Minster captain Nathan Nichol admitted his side may have taken "a step too far this season" after they suffered relegation on Saturday.

A crushing 213-run defeat at Hayes meant that Minster will be back in Shepherd Neame Kent League, Division 3 after just one season in the second division.

The Gilbert Hall club had achieved six promotions in the previous seven seasons and Nichol, who took over the captaincy from James White midway through this summer’s campaign, said: "Maybe Division 2 was a step too far for us this season but I don’t think we should be too hard on ourselves because not many teams have achieved such a rapid rise.

"We have still got a good team and a good club and now we have to regroup for next season."

Minster went into Saturday’s final game knowing that they had to force a victory to have any chance of staying up and so Nichol put the home side in.

The Minster bowling attack has been key to the side’s recent success but Hayes hammered 284-4 off their 50 overs, led by openers Mark Whetren (81) and Adam Dicker (65).

With their batting consistently frail this season, Minster hopes of reaching their target ended when their top four batsmen all went cheaply.

Minster were eventually bowled out for 71 in 27 overs to confirm their relegation with bottom club High Halstow and Nichol (pictured) added: "We have no excuses. We just didn’t turn up again on Saturday and that’s been the case too often this season."