North Walsham 17 Tonbridge Juddians 20: National League 2 East match report

By Adam Hookway

Tries from Will Colderick and Josh Groocock helped Tonbridge Juddians to a 20-17 win at North Walsham in National League 2 East.

Ryan Taylor-Denehy returned to the Juddians line-up after shoulder surgery and added 10 points with the boot as the visitors ended a run of three successive defeats.

It took TJs 20 minutes to make their first positive thrust into the North Walsham 22, Colderick crashing over from close range. Taylor-Denehy added the extras.

The hosts took the game to TJs from the restart and, roared on by a vociferous home crowd, increased the pressure before a penalty to the corner was followed by a catch and drive to level the scores.

That try, however, galvanised Tonbridge and incisive running gained territory for Groocock to drive over, Taylor-Denehy again converting.

There was time before the break for a Walsham penalty as they changed ends just four points adrift. The half ended on a low point for both sides, though, as Reece Conlon was yellow-carded after reacting to some touchline verbals from a home supporter.

Judds enjoyed much of the territory after the interval but the home defence stood up well. As a result the option to kick the points meant two quickfire Taylor-Denehy penalties extended the gap to 10.

There was a yellow card apiece as both sides' discipline suffered but those kicks proved enough after Tonbridge were breached in the final quarter, the away team holding on to win by three points.

Tonbridge, in seventh, visit fourth-placed Barnes on Saturday (2.30pm).