Centuries from batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond and Joe Denly ensured Kent earned a season-opening County Championship Division 1 draw against Somerset at Canterbury on Monday.

Having to overcome a first-innings deficit, the home side were briefly in trouble on the final day at 68-3.

But far too many overs had been lost on days one and two for either side to force a result, as Kent reached 290-4 in their second innings.

New Kent captain Bell-Drummond was unbeaten on 107 at the close while Denly was dismissed for 110.

“It was an interesting first game of the year,” reflected Bell-Drummond.

“There were some good signs for us - probably not on the scoreboard - we left a few runs out there in the first innings.

“I really think the guys bowled well and put in a good shift, but they probably got a bit tired towards the end of the day and that (Kasey) Aldridge and (James) Rew partnership hurt us. But there were some very good signs.

“They put us in a sticky spot today. There was only one team that could win that, so I was thankful myself and Joe batted nicely. Jack (Leaning) had a good start, as well.

“The openers are looking good - the runs will come there - so there’s some good signs but, also, some lessons learned.

“We want to be bossing the game, not batting to save it.”

Somerset all-rounder Kasey Aldridge had set out his intentions early as he drove the first ball of the day off Nathan Gilchrist (3-64) through the covers for four.

But not long after, Gilchrist got his revenge. Aldridge tried to hook through the leg-side, only to be superbly caught by Kent vice-captain Jack Leaning for 57.

The visitors then lost their penultimate wicket when Ned Leonard was run-out for one by Bell-Drummond at mid-off off Gilchrist’s bowling to leave Somerset 390-9.

Jake Ball blasted his first ball for a maximum but he was bowled for seven by Gilchrist to leave Somerset 403 all out - which was a first-innings lead of 119 runs.

Faced with more than an hour before lunch, Kent lost both openers in quick succession. Ben Compton was caught behind by James Rew for three off Ball (1-39) and Tawanda Muyeye was caught by Tom Banton for seven from Josh Davey’s bowling (1-12) in four balls to leave them reeling at 10-2.

Leaning and Bell-Drummond dug in well at this stage, though.

A 50-run partnership, which included some strong away lbw shouts, chipping away at Somerset’s advantage. They had reached 68-2 by lunch.

The visitors turned to Lewis Goldsworthy’s spin (2-73) at the start of the afternoon session and he bowled Leaning in excellent fashion for 32 with only his fifth ball.

But Denly and Bell-Drummond nudged Kent ahead in a sign of things to come from the experienced duo.

Former England international Denly appeared near his fluent best and he moved to his half-century with a boundary in the 32nd over.

A much more sedate Bell-Drummond followed, reaching 50 in 88 balls with a single off Lewis Gregory (0-36) in the 37th over.

As the match drifted towards a draw, they had reached 228-3 at tea.

The landmarks kept coming for Kent in a short evening session.

A ball after Denly and Bell-Drummond had put on a 200-run partnership, Denly edged Goldsworthy for two to bring up his century in 121 balls. That included 11 fours and one maximum.

Bell-Drummond then brought up his first ton as Kent’s club captain in 159 balls with a 14th four of his innings, much to the delight of the home faithful.

Minutes before the end just after 4.45pm, Denly was caught by Matt Renshaw from Goldsworthy’s bowling.

New batsman Harry Finch was left with the simple task of seeing off two balls from Goldsworthy before the sides shook hands with Kent 290-4.

On his own century, Bell-Drummond said: “They bowled well at me.

“In that period before lunch, I was just struggling with a few things. I just made sure that I battled because I knew what I had to do for the team.

“The wicket was pretty nice. I just think they hit some good areas and there was some scoreboard pressure - like I said, only one team could win - so we just had to weather that storm.

“Once I got in, I was able to have good partnerships with Jack and Joe, and I was able to cash in.”

Somerset took 15 points from the game while Kent claimed 12.

Kent head coach Matt Walker said: “I’m pretty pleased overall.

“The fight today made me very proud actually. It could have been a sticky situation, behind going into that final innings.

“But I thought the way the guys played there - with that composure and calmness after losing a couple of early wickets - was excellent because that can create some twitchiness in the dressing room.

“I thought Jack started off with a partnership with Daniel and what followed in the partnership between Deebs and Joe was exceptional.

“It’s a good wicket - but you had to get through that tricky patch.

“The ball started spinning a little bit. But they showed their experience, their calmness and their skill by earning the right to make some big scores.”

Walker’s men visit Chelmsford to face Essex in their next County Championship Division 1 match from this Friday before they return to action at Canterbury to take on champions Surrey from next Friday.