by Craig Tucker

Maidstone Rugby Club are one win away from an appearance at Twickenham in the Senior Vase final.

They closed in with a 57-7 victory over Cantabrigian in last weekend’s regional final at The Mote, pictured.

Coach Andy Foley said: "It’s another step toward our ultimate goal of trying to reach Twickenham.

"We were quick out of the traps and the game was over and done with in 20 minutes.

"When you get two or three scores up early on, you mentally take your foot off the gas a little."

Foley praised man-of-the-match Richard Parker as Maidstone secured a semi-final against Gloucester club Drybrook at home on Saturday, March 30.

He said: "Parker carried the ball well and toppled their big runners. He’s been around a long time and is a tough character. He’s scarily hard and it was his type of game. The closer and harder, the better as far as he’s concerned."

The London 3 South East champions will rest players including Parker, Lee Evans, Neil Graves and Ivan Walkling for their home match against Anchorians on Saturday. Sam Mann, Jason Smith, Jack Naismith, Adrian Hogben and Andy Bacon are likely to start.