Medway started as they meant to go on in their 33-19 Regional 2 South East win at Dartfordians.

Just two minutes were on the clock when Harrison Fermor broke down the wing and made it all the way to the try line for an unconverted score.

Dartfordians fought back hard but Medway’s defence stayed strong until the 14th minute when the home forwards combined to cross the whitewash. The conversion gave them a two-point lead.

That slim advantage didn’t last long. Max Bullock took possession after a lineout, broke through the resistance and touched down. Fermor’s extras made it 12-7 and the gap widened when prop Deji Oyesola found space on the edge of a breakdown. His try and Fermor’s kick increased the lead to 12 points.

The hosts had the final say in the first half, an interception leading to their second score, but the extras were off target.

A second-half yellow card for Oyesola didn’t hold the away side back and, after several phases, John Sipawa crossed under the posts, setting up an easy conversion for Fermor. Replacement Charlie Wardzynski then combined with Sipawa who made good ground before feeding Bullock, who did the rest with the score topped up for 33-12.

A late penalty try gave Dartfordians the last word, but Medway’s win, with Richie Ajuzie named man of the match, leaves them third ahead of the final game of 2024 at home to strugglers Gravesend on Saturday.