Medway couldn't take the derby spoils after a 30-15 Regional 1 South East defeat at Tunbridge Wells.

Trailing 20-7 at half-time, Taff Gwilliam's side failed to mount a comeback - despite the best efforts from Max Bullock, who scored Medway's second try and added a penalty.

Gwilliam said: “Despite losing the boys continued to battle with pride. Aspects of our game are improving but the fact is we lost to a better side on the day.”

The game kicked off with Medway playing into the elements. A Wells catch and drive was defended, however a couple of quick rucks narrowed the Medway defence and good handling skills from the hosts saw them score an unconverted try in the corner.

On 11 minutes the home side added to their lead with a penalty from George Montgomery in front of the posts. Medway then lost hooker Billy Humphrey to a head injury, replaced by prop Dan Huntley.

The home side's lead got bigger when, from a penalty kicked into the corner, they drove successfully for the line and added the extras - and 15-0 became 20-0 with an uncoverted try in the corner.

Conor Chalmers finally got the visitors on the scoreboard after good work from Cullen Daly and Bullock converted the extras. The try however came at a cost as Chalmers was forced to leave the field, replaced by Sean Marriott.

Medway’s troubles were compounded when Daly was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on, reducing his side 14.

The visitors had a try ruled out when Daly, back in play, crossed the whitewash but was adjudged to have knocked on. Despite this Medway kept up the pressure and four minutes later Bullock slotted a penalty to leave Medway 10 points adrift.

That kick, however, was cancelled out with more points from the boot of Montgomery following a transgression at the breakdown and on 75 minutes Tunbridge Wells put the result beyond with a converted try under the posts following an attacking scrum and good phase play.

Bullock had the last word when he broke a couple of tackles to score an unconverted try, but the defeat leaves Medway 10th in the table ahead of Saturday's game at home to high-flying Tring.