Medway tackle CS Rugby 1863 on Saturday in a London 1 South promotion battle.

The Civil Service team recently replaced Medway at the top of the table and just one point separates the sides going into this weekend.

Defeat to Havant last time out – only their second loss of the season – might have cost Medway top spot but coach Taff Gwilliam is just thrilled to be in among those battling for honours.

Few expected them to be up there at the start of the season.

He said: “We are up against teams with national league experience – like CS Rugby – teams who have gone down and are now battling to go back up. I’m delighted we are in the melting pot.

“We’ve got six games to go, we’re challenging for top honours and my lads have had a great run.

“Hopefully, we can continue to do so for the remaining six games. I am delighted where we are, we have played some sparkling rugby, we have entertained and we’re loving it.

“This isn’t make-or-break, there will be five more games after this one, it’s not just about one game.”

Medway beat CS Rugby 20-12 when they met at Priestfields but Gwilliam’s side must now try and repeat that feat at the Chiswick side’s own ground, a challenge they are certainly up for.

The coach said: “It’s an opportunity to take on a good, quality side and show what we are capable of.

“It’s a young side, a lot of youngsters have come into the side recently and done well. We hope to go there and give a good account for ourselves and maintain the challenge for promotion.”

Read more from the head coach in this week's Medway Messenger newspaper.