Barnes 33 Tonbridge Juddians 7: National League 2 East match report

By Adam Hookway

Tonbridge Juddians ended February on a losing note after a 33-7 National League 2 East defeat at Barnes.

Barnes, firmly in the fight for second place, began with the slope advantage but were contained for the first 22 minutes.

The early chill made handling tricky, but when the sides settled down it was the hosts who made the breakthrough after a kick to the corner, catch-drive and a few phases of play.

There were no extras, but the kicker didn't miss his next opportunity after Barnes found some space to score a second try.

With the slope in Judds' favour hopes were high for a second-half response. Barnes had a different plan, though, and their confidence was buoyed by a third try after just four minutes of the restart. The conversion extended their lead to 19-0.

The lack of threat from TJs was marked and Barnes simply stifled any efforts to gain forward momentum with some excellent tackling.

They remained sharp in attack, too, claiming their try bonus point on 56 minutes and adding the extras to lead 26-0.

A fifth converted score put them out of sight, leaving TJs with a consolation when Joe Duffy was bundled over the line after a catch and drive with James Newey converting.

Tonbridge, in eighth, are at home to bottom side Westcliff on Saturday.