Tonbridge Juddians 35 Barnes 22: National League 2 East match report

By Adam Hookway

Tonbridge Juddians denied Barnes a share of the summit with a 35-22 win in National League 2 East.

Barnes arrived at The Slade vying for top spot with Blackheath after just one defeat so far this season, but TJs started well from the kick-off and a Tom White penalty after four minutes put them ahead.

White got the hosts' first try when he dummied and ghosted through the Barnes defence to score under the sticks before adding the extras for a 10-0 advantage.

Another White penalty increased the lead while Barnes' lineout struggled, but it was the visitors who found the next score and followed it up with a second try after 33 minutes to trail by one at the break.

Tonbridge began the second half on the front foot and a flying move from left to right found Cameron Hancock to sprint over for his first Judds try.

Hancock then pounced to intercept and run in his second try but Barnes responded with their third score.

Tommy Nicoll was next to cross the whitewash. White benefited from his own chip and chase as he managed to regather and go all the way to the line - only to be held up short, but Nicoll was on hand to take the pass and crash over to put TJs 28-17 up.

Barnes, now in desperation mode, opted to kick and chase but the bouncing ball was picked up nicely by TJ substitute Petrozzi and he scampered down the left wing to dive over, with White adding the extras.

With a minute remaining the visitors had the last word with a bonus-point try, but they missed the conversion to sum up their day. Juddians, meanwhile, stay still seventh but just one win separates the top-eight sides.

Tonbridge travel to bottom-of-the-table Westcliff this weekend.