Maidstone's hopes of a first London 2 South win of the rugby season were dashed by a late try as Tunbridge Wells snatched an 18-16 victory at The Mote last Saturday.

For a side that had lost all 11 of their previous league games, Maidstone showed some fine combined play in the first half. They should have had the game wrapped up by the break, but having two players sin-binned in the second period took its toll.

Piers Francis slotted an early penalty to nose the Stones in front and he added a second before Wells replied with a penalty of their own.

Before half-time Mark Ryan scored under the posts.The conversion was a formality and Maidstone took a 13-3 half-time lead.

In the second half, John O’Brien was yellow carded for an illegal tackle and Wells took advantage with a try.

Francis responded with a penalty to give Maidstone an eight-point cushion with 10 minutes left.

But Jimmy Walker received a yellow card for persistent infringing, and from the penalty Wells reduced the deficit to five points.

Then, with the game deep into added time, Wells found their way over the line once more. The successful conversion was the last kick of the game to secure a dramatic victory for Wells.