MALDON’S first team welcomed third-placed Canvey Island to Drapers Farm.

However, after a poor performance, they suffered a heavy 58-22 defeat.

Maldon have started to gain some injuries and there were a few changes for Saturday’s clash.

Captain Sam Delderfield-King is now out for a month or two after suffering a hand injury at work.

Ryan Patel has stepped into the scrum-half position and Jack White has taken the captain's armband.

Maldon got off to a bad start.

From the kick-off, Canvey broke through, with strong running from their back row to score in the first moments of the game.

A further two scores came within the first ten minutes, due to poor defence and a lack of first-time tackles.

Three successive scores by Canvey gave them an early lead that Maldon struggled to chase and, as set-piece play was introduced, the visitors also had a clear advantage in the scrum, with the home scrum being pushed back by the heavyweight Canvey pack.

When Maldon had ball in hand and played at pace, they successfully broke down Canvey and quick ball out to the wing gave Dan Webster the score to give Maldon a fighting chance.

The end of the second half saw Maldon camped in the Canvey 22.

However, a strong defensive display from the visitors kept Maldon out and when a penalty kick was given the tee was brought on in hope to claw three points back.

However, they were denied as the ball bounced off the upright.

Half-time came and a demoralised Maldon talked of showing some fight to come back at their strong opposition.

Canvey, though, continued to use their forwards' strength to their advantage, setting up a fine platform for their back-line to run in further scores.

Scrum-half Patel was giving his all and barking at his forwards, the opposition and a little at the referee.

It spilt over in frustration as he called for the ball from the opposition and the referee interpreted this as unsportsmanlike conduct and gave him ten minutes in the bin to cool off.

Canvey, now with an additional man, only added to Maldon’s challenge.

Maldon returned scores, though, with captain White leading by example with some aggressive running to score with a solo effort.

Maldon’s top try-scorer, wing Sam Langston also scored after finding space out wide to outpace his opposite man and a late cross-field kick from White gave Langston his second, giving Maldon a try-scoring bonus point.

Maldon’s next league game is away at Harwich and Dovercourt on Saturday.