Canterbury stormed to a big victory at home to fourth placed Clifton in National League 2 South.

The 51-17 victory lifted Canterbury up one place to fifth and six points behind Saturday’s beaten opponents Clifton.

Clifton had inflicted a first defeat of the season on leaders Barking the week before, but they were torn apart at Merton Lane on Saturday, as Canterbury ran in six tries.

Canterbury were playing into the wind in the first half but a solid display set them up to cruise to victory in the second.

All six of the tries were converted by fly-half Phil Gibson and he also put away three penalty goals, on top of a fine solo try, at a crucial moment in the match. His personal point haul totalled 21.

Cristoff Blom crashed over from a driving maul for Canterbury after just four minutes, but Clifton replied swiftly with a converted score.

Get De Kock scored the second try before Clifton piled on the pressure. It was only when Tom Rogers received a yellow and Canterbury were reduced to 14 that the visitors scored again.

The conversion hit the post, leaving Canterbury 14-12 ahead.

Gibson converted two of his three penalties before the break and he scored his impressive try early in the second to put Canterbury well ahead.

Mike Melford raced over the extend the lead before the visitors got one back, making it 34-17.

Blom scored his second try of the match, 18-year-old replacement wing Will Alkin registered his first National League try and Gibson added another three points in the rout.

Canterbury: De Kock, Littlechild (Alkin), Thomas, Sykes, Melford, Gibson, Long (Weigh), Stanford (Livesey), Rogers, Pinnick (McArthur), Keir, Roche (Lister), Hinkins, Kelly, Blom.