WORCESTERSHIRE Royals slipped deeper into National League Division One relegation trouble with an eight-wicket defeat against Kent Spitfires at Canterbury last night.

The County came back down to earth quickly following their Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy semi-final victory, as Kent reached their 226-run target with more than eight overs to spare.

Andrew Symonds hit an unbeaten 93 and was well supported by Michael Carberry, whose 79 was his best score in the competition.

Victory moved the Spitfires above the Royals to seventh in the table, two points behind Leicestershire.

Kent suffered a blow early in their victory chase, losing Robert Key lbw to Kabir Ali for four in the fifth over. But the Royals had little further success as Carberry and Symonds dominated the bowling.

There was a 14-minute hold-up in play when the lights failed on one of the pylons but the disruption did little to affect their concentration.

Carberry did enjoy some good fortune. He was lucky not to be run out on 26, and then after hitting a four and a six in one over from Matt Mason to reach 40, Graeme Hick dropped him at slip off Nantie Hayward.

He celebrated his let-off with a four to cover off Justin Kemp and reached his 50 from only 42 balls, including nine fours and a six.

Symonds made his half century from 38 balls, with seven fours and two sixes.

The Royals eventually broke the partnership in the 21st over when Carberry square cut Vikram Solanki straight to Hick at point, ending a stand of 130 in just 16 overs.

Carberry had faced just 74 balls and hit 12 fours and a six.

Symonds and Matthew Walker (30) added 72 in an unbroken stand with the winning hit coming after 36.2 overs. Symonds struck 10 boundaries and four sixes in his 82-ball innings.

Earlier, Worcestershire hit 225 for eight having got off to a flying start after deciding to make first use of a fine batting wicket.

In aggressive mood, Solanki put on 79 for the first wicket with Anurag Singh. His half-century came from just 58 balls and included seven boundaries and a six.

Worcestershire then lost two wickets to off-spinner James Tredwell. He had Singh caught behind and then dismissed Hick (four) from a skied catch at wide mid-on.

After 25 overs the Royals lost their third wicket with Solanki (70) offering a simple return catch, from a push, to Symonds and 29 runs later, on 145, off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan moved the ball away from Kemp (12) and taking the edge for a low slip catch.

Worcestershire lost their last five wickets for just 63 despite a late flourish from David Leatherdale (22) and Kabir (21) and their total was to prove inadequate.