Sheppey Rugby Club’s superb end to the Kent 1 season reached new heights on Saturday as they swept newly-crowned champions Dartfordians aside 33-8.

It took their winning run to seven in the last eight matches, after they had been in the relegation zone for the first half of the season and delighted coach Frank Davis said: "It was a great result and I was proud of all of them again. Every one of the 18 players who were involved did their bit."

Dartfordians came to The Ditch boasting just one defeat in their 20 league games but they were thrown on the back foot right from the start.

Sheppey went 3-0 ahead through a Bradley Box penalty and, with the Island side’s pack again dominant, the first try soon followed when John Kelly crashed over from close range. Box converted for 10-0.

Dartfordians eventually began to settle and put some good phases together, resulting in a fine unconverted try by the backs for 10-5.

Sheppey re-grouped and Box slotted another penalty for 13-5 before Steve Croall ran in their second try, converted by Box to make the score 20-5.

Realising the game was slipping away, Darts picked up the pace as half-time approached but stubborn defence kept the Sheppey line intact.

Box increased the lead to 23-5 with another penalty, then a blindside run by Kelly enabled him to draw the opposing wing before slipping a pass inside for Chris Champ to score.

Box converted to make it 30-5 before the fly-half added another penalty, and although Dartfordians added a late penalty they knew that on this occasion they had been well beaten.

Sheppey have one league game left, at Gillingham Anchorians on April 10, in what will be Davis’s last game in charge before he steps down from his position as coach.