Darren Stevens was an early-season centurion for Kent on the opening day of their three-day match against Loughborough University at Canterbury.

Loughborough elected to field after winning the toss, and then spent a tiring day at St Lawrence as Kent piled up 435-5 off 104.1 overs.

Stevens led the way with an unbeaten 158, and there were also half centuries from Sam Northeast (64) and Geraint Jones (54), with the latter celebrating the birth of his first child, a baby boy named Rhys, who arrived over the weekend.

Joe Denly (36) and Martin van Jarsveld (34), easing his way back after injury, also joined in the fun as the Kent batsmen gained some valuable time in the middle in the summer-like conditions.