Ruthless Juddians keep it tight at the top

TONBRIDGE Juddians put in a clinical performance as they surpassed Barnes 29-17 to move third in the National League Two South table.

Tries from Toby May, Hugo Watson, Ryan Jackson and Finlay Coxon-Smith secured the bonus-point victory, but the visitors were made to work hard.

Tonbridge scored an early try after just three minutes when Will Robinson kicked well out towards the wing, stretching the Barnes defence and enabling May to go over.

Moments later and Robbie Martey levelled the scores for Barnes following a powerful driving maul.

The quick start to the first half continued when constant Tonbridge pressure on the Barnes back-line paid dividends and Watson burst through to dot down.

Jackson then extended the visitors lead five minutes after the restart as he went over, with Robinson on-hand to convert once more.

Tonbridge were reduced to 14 men when Ben Ashmore received a yellow card, and Barnes instantly capitalised when substitute Nick Van Buuren carved a himself a path to score.

But Tonbridge came back with a penalty off the boot of Robinson and then with the try of the match.

A fast, fluent passing move left the Barnes defence helpless as CoxonSmith had the easy job of dotting down to earn the bonus point.