KENT Cricket Board reached next year’s third round of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Leicestershire Cricket Board at The Mote at Maidstone.

The toss proved crucial on a dewy morning, as Kent inserted the visitors to face tight spells from veterans Kevin Masters of Lordswood and Bexley’s man-of-the-match, Andy Tutt.

Leicestershire were reduced to 29 for two inside 14 overs before former county staff batsman Craig Crowe (35) helped add 39 before chaotic fielding and an overthrow resulted in his run out with two batsmen at one end.

Canterbury’s Ryan Minter, who claimed six for eight on debut against Leicestershire Board last year, got into the action again by dismissing Nick Ferraby to a smart stumping by The Mote's Matt Bennett.

Patel (33) and skipper Neil Pullen (22) added 50 in 74 balls before both fell in the space of seven balls, then Neil Mackey and Craig Maconacie accelerated the rate with a 50 stand in 23 minutes.

But Damon Trigger (St Lawrence) and Rob Ferley (Kent & Bromley) skittled the tail in just 18 balls to leave Kent with a victory target of 176.

Kent's batsmen took the attack to Leicestershire’s bowlers from the off and went on to maintain a run-rate of four-an-over throughout the innings.

John Bowden of Sevenoaks Vine played the anchor role, top-scoring with a patient 38, and allowing Matt Bennett (31) and Matt Banes (24) to dominate in partnerships of 57 and 41.

The hosts needed just 55 in the last 20 overs and cantered home through captain Shami Iqbal from Sevenoaks Vine and Folkestone's Leon Morgan with nine overs remaining.

The victory means KCB are the only Board XI to reach the third round of the Trophy for each of the five years since Board sides were admitted and that they will again be seeded to play a first-class county in next month’s third round draw for the 2003 Trophy.