Canterbury on the attack against Gravesend. Picture: Chris Davey

Canterbury extended their lead at the top of National 3 London & South East after a comfortable 40-5 victory against Kent rivals Gravesend.

It was the perfect weekend for the city club as title rivals Dorking lost for the first time this season, which meant Canterbury take a four-point lead into this weekend’s crunch clash between the top two.

On Saturday, Canterbury scored six tries to earn a bonus point win, although Gravesend were the architects of their own downfall with Jamie Forsyth, Ian Harman and Viliame Stevens all sin-binned at different stages of the game.

Injuries to Gravesend’s Chris Anstey and Terry Papworth led to uncontested scrums and Canterbury took full advantage of the visitors’ problems.

Tries from Tom Best and Peter Kelly got the league leaders off and running, while Best added to the score with a penalty.

Scott Curley hit back with a try for Gravesend, but the penalty count continued to rise against them and Best slotted one over the posts before the break.

The home side made the most of their numerical advantage at the start of the second-half with a Best try and conversion, while Martyn Beaumont scored the bonus point try shortly after the hour mark.

The scoring was completed with tries from George Micans and Ricky Mackintosh, the latter converted by Will Hilton.

Do you think Canterbury will remain top of the National 3 table from now on? Have your say below.