Maidstone Rugby Club are targeting a place in the National League after clinching the London 2 South East title.

Victory over Crowborough on Saturday wrapped up the championship and booked Maidstone’s place in London 1 South next season after a five-year absence.

But head coach Paul Hathaway insists this promotion is just one step on the way to a greater goal.

He said: “It’s been a long road for the club to get back here. It’s a higher level and it means the club will be able to attract a better quality of player.

“But we want to push on for National 3 next year. The players know they can achieve that standard of rugby.

“The difficulty next year is that we’ve got to sustain that intensity week in, week out. That’s the next challenge for us.

“We’ve climbed a few rungs this year – the standard of rugby has improved, the mental capacity of the players has improved and the infrastructure of the club has improved.”

They go to Old Colfeians this Saturday before heading to Twickenham for the Intermediate Cup final on Sunday, May 3.