This 63-3 victory over Old Colfeians almost precisely book-ended the 59 point margin of victory Maidstone enjoyed, earlier in the season in South London.

But it wasn’t the size of the points differential that gave a feeling of satisfaction but the manner of the victory.

Not only did Maidstone take advantage of their superiority by putting early points on the board but, more importantly, they looked to build moves through multiple phases, giving a more structured base to their game. Is this the influence of new coach, Paul Hathaway, already beginning showing through? Let’s hope so, because without a different approach, Maidstone’s undoubted superiority will always be confounded by a good defence.

With Ben Williams sitting out this match with a bruised thigh, picked up in training, Olly Smith came back into the front row and Jack Davidson took over the skipper’s role. The only other change from last week saw Nick Bunyon start in the second row, replacing the absent Gareth Ellis.

From the off, Maidstone demonstrated a more pragmatic approach compared to previous weeks with the willingness to kick out of defence, rather than run every ball, an early demonstration of this philosophy. After a penalty attempt from 30 metres, trying to put quick points on the board, drifted wide of the posts, a second penalty on four minutes was punted to touch to set up the first try of the game. With the catch and drive working to perfection, Ben Brill burst out of the pack to touch down near the corner.

With the restart not going the full ten metres, Maidstone took full advantage from the resultant scrum. A slick move to the right saw full back Jensen in the line to make the overlap for Jason Smith to go over in the corner. This time the conversion hit the upright, highlighting the only obvious weakness in the Maidstone game this week, the inability to convert goals.

And while Colfes came back into the game, claiming the next score from a penalty in front of the posts by full back, Livett, at the end of the first quarter, this was the last time they offered a threat to Maidstone’s superiority. Two further tries before half time, secured a 22-3 lead and the bonus point but the slick interpassing for both scores underlined the dynamic capability of this Maidstone side with a firm pitch underfoot and a modicum of sun on their backs.

Try number three was finished off by Sam Brill in the left corner after an initial break by Neil Graves on the right, while number four saw a kick out of defence by Colfes fielded by Brill to start a counter, this time finished off by Caleb Van de Westerlo under the posts, making his conversion a formality.

Despite the good conditions underfoot, Maidstone sought to play the game in the visitor’s half, whenever possible, eschewing runs from their own 22, replacing this tactic with timely kicks before pressing the opposition in their own half.

With a further seven tries in the second half, Maidstone took full advantage of a side secure in mid-table with nothing to play for. Conversely, with the play off place firmly in their sights, Maidstone’s focus was undimmed and they maintained their intensity throughout the eighty minutes.

The first score, after five minutes, resulted from a break through the centre by Jason Smith, coming off his wing, to set up full back, Jensen. A second Jensen touch down, three minutes later, this time under the posts, resulted from consistent pressure after the restart, with Willie Brown providing the set up. With the simple Van de Westerlo conversion taking the score to 34-3 and the game away from the visitors, it soon became clear that Maidstone would only be limited by their own ability and the willingness of the opposition to maintain their defensive duties.

The completion of his personal second-half, hat-trick of tries, on the quarter hour was a point of note for Josh Jensen but it was the interplay of the whole side that caught the eye as Maidstone continued to pile on the pressure and the points.

Willie Brown finished off a move on twenty five minutes to add try number eight and a Ben Brill intercept saw him scamper from inside his own half to touch down under the posts for number nine. With Colfes increasingly stretched, a yellow card for replacement, Agorioge, depleted their resources further, aiding Maidstone’s cause.

James Iles found himself on the left wing to take the floated pass to score try number ten but the best was saved to last, when a chip to the right touch, by Van de Westerlo, was secured by Neil Graves and, after a juggling act worthy of the best circus, powered his way past a handful of defenders, to go over in the right corner.

Maidstone now need to secure a single victory from their last two games to ensure themselves of the play-off spot and on this form, with their improved game plan, it would be a bold tipster to deny them this right.

Maidstone

Olly Smith; Sam Bailey; Luke Debnam: James Iles; Nick Bunyan: Jack Davidson; Matt Vickers; Ben Brill:  Lucian Morosan; Caleb Van de Westerlo: Sam Brill; Willie Brown; Neil Graves; Jason Smith: Josh Jensen

Replacements: Alex Hadi; Jamie Sims: Matt Iles

Pictures supplied by Bob Hayton.