Kent's rash batting coupled with an inspired spell of bowling by Glamorgan seamer Darren Thomas ensured honours finished just about even at the end of this first day of four at Maidstone.

The hosts totalled 304 on a dry and fairly benign pitch at The Mote after winning the toss, a score that may well prove well below par once Glamorgan crack on from their overnight score of seven for one tomorrow.

It was a day of what might have been for the hosts who, despite posting three batting bonus points, ought to have boasted two centuries to go with them.

Ed Smith, fresh from an excellent 84 in Leeds last week, raced to 74 from 94 balls before clipping a catch to the diving Steve Watkin just before lunch.

Opener Rob Key also appeared on course for his second Championship ton of the campaign when he attempted to cut Dean Cosker, only to pick out James Maher at slip to go for 97 in a shade over four and a half hours.

The introduction of Thomas from the Rugby End coincided with a change in the weather and the Welsh seamer revelled in the overcast conditions by claiming four for 13 in 24 balls.

The 26-year-old, aided and abetted by some wild strokes, sent back Matthew Fleming, Paul Nixon, Min Patel and James Golding in quick succession as the Kent middle order collapsed.

The tenth-wicket pairing of Ben Trott (13) and Martin Saggers (27) repaired some of the damage by reaching 300, after which Saggers picked up the new ball to remove Maher leg before in the final over of the day.

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