A strong first-half display set the foundations as Medway beat hosts Guildford 43-26 in London 1 South.

Tries from Jack Johnson (2), Sam Garofalo and Alfie Orris, combined with four conversions from Dan Harvey, put Medway 28-0 ahead at the break before Guildford hit back to win the second half.

Medway coach Taff Gwilliam said: "This was a classic tale of two halves. We were accurate, clinical and totally dominated the first but, to Guildford’s credit, they gave us a lesson with their second-half efforts.

"Our players lost focus and concentration, triggered by the sharpness of Guildford. However to learn this valuable lesson and still get the bonus point win is testament to our excellent first-half performance."

Orris and Max Bullock combined with Johnson for the latter to open the try count on seven minutes and Johnson beat two defenders and then went round the cover defence to score near the posts and double his tally.

The visitors suffered a blow when No.8 Jordan Stubbington was forced to leave the field, replaced by back-up hooker Bill Humphrey, but the points kept coming with Johnson kicking into space behind the Guildford defence where Garofalo won the race for the touchdown.

The bonus point was bagged when, from a scrum, the ball was fed to Orris in space and he dashed down the wing, outpacing the cover defence, to score in the corner. All four tries were converted by Dan Harvey.

An early second-half lineout to the visitors saw Guildford awarded a free-kick and they went quick, with a single pass putting their centre through a disorganised defence to score under the posts. The try was converted.

They halved the deficit just four minutes into the second period when Sean Marriott was penalised for a tackle on the kicker, given a yellow card and the hosts were awarded a penalty try.

Despite being down to 14 men, Medway's pack were on top at the set-piece and won a penalty, converted by Harvey.

But just as it seemed Medway had weathered the Guildford storm a loose midfield pass was intercepted and the Surrey outfit were in again under the posts for another converted try.

Gwilliam's side soon hit back, with accurate passing allowing Harvey to score in the corner before converting for 38-21, but a lucky bounce gave Guildford a well-taken score in the corner, securing their own bonus point.

Medway had the final word when the scrum drove towards the line and good control from Humphrey at the base saw him touch down as the away side made it 14 wins from 16 league matches.

They return to league action at home to Chichester on February 12.