FAVERSHAM: PAYNE HELPS SIDE KICK ON IN PROMOTION HUNT

Sam Payne produced a 15-point man-of-the-match performance to help Faversham towards a 35-11 win over Bexley on Saturday. Ollie Jaynes, Billy Egleton, Rhys Mcdermott and Aaron Mills also contributed tries to secure their side a third successive win. A bonus point victory ensures Faversham remain in the hunt for promotion to the Kent 1 division. Bexley took a three-point lead in the first half when they opted for the posts after a player was penalised for his retaliation to a tackle. The visitors responded shortly after when Jaynes exploited a one-on-one situation, selling his man with a dummy and getting over the line. New signing Payne converted the extras to set the tone. Despite Faversham’s dominance, it was the hosts that scored next with another three points from the tee ahead of half-time. Payne added a try and kicked the extras to extend his side’s lead shortly after the break following some strong work from Mills and Luke Garnham. Egleton underlined Faversham’s stronghold on the game minutes later when he set up a mauling drive before breaking off to score his 14th try of the season. Once again, Payne made no mistake with his kick. The bonus point was secured 10 minutes into the second half when captain Mcdermott dived over the whitewash after Bexley’s poor clearance. The latter pulled a try back but Faversham weren’t finished yet as they scored again through Mills’ seventh of the campaign. Skipper Mcdermott said: “We are hitting form just at the right time with a dominant win in difficult weather conditions. Bexley simply couldn’t handle us, especially with the pace we played.” Faversham are due to face Sittingbourne in the Kent Salver semi-final on Friday night at Canterbury rugby club.