TEENAGER Jason Roy became the first Surrey batsman to score a Twenty20 hundred as the Lions maintained their charge towards the semi-finals.

Roy showed his undoubted potential with a remarkable 57-ball century.

The 19-year-old hit an unbeaten 101 on only his third Twenty20 appearance to earn his team a 38-run win over Kent at Beckenham.

The former Whitgift School pupil smashed five sixes and 11 fours off 57 balls. He was well backed by Steven Davies (42) and Andrew Symonds (31) as Surrey piled up 201-4. Symonds then took 5-18 with his off-spin as Kent were limited to 163-8 in reply.

"I'm absolutely over the moon with that," said Roy (pictured right). "To know that I'm the first batsmen to score a hundred in Twenty20 for Surrey is a remarkable achievement.

"With all the great players who have played for the county, that feels great. I just love batting, love hitting the ball and to score the runs that sets up a big win like that is a fantastic feeling.

"We're going well now and we're confident we can keep the run going."

Surrey remain in second place in the South Group, leaving Kent next-to-bottom with just two wins in eight matches.

Largely courtesy of the efforts of Roy, particularly in a stand of 63 in five overs with Symonds, Surrey totalled 200 for the second time in 24 hours, one more than they had posted in their victory at The Oval against Hampshire the previous evening. A tight bowling display coupled with athletic fielding ensured a sixth defeat in eight outings for the subdued Spitfires, despite Martin van Jaarsveld's 82 from 49 balls.

After a sluggish start that saw them lose three of their opening four matches Surrey are now in good shape to qualify for the semi-finals.

They will hope to build on their momentum when they take on Essex in Chelmsford this evening.