Medway avoided a third successive derby defeat at the hands of Gravesend with a 40-28 Regional 2 South East win on the road.

Gs won both league games last season, but were this time made to pay for failing to take their chances.

Medway struck first with Jonah Hyde finishing off good work by brother Noah, Dan Jackson and Harry Gibbons. Harrison Fermor added the extras.

Gravesend’s Ben Stelfox capitalised on some good play with their first try, and George Bruce gave them the lead for the only time in the afternoon with a fine drop kick after 18 minutes.

Medway went back in front with a training-ground move that saw passes missing out players, dummy runs, loops and pin-point accuracy by wing Conor Chalmers, skipper Antony Clement and his fellow centre Max Bullock - the latter gliding over with Fermor topping up the extras.

The lead was stretched when John Sipawa pounced upon a loose ball, fed fly-half Charlie Wardzynski and he passed to Bullock who outpaced the Gravesend defence for his second try, Fermor again accurate with his conversion.

Back came the hosts and Zac Filmer’s excellent solo try was converted to reduce Medway’s half-time lead to just four points.

The second-half was a struggle for the visitors but the front row of Harry Campbell, Josh Knight and Deji Oyesla dug in. Gs had at least 15 carries and three scrums near the tryline, but Medway held firm until a home penalty left the sides separated by a point with 20 minutes left.

Medway replacements Jack Nickalls, Cole Purslow and Mac Perry entered the fray to freshen things up and, from a lineout, Jordan Stubbington touched down and Fermor did his bit from the tee.

Back came Gravesend with a clever lineout, catch and drive and try from Stan Dadson to close to within three, but a superb pass by Oyesla allowed Fermor to race over the line and Medway led by eight with five minutes to go.

The drama wasn’t finished, however. Another press from Gravesend earned them a penalty, which sailed between the posts, and the last few minutes included a yellow card against Medway for an unintentional high tackle.

Gravesend had an opportunity to catch and drive a lineout to win the game, Medway dug deep to keep their lead and when they retrieved a spilt ball it was recycled through many phases before Noah Hyde crossed the line to score the try of the day, Harrison’s conversion rounding off the scoring.

Medway, fifth in the standings, host bottom-of-the-table Old Colfeians on Saturday while Gravesend, who are second from bottom, visit 10th-placed Thurrock.