Tottonians made sure they stayed on the shoulders of the leading London 1 South pack with a successful trip to Kent.

With several key players still sidelined Totts got the better of Maidstone but were made to work hard for their 37-22 victory.

Totts were on the ball from the start - fly half Robbie Searle slotted home a drop goal out of a scrum after the home side knocked-on from the kick-off.

Searle followed that up with another three points ten minutes later – this time from a Josh Raqio break which set up a ruck and forced Maidstone to give away a penalty.

Maidstone came back strongly and earned an unconverted try to narrow the gap to a point. But a penalty try, awarded after a Maidstone prop dropped a catch-and-drive from a Totts’ line-out, got the visitors back in the driving seat.

They increased their advantage with another try when Ali Ramus made the most of several phases of play on the home side’s line.

Maidstone kept themelves in the match with a second unconverted try just before half time.

They took that momentum into the second period and were camped in Totts’ 22 for a while. That period ended with another try – however it came at the other end of the field. Raqio got possession and linked up with Ramus, Richard Buck and Joe Jarvis who out-sprinted defenders to cross the line.

At 27-10 up Totts were looking comfortable but Maidstone refused to give in and, after dominating long periods, dragged themselves back to within five points.

Robbie Searle then hit the post with a penalty attempt but he still made the most of the opportunity. Maidstone knocked on as they gathered the ball and Searle was found from the resulting scrum to touch down for a fourth-try bonus point.

Raqio brothers Josh and Kevin then linked up to break before off-loading to Jarvis on the half-way line and he out-sprinted opponents for his second try.

Maidstone battled hard over the last ten minutes as they searched for a losing bonus point but Totts’ held firm with prop Tom Gregory shining in defence.

Captain Nathan burns said: “It was good that we started so strongly with a drop goal from Robbie and a penalty.

“Joe Jarvis came in and did a really good job and got two runaway tries and did really well.”

Totts face Old Colfiens at home this weekend.

“I don’t know much about their club history but they came up this season,” added Burns, who picked out Gregory and centre Faisil Mutiti as his side’s stand out players at Maidstone.

“They have lost every game so far and we love playing at home so after our little slip-up against Chichester we can really make a mark for ourselves and create a fortress again which is what we really want.”

Havant lost their first London 1 match of the season – a 30-17 defeat at Chichester who have taken up second place.