After two difficult defeats on the road Beckenham hosted struggling Maidstone and finally put together the kind of performance they had been threatening all season as they delivered a nine try blitz to condemn the visitors to relegation.

Despite the final score, this was not an easy ride for the home side.

Early on Beckenham were under pressure from Maidstone’s back division who were trying to keep the ball away from the dominant home pack and it took strong defence in the opening quarter to keep them out, particularly from Brendon Hamilton and Pete Isaac.

Beckenham were first on the scoreboard when Pete Thorne emerged with the ball from under a pile of bodies having touched down after a fine drive following a great take by George Daniels in the lineout.

The conversion out wide was missed but the pattern for the rest of the game was set as Beckenham used their forwards to dominate the close exchanges and create the gaps for their powerful running backs.

Ted Mahutariki slotted over a penalty but Maidstone attacked from the kick off and looked certain to score wide out on the right but Laurence Headlam gambled successfully on the interception and raced the length of the pitch to touch down in the corner.

Mahutariki missed the difficult conversion but minutes later added a penalty.

Again the visitors took the initiative from the kick off and following a scrum in the Beckenham half, Maidstone scooped up the loose ball in midfield and raced in under the posts to take them back into the game at 16-7.

Beckenham stretched the visitors defence and this gave Alex Jones the chance to power over near the posts for a converted try.

Soon after, good work by Andy Martin at the breakdown gave Vai Mahutariki the opportunity to release Ted Mahutariki, who danced his way around several tackles to dot down under the posts and convert his own try.

Maidstone added a penalty just before the break to leave the half time score at 30-10.

The second half completely belonged to Beckenham. An early penalty was quickly followed by a Steve Benham unconverted try after a cheeky cross kick by James Perry.

Then Sam Forrest capped off a fine display at hooker by running in a try after a patient build up by the pack, Mahutariki adding the conversion to open up a 35-point gap.

Benham chased hard to secure his second try of the afternoon and give Perry a simple conversion. Benham then capped off a fine performance when he produced the moment of the match as he tracked back fully 60 metres to prevent what seemed a certain try following a Maidstone interception; making the tackle and quickly getting to his feet to force the turnover.

Paul Currie try bundled his way over for his fifth try of the season after good work by Daniels, Ted Mahutariki adding a difficult conversion from wide on the left.

Then substitute Nigel Archer, playing his first league game of the year, was on hand to wrap up the scoring as he powered his way over for an unconverted try and leave the final score at 64-10 to Beckenham.