Leaders inflict heavy defeat on Juddians

Tonbridge Juddians’ Friday night trip to National League 1 leaders Rosslyn Park ended in a 57-5 defeat - their 14th in the league this season.

Park predictably came out the blocks faster, scoring two quick tries and a penalty as their superior handling and organisation told.

TJs were unable to gain a foothold for the first 20 minutes, panicking on the ball and making key errors in the middle of the pitch.

They did find their rhythm soon afterwards and began to exert some dominance at the scrum and lineout.

Multiple personalities on the 22 led to back-to-back yellow cards for Park as they struggled to contain Judds’ power up front.

Down to just six forwards and defending a five-metre scrum, the pressure eventually told. The returning Will Colderick powered over from short range to bring the score back to 24-5, but Tom White failed to add the extras in windy conditions. After the break TJs continued to take the game to the home side but failed to exact any meaningful pressure and more mistakes in the middle third were punished.

As the game entered its final 25 minutes TJs threw caution to the wind, trying to play from all areas. The tactic backfired and instead Park began to take charge as the effort exerted from TJs took its toll.

The final third was when the home side cut loose. Their backline prowess showed through and underlined just why they top the standings. After a month on the road, TJs welcome Birmingham Moseley for the first time in their history on Saturday.

In London 3 South East Aylesford Bulls, who didn’t have a game last weekend, visit Dover and Maidstone, who lost 37-14 to Dover last week, host Heathfield & Waldron.