Inconsistent Maidstone came unstuck 14-9 at Sidcup in London 2 South on Saturday.

Maidstone led as early as the fifth minute when Piers Francis, in his last game for the club before leaving for New Zealand, converted a penalty.

Within five minutes, Sidcup confidently moved the ball through their three quarters and were awarded a penalty which Hardy converted to level the scores. He repeated the trick moments later to put the hosts ahead.

Maidstone struggled in the scrum against the physical Sidcup eight and before the break they had converted another penalty and crossed over for a try through winger Harris.

Hardy missed the conversion and Francis reduced the deficit just before the break with a 40-metre penalty after Sidcup pulled back a Maidstone player.

The 14-6 scoreline left the visitors with plenty to do in the second half, which was played predominantly in the Sidcup half but, despite a third successful Francis penalty, they were unable to pull the score back.