Blackheath 48 Tonbridge Juddians 19: National League 2 East match report

By Adam Hookway

Tonbridge Juddians gave National League 2 East leaders Blackheath an early fright before shipping six tries in a 48-19 defeat.

TJs are just one of two teams to have beaten Blackheath this season, winning 21-20 at The Slade in November, and they made a positive start on Saturday, Bryan Hotston scoring the game's first try, converted by Tom White.

Blackheath responded with a penalty, but some excellent interplay between Judds' forwards and backs saw Duncan Tout drive over under the sticks and five minutes later Hugo Watson forced his way over on the left.

White converted one of those scores to leave the visitors 19-3 ahead, but Heath, unbeaten since losing to Tonbridge, replied with two converted tries and a penalty to go in 20-19 up at half-time.

The second half was a painful one for Juddians as Blackheath dominated both possession and territory to turn the attacking screw.

Four tries, all converted, stetched the lead to 48-19 and with 15 minutes left it seemed likely the half-century would be passed with ease. To TJs' credit, that didn't happen and while they managed a couple of late attacks of their own Blackheath weren't in the mood to concede a bonus point score.

Midtable Tonbridge are without a league game this weekend and return to action on March 25 at home to Worthing.