Medway’s quest for an instant return to Regional 1 South East began with a 31-17 bonus-point win at Old Alleynians.

Ricky Reeves’ side struck after 15 minutes when a training-ground lineout was executed with skill for hooker Josh Knight to cross the whitewash. Charlie Wardzynski added the conversion. It took just three minutes for the Old Boys to respond via their left-winger, but the try was unconverted leaving the visitors two points ahead.

That advantage was soon wiped out with a second home try within five minutes of Medway’s opener. The extras, however, were again missed.

The next score went the visitors’ way when player-of-the-match No.8 Jordan Stubbington dashed 70m to outrun his pursuers. Wardzynski added the conversion only for Alleynians to reclaim the advantage, converting their score, for a three-point lead.

The first-half scoring was not complete, however, and the away side ended the first 40 on top when Henry Salter combined with Sean Marriott for the latter to finish off some impressive teamwork. Wardzynski made it three out of three with the boot.

Medway were forced to dig in after the break when flanker Adam Shaw was yellow-carded, but they survived the numerical disadvantage without conceding a point. The hosts then lost two men to yellow cards in quick succession for technical breaches.

Prop Jack Nickalls scored the final try for the away side, charging the stretched defence for his maiden touchdown for the 1st XV. Once again Wardzynski added the conversion before a penalty wrapped up proceedings.

This Saturday Medway travel to Cobham (3pm).