DARTFORD’S away match with Minster on the Isle of Sheppey started in strange fashion after they were greeted with a wet wicket following a week of glorious sunshine.

Minster won the toss and decided to bat first despite the conditions. Sam Jewiss (1-18) and Brinn Osland (1-43), the two Dartford quickies, struck early.

However, a couple of partnerships by the Minster middle order started to build a decent score for the home team.

Adam Clarke (2-30) then came into the attack and removed another two Minster batsmen, but the home side battled on and passed the 100 mark with five wickets in hand.

It was at this point spinner Mark Collyer (4-20) and Ian Rossiter (2-36) combined to strangle the Minster line-up and restrict them to 162 all out from their 50 overs.

Dartford knew a positive start would all but kill off the game and captain Garry Cook, together with Jay Dassrath, provided one.

The wicket continued to be difficult but the openers managed to put on 91 for the first wicket.

Dassrath was dismissed LBW for 27, which meant Jim Lowrie then came to the crease.

Lowrie attacked from the start and blasted a quick-fire 33 before being caught in the deep.

With 15 runs required, Ron Turner was the new batsman and immediately hit a huge six over the bowler’s head.

With 10 overs remaining, Cook (68no) then dispatched Minster’s off spinner into the adjacent houses for six to seal a convincing win by eight wickets.

The Darts now have two wins from three games so far this season with the first game a no result due to the poor weather at the beginning of May.