With the sun in their faces, Gravesend came out of the blocks with pace at Rectory Field as within one minute of the kick-off, early pressure saw G’s win the loose ball for lock Ziggy Stevens to crash over near the posts, debutant Dave Dalton adding the conversion for 7-0.

Gravesend came straight back from the restart only to be penalised for not releasing in the tackle, and with penalties going either way the next ten minutes saw neither XV gaining any advantage.

Maidstone were forced to defend their line as the home side started to run the ball at every opportunity with good inter passing involving backs and forwards, hooker Warren McKee, showing some light footwork, found his way through for G’ second try on thirteen minutes for 12-0.

Maidstone were putting in some good tackles as Gravesend seemed to take a metre further than necessary, with players outside some promising moves broke down.

It was again the combination of ball play between the half-backs and the G’s back row that culminated in No. 8 Sox Stevens touching down for the third and 17-0.

From the restart, Gravesend were found in disarray, Stones’ winger Neil Graves brought the game back inside home territory but as his break looked to be covered he increased his pace to run in un-opposed.

Ryan Mills made no mistake with his conversion and Maidstone were on the board at 17-7.

The game became bogged down as G’s attacks were faltering and Stones continually spoiling and killing the play.

Gravesend started to put some good rugby together as scrum-half Clement sent his forwards away, better ball retention and good interplay with Gray and Saunders in the middle went unrewarded.

On one of these forays Clement took a heavy knock to a leg and was replaced on thirty-five minutes. Nolan moved to scrum-half, Adam Bishop to the wing and Matt Weighman taking his place in the centre.

The game being played in the visitors half and again with the back row rampant it was the turn of Rob Hussey to come away with the ball to force his way over. The conversion missed.

With Stones continuously infringing on the floor it was only time before the yellow card was shown and as the half came to a close, Mike Molloy was sent to the sin bin.

The score at half-time remained 22-7.

The second half started where the first left off, Gs winning the drop out, Nolan going forward and on the second of these well timed angled runs he skipped pass four defenders to put the ball down by the upright.

Dalton added the kick as Gravesend moved comfortably on to 29-7.

With the game seemingly safe, and Gs going forward at will, more contact running was made than was necessary, and this possibly cost the home side a number of scoring chances.

Never-the-less, constant pressure was to be rewarded when quick ball moved from Gray to Weighman, Gray on the loop took the return and made the space for Tom Bishop to force his way down the wing to touch down what was to be the first of his hat-trick as Gs increased the lead to 34-7.

With Molloy back on at fifty minutes and Maidstone back at full strength, there was still to be no respite. Hooker Pankhurst was sent to the bin for handling the ball at the ruck, and from the resulting penalty Gs were away again.

Quickly taken penalty, forwards linking to take the ball forward, Nolan recycling, and Gray’s looping run again timed to perfection as Bishop grabbed his second wide out and a score of 39-7.

Sox Stevens gave way for Rab Forbes at the end of the third quarter and Gravesend continued to enjoy success at the set pieces with line-out ball coming from Abbey, and latterly Forbes at the back of the line, both prominent with the ball in hand.

It seemed everyone wanted to get on the score sheet, a plethora of possession, a goal line waiting to be crossed, and with attacking running going perhaps a step to far, it was loose ball that had to be cleared up, adding to the visitors chance to spoil.

Forbes soon gained reward for his work at the breakdown as he made his own space to cross in the centre, Dalton successful with the conversion for 46-7.

The Bishop brothers added one more try each with Dalton kicking his fourth goal. Desperate Stones continued to infringe and with time running out they lost their third player, Ben Court to the sin bin.

Frustration in the visitors’ game and off ball scuffles erupting again, players were kept from further punishment as the whistle brought an end to the game.

Four Gravesend first team regulars missing through injury, today’s performance gave a good indication of G’s current strength in depth and shows promise for the season’s games yet to be played.

Final score of 58-7 and the win keeps Gravesend at the top of the table with 18 points. Chichester faltered at home to Dover, going down 6-7 but remain in second place. Cobham stay in third place, also with 16 points, but behind on point’s difference. Dover are up to fourth, ahead of Chobham.

Next week: Away to Thanet Wanderers kick-off 14.30