Kent Spitfires had to settle for a draw in their latest CB40 game against the Unicorns at Southend on Tuesday.

Rob Key’s side had been looking to exact some revenge on the side that beat them at Canterbury a fortnight ago, but relentless rain forced an early end over in Essex.

The forecast hadn’t looked good and it came as no real surprise when the rain finally came with the Spitfires having only faced three overs attempting to chase down 178 to win.

It had all gone to plan for the Spitfires as Rob Key won the toss and elected to insert the opposition knowing full well the chances were that it would be a rain affected game.

Matt Coles was the first to strike, having Bradley Wadlan caught by Adam Ball for just seven before a 72 run partnership between James Ord and Tom New held up the Kent attack.

Ord went on to score 52 before he was bowled by Darren Stevens with New trapped lbw by James Tredwell for 31 shortly after.

Experienced skipper Keith Parsons was next to go as he was trapped lbw by Brendan Nash for just five with two run outs in quick succession accounting for both Vishal Tripathi and Jayden Levitt.

Nash was then to pick up his second wicket of the afternoon as he had Glen Querl caught by Mark Davies for five with Adam Ball getting in on the act as he clean bowled former Kent seamer Warren Lee for just one.

At that point, the Unicorns were 134 for 8 with six and a half overs still to face, but some spirited batting from Luis Reece and Luke Beaven saw their side up to 177 for 8 at the end of their 40 overs.

Knowing the weather was heading their way, the Spitfires went in to bat looking to knock off as many as possible, as quickly as possible.

However, they were to be denied just three overs in with Sam Billings (5) and Rob Key (0) forced off as the rain came down.

After a period of watching the wet weather, umpires Martin Bodenham and Peter Hartley had no alternative than to call the game off.

Kent will feel frustrated with this result, but will have little time to dwell on things as they head straight to Tunbridge Wells for the start of County Championship game against Hampshire on Wednesday morning.

Kent won the toss and elected to bowl.

Unicorns side: Ord, Wadlan, New, Levitt, Parsons, Tripathi, Reece, Querl, Lee, Beaven, Cheetham.

Kent side: Key, Billings, Stevens, Harmison, Nash, Northeast, Jones, Tredwell, Coles, Ball, Davies.

Umpires: M Bodenham & P Hartley.

Result: Unicorns 177 for 8 (40 overs), Kent 9 for 0 (3 overs) No result – Match Drawn