KENT cricket blogger BRAD PINARD finally has something to smile about after the Spitfires’ stunning victory at Gloucestershire.

I’M entering unknown territory by writing positively about Kent cricket but it is fully deserved after a superb batting display away at Gloucestershire last week.

The Spitfires went into the game with confidence at an all-time low after failing to notch a victory in any County Championship or Twenty20 game so far this season.

In true 2013 Kent style, the bowlers were still borderline dreadful (bar James Tredwell and Calum Hagget), with the home side scoring a whopping 562-5 declared after batting first.

On a Cheltenham pitch which clearly suited the batsmen, the game ebbed and flowed leaving Kent needing a tough 411 to win putting them in a real dilemma.

The Spitfires could have just tried to bat all day and play for the draw that would give them some much needed Championship points, or go for the win but risk losing wickets and being bowled out gifting the game to Gloucestershire.

Captain Tredwell made the right call, as a stunning 199 from Brendan Nash set up a record breaking run chase.

And with help from the experienced trio Tredwell, Rob Key and Darren Stevens, the Spitfires lifted themselves from the foot of Division Two and somehow scored a first win of the season by just two wickets.

There was relief all round - and plenty of it.

Defeat after defeat in recent weeks has seen my weekly blog become one long moan.

I quite enjoy a moan in fairness, but even I was becoming sick of repeating myself stating the obvious.

Thankfully Nash appears to be OK after having to retire ill in that battling second innings due to sunstroke.

Now that is what I call dedication!

The Spitfires are currently bowling in day two of their Championship game against Hampshire at Canterbury and it appears the pattern of that southern clash is parallel to the Gloucestershire game, hopefully with the same outcome.

So just as all faith was lost, the Spitfires came up with the goods to kick start their season, albeit three months late.

Perhaps the glorious weather and Ashes cricket has brought the best out of the Kent lads.

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