DARTFORDIANS are top of Kent One after Saturday’s victory at Shooters Hill.

They overtook Cranbrook as leaders but they had to fight hard to get on top of Shoots’ forward power.

Visitors Dartfordians missed a penalty but their quick work around the scrum was immediately evident and they scored first from a kick ahead.

Shoots worked their way into the opposition 22 enabling centre Peter Evans to cross for an unconverted try.

No 8 Dave Viney typically brushed off defenders as Shoots had a period of dominance but a penalty saw the visitors finish the half 10-5 up.

Darts’ runners had the measure of the Shoots defence, scoring four times.

Shoots kept going and replacement front row Jack Mahoney squeezed over the line from a maul before Edmar Vinluan converted.

More successful driving by the Shoots pack took them within two metres of the visitors’ line in the final minutes but they just failed to add further points.

Dartfordians’ try scorers were Simon Briggs, Tom Peryier, Mike Briggs, Dan Phillips and Chris Nathanial.

Kieran Kent added three conversions and a penalty.

Shoots slip to eighth place but take stock of their injury list over the Christmas break determined to give their all.

Their next match is at home to Old Gravesendians on January 5.