Worcestershire Royals have moved clear on top of the first division of the Norwich Union League after a five-wicket victory over Kent Spitfires at Canterbury.

An incisive early spell of bowling from Royals' Australian-born seamers, Matt Mason and Andy Bichel, decimated the Spitfires top-order. And, despite a valiant counter attack from Matt Walker and Paul Nixon, the Spitfires' total of 224-7 in their 45 overs, proved inadequate on a fast, true pitch with Vikram Solanki, Graeme Hick and Ben Smith all in fine form.

Clearly enjoying an Aussie-style pitch with good pace and bounce, both Matt Mason and Andy Bichel concentrated on line and length with good results after Spitfires' skipper Matthew Fleming had won the toss and decided to bat.

Fleming was soon bowled by a ball from Mason that may have kept a little low before James Hockley was brilliantly held at point by Ben Smith, diving high to his right, off the same bowler. Symonds was next to go, trapped lbw by Bichel before Rob Key, the stocky right-hander who has become the key to the Spitfires batting performances, got an edge through to the 'keeper to leave the score on 21-4.

But if a period of consolidation was in order, no-one told Matt Walker. He began with a flurry, hitting four boundaries in his first dozen deliveries as he added 31 with Fulton before the experience of Lampitt further strengthened the Royals' cause. He picked up the wicket of Fulton with just his third ball, very well stumped by Rhodes standing up to the wicket, to leave the Spitfires faltering once again at 52-5.

Walker, however, continued untroubled. Apart from being bowled off a free hit following a no-ball by Lampitt when he had 30, the left-hander seemed completely comfortable at the crease. He hit 14 boundaries in his 77-ball stay, with Paul Nixon providing sensible support in a stand of 116; a county record for the sixth wicket in this competition.

The off-spin of Gareth Batty, starting a second spell, made the breakthrough, trapping Walker six short of a well-deserved century, but Nixon battled on, recording his highest score in this competition since moving from Leicestershire before the 2000 season. He was run out in the dying moments, but by then had helped the Spitfires to a competitive score at least, boosted by some good late hitting from James Golding.

But, on a good pitch and faced with a strong Royals batting line-up, it was some way short of a winning total.

Vikram Solanki, timing the ball beautifully, put on 63 for the first wicket with Stephen Peters, before Peters mis-timed Golding's first ball to spoon a simple catch to Hockley.

Hick and Solanki then calmly accumulated a further 38, before Solanki fell victim to a nice piece of stumping from Paul Nixon after a run-a-ball 57.

Graeme Hick appeared to be in imperious from too, moving to a solid 44 before falling to the off-spin of Tredwell, but Spitfires will rue Andrew Symonds' drop at cover, giving Ben Smith a life that they could ill afford.

He made them pay for their generosity with an unbeaten 54, with David Leatherdale helping up the pace in the closing overs. Royals reached their target with two overs in hand, and, having only been promoted this season, are now well placed to win this competition for the first time since 1988.

In a highly competitive table, Kent drop two places to fifth and are now most unlikely to challenge for the title.

© CricInfo