Starting the day on 123 for 3, Kent closed the the rain affected third day on 280 for 6, still trailing Northamptonshire by 138 runs after just 64 overs were possible.

Play was finally called off for the day around 6pm with umpires Nigel Cowley and Nick Cook deciding the relentless drizzle meant it was unplayable.

It wasn’t the best of starts for Kent with Brendan Nash falling in the fourth over of the day as he picked out Stephen Peters at mid wicket with Jack Brooks picking up his latest wicket and the score on 130 for 4.

A century stand between Mike Powell and Darren Stevens then followed with the former battling away to another half century, an innings comprising eight boundaires in his 148 ball innings of 61.

Stevens was just as determined as he ground out his fifty, again with eight boundaries, with the Northamptonshire bowlers struggling to trouble the middle order batsmen.

Powell was the first to go after scoring his first 50 in Canterbury for Kent when Lee Daggett managed to sneak one through onto his pads trapping him lbw.

Stevens followed shortly after as he became Andrew Hall’s third victim of the innings, nicking behind to former Kent keeper Niall O’Brien.

It was down to Geraint Jones and James Tredwell to guide the side past the follow on target, playing out sixteen overs before the rain prevented any further play.

They will be back out in the middle in the morning with the game seemingly heading towards another draw that would maintain Kent’s unbeaten run.

Fans can enter the St Lawrence Ground for just £5 on Saturday for the fourth day’s play, with all results still possible.

Northants won the toss and elected to bat first

Umpires: NGB Cook & NGB Cowley

Kent side: Key, Newman, Harmison, Nash, Powell, Stevens, Jones, Tredwell, Coles, Davies, Shreck.

Northants side: Peters, Newton, Coetzer, Sales, Hall, O’Brien, Middlebrook, De Lange, Willey, Daggett, Brooks.

Close of play day three: Northants 418 for 9 (144.3 overs), Kent 280 for 6 (111 overs)

Picture by Sarah Ansell. To see more of Sarah’s pictures, visit www.sarahcanterbury.com

Craig 23, was born in Gravesend and has had 2 spells with The Fleet, The first one ended in 2009 after he suffered a broken leg at Wrexham in February of that year. He battled back from his injury, and had a spell at Maidstone before rejoining Ebbsfleet United in August 2010 after a trial.

He has now played 128 games for The Fleet including 49 games in the season just ended. His role in the team is a defender and has not yet scored for the Fleet, his only career goal came when he was playing for Gillingham.

In the end of season awards, he won the The Gravesend Reporter’s Player Of The Year, award and also shared the Sponsors Players of the Year award with 3 team mates.

Stone is the latest player to commit his future to Ebbsfleet United with captain Paul Lorraine and Player of the Season Joe Howe also agreeing new deals in the past 24 hours.

Liam Daish said “Having Craig put pen to paper is great news. He has been through a lot after he suffered the leg break at Wrexham but has proved that you can come back from serious injury if are prepared to put in the hard work. Having three of my back line re-sign is a good place to start in building the team for the coming season.”

Club director Jessica McQueen said “I am delighted to see Craig sign once again for the club. He is a great favourite with the fans and won the Gravesend Reporter player of the season recently”

Meanwhile, the fundraising by members of Myfootballclub ( @myfootballclub ) to boost the playing squad of Team Manager Liam Daish continues at http://www.fleetsos.co.uk/

Chris Powell’s newly promoted side will visit Priestfield on Saturday August 4th, two weeks before the start of the new league season., with kick off scheduled for 3pm.

It’s the second scheduled fixture for The Gills so far after Diss Town confirmed that they would be making a trip to Norfolk on Saturday 21st July.

More fixtures are set to be announced in the coming weeks, but a full pre-season schedule has been delayed by the sacking of manager Andy Hessenthaler.

With a new appointment of manager a priority for the club, more fixtures will no doubt follow in due course.

One notable absentee from the sixteen names, however, is Maidstone born Natalie Seymour who will be disappointed to not have made the final cut. Danny Kerry, Head Coach of GB Women’s Hockey, admitted sleepless nights following the final selection and shed tears at today’s announcement.

Seymour, 25, ply’s her trade in England’s Premier Division for Canterbury and has racked up 20 GB caps in addition to 51 appearances for England. Having made her international debut in 2007, Seymour had been a regular fixture in the team representing her nation in successful campaigns at each of the last major international tournaments, most recently achieving a silver medal at the Champions Trophy earlier this year in Argentina and a bronze medal at the same venue in the World Cup in 2010.

The defender will be surprised to have only been placed on the reserves list as she had just been part of a victorious GB team who had won the Olympic test event at the Riverbank Arena in the Olympic Park earlier this month; beating world number two team Argentina in the final, just three months after losing to the World Champions 1-0 in the final of the Champions Trophy.

The squad, which includes players from Scotland, Wales and England, was announced at the London Stock Exchange on Friday morning. Captain Kate Walsh was responsible for officially opening market trading.

Head Coach Danny Kerry added, “Words cannot describe how difficult it has been to make the final decision in selecting this squad. Since we centralised our training programme in late 2009, our process has been continuous, making it our most thorough and exhaustive ever.

“We have chosen what we feel is the best combination of players for the challenges of the Olympic Games. Each and every one of the 28 athletes in the training group has committed so much and as a result we have the most powerful squad spirit I have ever known.”

Women’s hockey will be played at the Riverbank Arena within the Olympic park with the first match being played on 29 July.

Over 600,000 people will see first-hand the speed, skill and excitement involved in the game of hockey as they attend matches during the Games. With the passionate and vocal support of the home crowd behind them, Team GB will be looking to improve on their sixth place finish at the last Olympics in Beijing and inspire the nation by challenging for a medal in London this summer.

They are currently ranked fourth in the world, having enjoyed a consistent rise up the rankings from 11th over the past six years. They have a great opportunity to write themselves into the history books.

The selected athletes are:

Ashleigh Ball
Laura Bartlett

Crista Cullen
Alex Danson
Hannah Macleod
Emily Maguire
Anne Panter
Helen Richardson
Chloe Rogers
Beth Storry
Sarah Thomas
Georgie Twigg
Laura Unsworth
Kate Walsh
Sally Walton
Nicola White

Two reserves:

Natalie Seymour
Abi Walker

The event at the London Golf Club near Brands Hatch takes place between Friday and Sunday and is the perfect place for all golf lovers, offering unrivalled opportunities to interact with the biggest names in the game, enjoy free coaching, test and buy all the latest equipment and see every aspect of golf in one place.

Event ambassador Colin Montgomerie has already signed up to return for 2012 and South African legend Gary Player has been announced in a strong line up of players from both the men’s and ladies’ Tours including Solheim Cup winning captain Alison Nicholas, Paul Casey, Thomas Levet, Pablo Larrazabal, Melissa Reid, Carly Booth, Rhys Davies, Ollie Fisher and Henni Zuel will all appear.

Also set to appear are celebrities such as DJ Chris Evans, Formula One driver Heikki Kovaleinen and model Jodie Kidd.

The big-name golfers will be displaying their talents throughout the three days in various clinics and skills challenges in addition to meeting and talking to visitors and taking in everything the event has to offer – and there will be plenty for them to see.

All the major equipment manufacturers will be present including TaylorMade, Callaway, Wilson, Cleveland, Mizuno, Yonex and Cobra. The companies will be showcasing their very latest clubs – making the event’s 30-bay driving range the best opportunity this year for British golfers to trial new equipment.

With so many clubs to try, golfers will want to ensure their swing is in top condition and can do just that with free coaching on offer from a host of fully qualified professionals as well as picking up tips from the Tour players throughout the day.

In addition, visitors can discover the hottest golfing destinations, latest fairway fashions, cutting-edge game-improvement gadgets and gizmos and everything else golf-related.

Tickets for Golf Live cost just £20 for adults while under-18s can gain free entry by registering on Golf Live’s website.

To enquire about booking a hospitality package, phone 020 7471 1080 and for more information or to buy tickets visit www.golfliveevent.com.

The quartet were back at Brands Hatch on Thursday, the scene of many of their battles, for a practice session ahead of this Saturday’s (19 May) DTM-supporting VW Scirocco R-Cup race. They will also race alongside friend Mark Blundell and honoury member David Brabham, who fought through the ranks of Formula Ford and Formula 3 at the same time.

After an hour of acclimatising themselves to the LPG-powered cars, the four, who apart from Donnelly have all since retired from racing, got together to discuss their return in aid of 1996 World Champion Damon’s HALOW charity.

We spoke to them all about the weekend ahead:

Damon: It’s wonderful to make my racing comeback here. I love Brands Hatch, I was Champion of Brands in 1983 on bikes, which is one of my proudest achievements! I’ve won here on bikes and in cars and had some great times at Brands Hatch, it’s had a fantastic history and Jonathan Palmer’s done an excellent job of keeping Brands Hatch up there as a premier venue for motorsport in this country.

Julian: The circuit hasn’t changed very much but it is a lot tidier. It hasn’t really changed from a driver’s point of view.

Martin: Obviously the exit at Graham Hill bend has changed and Paddock Hill bend is a terror as you cannot run four wheels off anymore. Brands Hatch is great for spectators with a natural amphitheatre. For the drivers it’s really busy there is no chance to have a rest.

Perry: I don’t think you should modify the circuit, what I think they should do is give me a faster car so I can overtake!

Martin: I’ve asked for a heavy front bumper so I can push Perry out the way just like old times!

What does it feel like being back on track together?

Damon: It’s fun, it’s good fun. Everyone said they weren’t going to try hard and drive fast but they’re all doing that, so they’re up to their old tricks again!

Perry: I’ve just come back from a three week intensive training session in Tenerife before that I was skiing in Norway with the Commando unit.

Julian: I have been spending a lot less time in my pub.

Martin: Damon’s attitude was to just drive the car round but when you put the helmet on you get competitive.

Perry: We are  talking about the 1996 F1 world champion here – a 22 Grand Prix winner and he has come back after a 12 year lay off really with minimal testing and hasn’t driven front wheel drive. For Damon he is setting himself up for a fall against these young lads and he is doing it to be with us the rat pack and to raise the profile for the charity and I think that is incredibly commendable. There will be a bit of ribbing between us but we can’t really say much to Damon as he did the job and made it to F1.

Who would they be putting their money on for the race?

Perry: My money would go on either Martin (Donnelly) or David (Brabham) from our pack.

Martin: Mark Blundell should be the best draw as he did it last year and knows what to expect. He has a bit of confidence in the car and the upper hand.

Julian: I would say Mark too as he has the most experience. The cars are not difficult to drive but they are quirky with paddle shifts and the boost button.

Damon: I think Perry seems to be very motivated, strangely, I don’t know why!

Finally, would this be their last outing together?

Martin: I sincerely hope not this is not the final outing for the rat pack. It depends how much entertainment we put on.

Julian: It depends how many cars Volkswagen will have left.

Perry: Everything has kicked off just as we thought and the banter is flowing. It is down to the joy that Volkswagen have in motorsport to provide a platform for us to be us again, so we need to thank them for that.

Damon: Yes, I’m going to do this weekend and move on!

Tickets for the DTM-supporting VW Scirocco R-Cup are available on the gate for £10 on Friday and £15 on Saturday, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk

The visitors started the day on 244 for 4 with David Sales and James Middlebrook well set and an 157 run partnership behind them and the pair went on to add another 48 before Kent finally made the breakthrough.

It was Sales that went first as he looked to sweep James Tredwell after hitting the spinner for two fours, but all he succeeded in doing was paddling the ball into the greatful gloves of Geraint Jones.

He walked off to some warm applause from the St Lawrence faithful, having put on a record fifth wicket stand of 205 against Kent with Middlebrook.

Just six more runs were added to the score when the former Essex all-rounder was himself dismissed as Matt Coles speared one through his defences trapping him lbw for 73.

Sensing a chance to knock over their opponents for a reasonable score, Kent went looking for more wickets, but a counter attack from Con de Lange and David Willey put the bowlers to the sword.

In the end, the pair were to put on 100 for the seventh wicket with Willey finally out for 64 as he was caught in the deep by Scott Newman off Darren Stevens bowling.

Lee Daggett followed shortly after as he chipped one from Tredwell to skipper Rob Key at mid on and the innings was wrapped up not long later when Jack Brooks dragged the ball on from Stevens having smashed two big sixes.

With Rob Newton unable to bat after sustaining a broken bone just above his left hand on Wednesday, Northants left the field at 418 for 9.

Kent’s reply started solidly with Key and Newman looking to lay the platform for the middle order, but the latter was undone by a superb ball by Daggett that cleaned him up for 16.

Having passed the hundred mark, Key and Ben Harmison were starting to look comfortable at the crease with the pair putting on 63 for the second wicket before the latter drove a wide ball from former Kent all-rounder Andrew Hall into the hands of Willey at backward point.

From Hall’s next over from the Nackington Road End, he managed to entice Key into clipping the ball into the gloves of former Kent keeper Niall O’Brien for 48.

Both Mike Powell and Brendan Nash faced some uncomfortable overs in fading light with the floodlights on as Northants went for another wicket, but the pair held firm and will look to come out in the morning and put on a stand of some significance.

Northants won the toss and elected to bat first

Umpires: NGB Cook & NGB Cowley

Kent side: Key, Newman, Harmison, Nash, Powell, Stevens, Jones, Tredwell, Coles, Davies, Shreck.

Northants side: Peters, Newton, Coetzer, Sales, Hall, O’Brien, Middlebrook, De Lange, Willey, Daggett, Brooks.

Close of play day two: Northants 418 for 9 (144.3 overs), Kent 123 for 3 (47 overs)

Picture by Sarah Ansell. To see more of Sarah’s pictures, visit www.sarahcanterbury.com

Howe won no fewer than four end of season trophies, including players’ player and supporters’ player of the year.

Liam Daish who himself has just put pen to paper and signed up for two years, said “to have Paul and Joe on board so soon after the end of last season shows their commitment to the club, I have been holding talks with other players and more signings will follow over the next couple of weeks, as many of the players are taking holidays at this time.

“With the club finishing in such a good position last season, I am obviously keen to build and improve on that success”

Liam is hoping to keep a strong nucleus of last season’s squad; club director Jessica McQueen said “I am obviously pleased to have Paul and Joe back with us. The talks with Liam and his signing taking place fairly quickly and several weeks before his current contract ended has given the club a real confidence boost.”

The club also announced that Johnny Herd and Clint Easton have been released from the club and would like to thank them both for their contributions to the clubs success.

Liam Daish’s side will take on Leyton Orient at Stonebridge Road on Saturday 21st July with trips to face Tonbridge Angels and Maidstone United planned in the same month.

Three matches have been approved as follows:

Saturday 14th July v. Tonbridge Angels (away) Kick-Off: 3-00pm

Saturday 21st July v. Leyton Orient (home) Kick-Off: 3-00pm

Tuesday 31st July v. Maidstone United (away) Kick-Off: 7-45pm

One other high-profile friendly has been arranged for Tuesday 17th July but the opponents do not wish this to be made public yet.

Discussions are progressing well with other clubs for friendlies especially home games, further information will be forthcoming when this happens.

The Maidstone based rally driver is buoyed after securing half of the budget she needs to complete her six-event campaign in the Nokia-backed series.

Cook, won the Production Car World Rally Championship support category on Rallye Monte-Carlo in January in her Ford Fiesta ST. She elected not to include the recent rounds in Mexico and Argentina because of the additional costs associated with competing on the flyaway events.

“We made a decision to take the massive leap to the WRC only a day before the final deadline for the entry of the championship,” explained the 24-year-old. “I purposely nominated my events to be the most logistically economical and also to allow a large enough gap to seek out the massive financial support I need to compete at this level.”

Cook added: “I’ve managed to raise half of my WRC budget but I still have a long way to go. I came up with [my] Promotion50 campaign where companies invest £50 and whilst receiving a small sticker showing support on the rear of her car, there are also winners chosen at random for each round who receive larger places on the rally car.

“It’s going to be tough, but I am keeping calm and realistic and looking forward to returning to the events in 2013 when things will start becoming a little easier.”

The Acropolis Rally is based in Loutraki from 25-27 May. It will be Cook’s first appearance on the gravel round.