Tottonians got back to winning ways with a much-needed bonus point win at Gravesend.

Wing Eion Baxter was in great form once again as he ran in a hat-trick of tries in the 31-24 London 1 South victory in Kent.

Totts, who had drawn two and lost three of their previous five games, fell behind early but hit back immediately, building up a lead and standing firm in defence in the closing stages as Gravesend mounted a comeback.

They cancelled out Gravesend’s early converted try when, after a couple of scrums in the home side’s 22, Baxter was found and he dived over before Robbie Searle converted.

And the pair were piling on the points minutes later as the winger raced over again for Searle to convert - Totts going into a 14-7 lead on 12 minutes.

Gravesend were under constant pressure, Searle kicking long down field and winger Joe Jarvis causing havoc in the home side’s 22. The defence finally buckled when Ollie Northover dived over from a line-out on the five-metre line.

Totts moved to 24-7 soon after the break with a Searle penalty but Gravesend replied with a try.

Baxter’s third try settled Tottonians once more and gave them the bonus point as they moved 31-12 ahead.

Gravesend refused to give in and long periods of pressure were rewarded with a couple of tries.

Totts were reduced to 14 players late on as Robbie Searle was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on, but coach Gavin Hart introduced himself to the fray to steady the side until the final whistle.

Tottonians: N Burns, L Murphy, L Hurst, A Ramus, C Durnin, M Wisnewski, N Jones, O Northover, H Dolbear, R Searle, J Jarvis, M Searle, R Buck, E Baxter, J Raqio. Rep: L Wilson, G Hart, I Davidson.

Havant kept themselves on the tails of London 1 South’s leaders with a 29-14 victory at Cobham.