Darren Stevens made sure the Canterbury crowd were entertained as Kent Spitfires completed their home Friends Life t20 campaign on Monday evening with a 62-run defeat against holders Hampshire Royals.

The all-rounder's big hitting was the bright spot on an otherwise subdued night. He clubbed three sixes and two fours in his 39 off 28 balls as the Spitfires, needing 186 to win, finished on 123-9.

They failed to repeat their victory at Southampton eight days earlier, with group leaders Royals already assured of a place in the quarter-finals next week.

Stevens' first six, off Liam Dawson, which scattered his own team-mates in the Kent dug-out, was followed next ball by another massive hit into the crowd. He blasted a ball from another left-arm spinner, Danny Briggs, for a third.

However, Dawson, who finished with 4-19, had the last laugh, with Stevens scooping the ball into the hands of retiring Hampshire captain Dimitri Mascarenhas to end the night as a contest.

Alex Blake was stumped first ball, Ben Harmison drove into the hands of James Vince at long-on, before stand-in captain Geraint Jones and Matt Coles soon followed.

Mark Davies was run out without scoring and proceeded to shake hands with the opposition, only to then realise the game wasn't over - but the end wasn't long coming.

Earlier. Sam Billings (21) and Stevens added 60 for the third wicket in eight overs after openers Daniel Bell-Drummond (12) and Fabian Cowdrey (13) had both departed in the space of one run.

Michael Carberry made 83 not out off only 56 balls, including 11 fours and a six, in the Royals' 185-6. It continued his great form against his former county, having scored 154 and 66 in the four-day championship draw with Kent earlier this month.

He added 94 for the fourth wicket with Neil McKenzie, who hit 45 from 35 balls including five fours and a six. Dawson added a quick 17 at the end before being bowled by Mitch Claydon with the the last ball of the innings.

The Spitfires finish their t20 season against Sussex Sharks at Hove on Wednesday.