled shortly after reaching his landmark to bring Alex Blake to the crease who played a patient knock to reach 46 not out at the close

Stevens eventually dragged on before Blake reached stumps with Calum Haggett and Kent on 343 for five.

Day 2 starts at 11am with entry to the match and parking free of charge.

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Eight different bowlers struck as Kent dismissed Leeds-Bradford MCCU before building a 213-run lead.

Stand-in skipper Will Gidman rotated the attack after an overnight declaration did not pay immediate dividends.

The students’ opening pair put on 58 runs in 23.2 overs to see off the new ball before Mitch Claydon removed Steve Bullen to break the deadlock, caught behind by Adam Rouse.

Gidman brought himself and Adam Ball into the attack with an instant impact.

Ball trapped new man Martin Andersson LBW and Gidman uprooted McDermott’s middle stump in successive overs.

Stevens dislodged Oliie Graham’s off stump before Ivan Thomas found the outside edge of opener Ben Shoare for 47.

The right-hander had scored a century last summer against Kent’s second XI playing for MCC Young Cricketers and struck seven boundaries in a patient knock.

Claydon returned to remove Craig Wallace, caught smartly at slip by Ball and Jack Potticary fell in similar fashion, caught Tredwell off Haggett.

Tredwell bowled Will Cook after his 56-ball resistance ended with just three runs to his name as the students struggled to avoid the follow-on.

Joe Denly eventually grabbed the final wicket after a 38-run last wicket stand as injured skipper Moin Ashraf scored 24 with the aid of a runner.

Kent opted not to enforce the follow-on and stretched their lead to 213 by stumps after Sean Dickson was bowled for 4 after a brief delay for bad light.

Ball (23*) and Gidman (17*) are set to resume on the third and final day on Thursday at 11am. Entry and parking at The Spitfire Ground is free of charge.

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Stand-in skipper Will Gidman took three wickets without conceding a run as Kent wrapped up a comprehensive win over Leeds-Bradford MCCU at The Spitfire Ground.

Resuming with a lead of 213, Adam Ball hit his fourth first class 50 as Kent extended their lead to 323 at lunch before declaring.

Dickson ran out Shoare before Calum Haggett and Mitch Claydon each struck with the new ball to leave the students facing an uphill battle on 10/3.

Thomas castled Graham to reduce the visitors to 27-4 as wickets tumbled regularly to keep Kent on course for victory.

James Tredwell ended the middle order resistance with the wickets of McDermott, Wallace and Potticary – the three top scorers.

Will Gidman finished in style, taking the final three wickets with his first eight balls and without conceding a run.

Next up is a two-day red-ball friendly against oldest rivals Surrey at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, starting on Sunday (2 April) at 11am. Free entry and free parking on the ground for both days.

It is the final warm-up before the Specsavers County Championship starts next Friday (7 April) at The Spitfire Ground.

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