Sheppey head coach Frank Davis has called on his players to show maturity when they travel to play Erith in Kent 1 on Saturday.

The last time the two teams met was at The Ditch when Sheppey suffered a narrow 18-14 defeat.

Davis said: “At the time there was only five points difference between us. They take an approach to the game that works for them.

“The approach is that they like to go and win the ball. At the time we weren’t as mature as we are now. We’ve got to front up a bit more and not let ourselves be bullied too much. We have to stand up and be counted.

“Erith have been doing that for the last few months and have got a few results out of it. Is there a long term future in it? I don’t think so. What we’re doing is the right way.

“Erith have got a lot of older players and at this time of the season fatigue can come into it. We haven’t got that issue because our players are so young.”

Sheppey go into the game on the back of a 20-10 defeat against leaders Medway.

Sheppey’s points came from a Brad Box penalty and a converted Chris Champ try.

“We are going in the right direction even though the result didn’t go our way,” said Davis.

Read more reaction from Frank Davis in this week’s Sheerness Times Guardian newspaper.