KENT'S Under-13 girls cricket team have won their first two matches in Pool B of the South East Counties League. They beat Surrey by 78 runs at Malden with a splendid opening partnership of 77 in 16 overs, featuring excellent running between Karen Baker (St Lawrence) and Jenny Friend (The Mote).

Emma Plush (Lordswood) and Baker took the score to 138 with Baker 67 not out, her maiden half-century.

Surrey's second wicket partnership of 60 was broken when Snowvia Nadir (Catford Wanderers) took two wickets in one over. Kent used nine bowlers and took the last eight Surrey wickets for 20 runs. Wicketkeeper Karen Baker ended the innings with a superb diving catch from a bottom edge off Hannah Robertson's (Plaxtol) bowling.

The under-13s had recorded a 47-run win in their first match against Sussex. Kent's innings of 144, at nearly five runs an over, was held together by Friend, who hit a patient 30, while Suzannah Townsend (The Mote) contributed a forceful 33.

Sussex started positively but wickets soon started to fall and their total of 97 included more than 40 in wides and no balls.

Their next match is away to Hampshire at Tadley on Sunday.

Kent Under-11 girls continued their winning streak from last season with a 28-run defeat of Middlesex in their first match of 2002.

Kent made 72 for four in their 25 overs, with Stephanie Masters (St Lawrence) making 14, Katy Ling (Lordswood) 13 not out, and Tammy Beaumont (Sandwich) 13.

Middlesex in reply were reduced to six four four in five overs by Masters, Jennie Jackson and Ling but rallied to 32 before Ling ran out two opponents with direct hits and closed on 44 for seven.

The next match is against Hertfordshire on Sunday, July 14, at Newenden.