Bishop's Stortford 20 Tonbridge Juddians 23: National League 1 match report

By David Challis

Tonbridge Juddians finished their National League 1 campaign on a high with a late win at Bishop’s Stortford.

Home supporters expecting running rugby in the sun were left disappointed as TJs turned the contest into an arm wrestle and subdued the Stortford backline to keep things as tight as possible.

The visitors began the game the brighter of the two teams, enjoying early field position and possession. Stortford managed to keep the away side out but conceded penalties to do so and Ryan Taylor-Dennehy stepped up to nudge his side ahead after 15 minutes.

Stortford quickly hit back, making the most out of their driving lineout and scrum. TJs defended for a long spell but suffered a blow when Bobby Bratton was sent to the sin-bin. Shortly after, Stortford touched down from the maul where the extra man proved the difference.

Judds' Charlie Edwards, in at scrum-half, then ignited his side with a scintillating break up the middle. He was dragged down short and Stortford cynically gave away the penalty to prevent the try. This allowed Taylor-Dennehy to slot the kick and cut the deficit to just one.

Stortford, however, would see their four-point cushion returned shortly afterwards when TJs failed to exit their half and conceded a penalty to trail 10-6.

Just before the break it was TJs’ turn to have success at the set-piece. A penalty, courtesy of Luke Boon at the scrum, followed by a succession of mauls in the 22, led to Joe Duffy driving over for the try and a 13-10 lead at the break.

Stortford were on the scoreboard first in the second half with an early penalty, while Tonbridge's Ryan Jackson, like Bratton earlier, was sent to the sin-bin.

However, despite being down to 14 men, TJs grew into the game.