Van Jaarsveld top scored with 85 against Middlesex

Relief was the primary emotion in the Kent dressing room after the Spitfires registered their first victory in this season's Clyesdale Bank 40.

Kent beat Middlesex by eight wickets at Lord's, reaching their winning target of 177 with a full nine overs to spare.

"With a lot of young guys in the set-up it's a great feeling to get the first win under our belt," batsman Martin van Jaarsveld told BBC Radio Kent.

It was only Kent's second victory of the season in any format of the game.

They were narrowly beaten by Worcestershire in the Clydesdale Bank 40 on Sunday, and have lost both matches they have played in the County Championship since the opening fixture victory over Essex at Chelmsford.

Van Jaarsveld said: "We took the pace off the ball, got a few early wickets and the ball starting reversing a little bit later.

"I thought [bowler] Ashley Shaw was outstanding and it was a good solid all-round performance in the field.

"We restricted them to 170 on what was probably a 220 wicket and then we batted pretty well to get the runs very quickly."

Kent will hope to build on Monday's win when they return to championship action on Wednesday at home to Northamptonshire.

But with skipper Rob Key nursing a bruised thumb, Van Jaarsveld believes it will be a difficult task.

"Hopefully we can, but it's a different format and four-day cricket is all about getting 20 wickets.

"I think it's going to be pretty tough for us during the week as we're struggling with quite a few injuries, so it'll be hard work."

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