LANCASHIRE moved from one grudge match to another today as they launched their Championship campaign at Canterbury.

After another controversial clash with old rivals Derbyshire ended in victory in the Benson and Hedges Cup yesterday, they took on a Kent side whose attitude was slammed by former coach David Lloyd at the Lancashire AGM in the winter.

Kent, beaten by Lancashire in last year's B&H final, came to Old Trafford in the penultimate week of the season, bottom of the Championship and top of the Sunday League, while Lancashire still had an outside chance in both competitions.

There was heavy rain before the game, but the umpires were prepared to start if both captains agreed.

Kent's Mark Benson refused, not wanting to risk injury to his players before the Sunday League game.

So the first, second and fourth days were totally washed out.

Benson was ruled out of the Kent team for today's clash by injury which eased the tension between the sides.

Kent were also without Dean Headley, the seamer who is tipped for Test honours this season after making a big impression on the A-tour of Pakistan.

Carl Hooper has replaced de Silva as their overseas player and started the season in good form as Kent, like Lancashire, have won their first three Benson and Hedges Cup qualifying games.

But Lancashire's win at Derbyshire ended in farce last night. The game seemed to be heading for a washout with each side taking one point until the heavy rain relented for play to start at 4.20pm.

Lancashire then extended their overnight 70 for six to 107 for seven, with a useful stand of 35 between Neil Fairbrother and Warren Hegg. But then with 25 overs gone, exactly the minimum for a result to stand on faster scoring rate, umpires Trevor Jesty and Ken Palmer offered Hegg and Ian Austin the light.

They accepted and players came off to shouts of "cheat" and "disgrace" from the Derbyshire members.

That still wasn't it as, after a 20 minute delay, the umpires decided that the light had improved, and ordered Lancashire to resume their innings

. But the target was reduced to 121 and Hegg and Austin knocked off the 14 runs still needed with a minimum of fuss.

With Warwickshire's game at Durham washed out, Lancashire are now top of the table with six points from three games.

Glenn Chapple struck early blows, trapping Fulton lbw for five and Matthew Fleming on eight, leaving Kent on 14 for two before Trevor Ward (31 not out) and Carl Hooper (15 not out) rallied to take the total to 63 from 22 overs before bad light stopped play.

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