JASON Roy celebrated signing a contract until the end of the season with Surrey by breaking records for the Twenty20 side.

The 19-year-old scored an unbeaten century (101) – the first by a Surrey player in the shortest form of the game – as they beat Kent by 38 runs last Wednesday.

The former Whitgift pupil's record score was achieved in just 57 balls.

"I was lost for words really," the Reigate Priory player told the Advertiser. "It was just such a great experience. It was fortunate for it to happen so early on in my career."

While he "hopes" his success leads to chances in the longer format of the game with the county, he said: "I'm not too fussed which level I get the chance in.

"I would like to play the longer forms of the game if they feel I'm ready.

"It's one of those things. If you get the opportunity you have to take it and if that's in the longer form I'll take it."

Roy's performance included five sixes and 11 fours as he was 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.

The result put Surrey firmly in the picture for a quarter-final spot, although this hope took a dent as they went down to Essex in a remarkable encounter at Chelmsford on Friday night - a game they dominated from start to finish until a final few crazy overs cost them dear.

Having lost the toss, Surrey set about amassing a competitive total of 187-6, wicket-keeper Steven Davies hitting a Twenty20 best 89 off 50 deliveries.

In reply, the home side quickly fell behind the run rate, going into the final five overs still needing 70.

But Scott Styris hit a breathtaking 106 not out, judging his innings superbly as he hit a six off the penultimate ball to win on 188-4 and send the home fans into raptures.

This time Roy could only manage 29 (struck off just 17 balls) but the player did enough to impress the Sky TV pundits.

And Roy is keen to use the momentum from these innings to carry him into the side in the longer formats too.

He has been working hard with Surrey's back room staff to ensure that he can develop his game from being a T20 specialist into a more all round batsmen.

"Graham Thorpe has helped me a lot," said Roy of Surrey's batting coach. "He has taken my game to the next level. He's made me mature as a player.

"He's helped me in all areas, not just tactically but mentally, timing an innings. It's never been an issue with me getting runs."

Roy looks likely to be given further chances in the T20 with Surrey's campaign continuing with three home matches at the Oval in a row, tomorrow (Friday) against Somerset, on Sunday (Glamorgan) and next Thursday (Middlesex).