Medway’s hopes of settling the score with Gravesend were dashed after a 37-17 defeat in Regional 2 South East.

Gs won 33-19 at Priestfields earlier in the season but their margin of victory was even greater this time - despite the sides’ positions in the table with the hosts down in 12th and Medway fifth.

It took the home team four minutes to take the lead. A Medway knock-on provided the hosts with a scrum and a good kick and a lineout produced a catch and drive for the opening try. The conversion made it 7-0.

Medway then settled down and some good, quick rugby asked questions of Gravesend. The defence held firm, though, and when the visitors transgressed a long-range penalty for Gs added another three points to their tally.

Fly-half Owen Church-Mills reduced the arrears after a high tackle on winger Mac Perry won Medway a penalty - and left the opposition down to 14 after a yellow card.

But Gravesend upped their tempo and commitment, running with power through their bigger, stronger forwards. Another try soon followed for 17-3 and when lock Jordan Stubbington was shown a yellow card for a failed interception another rolling maul gave Gs their third touchdown and a 24-3 advantage.

Further first-half damage followed with Gravesend’s fourth, bonus-point try, leaving Medway with a mountain to climb.

Medway enjoyed a bright spell at the start of the second half with some huge carries and tackles from player of the day Zeki Yesilmen as full-back Ben Dance crossed the whitewash with Church-Mills converting. However a yellow card for centre Max Bullock was pounced upon and Gravesend extended their lead to 37-10 with five minutes remaining.

Medway had the final say when Bullock fed flanker Jonah Hyde to score, with Church-Mills converting.

The defeat drops Medway to sixth while Gravesend are up to eighth in the standings. The clubs return to action on January 6, with Medway at home to Sidcup and Gs welcoming Cobham.