Maidstone Rugby Club have been handed home advantage in the national semi-finals of the Intermediate Cup.

They beat Chiswick in last weekend’s regional final to set up a tie with Gloucestershire club Coney Hall at The Mote on April 4. The winners will play in the national final at Twickenham.

Coach Paul Hathaway said: “We’re ever-closer to Twickenham and it’s pleasing to get the home draw in the semi-finals. Home advantage is a big thing in any sporting contest and we hope to have good support on the day.

“We’re under no illusions. We know it will be another challenge because Coney Hall have only lost once this season and they will be confident coming to us.

“I don’t know a lot about them. We may or may not do some research – as coaches, we like to focus on our own strengths – but Gloucester has a good reputation for its rugby.”

Maidstone briefly trailed before completing a 29-12 victory and Hathaway added: “It was a difficult game. Chiswick were a tidy side with committed runners and they kept the ball flowing.

“We made a couple of strategic changes at half-time and proved a little too strong in the end."

Maidstone host Aylesford Bulls in a London 2 South East derby on Saturday.