Gravesend stepped up their London 2 South title challenge with a 26-15 victory at Old Colfeians on Saturday.

They made a brisk start but repeated penalties allowed Colfeians to remain in contention territorially, and it was the home side who took the lead with a penalty by James Poole.

Gravesend hit back when Gary Gray’s cross kick gave Tony Nolan the chance to score. Gray converted and Gravesend were deservedly 7-3 in front.

In an extended first half Gravesend were still conceding penalties and it was perhaps no surprise that they fell 9-7 behind to a couple of injury-time penalties from Andy Howard.

The half-time team talk seemed to pay dividends and Gravesend were able to sustain territorial advantage through a series of fluent attacks.

Sox Stevens crashed over and Gray converted into the wind from the touchline to put Gravesend 14-9 in front.

On a rare excursion into Gravesend territory Colfeians were rewarded with another Howard penalty, but Gravesend were now playing all the rugby and Gray converted his own try to increase their lead to 21-12.

Howard kicked another penalty for Colfeians to make it 21-15, but Gravesend wrapped up victory in the final minute when Ziggy Stevens scored in the corner.