Nik Van Mol and Mike Melford both ran in hat-tricks as Canterbury eased to 77-3 home win over Tonbridge Juddians in the second round of the Kent Cup.

Juddians - last season's finalists - paid a heavy price for fielding a weakened side even though Canterbury were themselves missing half a dozen players from their regular first team squad.

With total superiority up front and some real pace behind the scrums Canterbury attacked from all angles to score 36 points in the first half. The best of their six tries was a brilliant solo effort from fly-half Tom Best.

It might have been dispiriting for the visitors but they never lacked fight or effort and got the first score of the second half through a penalty goal from Jack Mutch. They also went close to crossing the line twice during those second 40 minutes but each time former Canterbury man Ollie Robinson was denied by last ditch defence.

Two front row injuries to Judds players led to uncontested scrums and as Canterbury powered on Van Mol and skipper Melford both completed hat- tricks in great style while Martyn Beaumont - an ever present threat from full back - claimed two tries.

Best also weighed in with his second while Benn Smith, George Micans and Jim Green were the other try scorers. Best added four conversions and Beaumont two.

Caption: Canterbury pile on the pressure against Tonbridge Juddians