Tonbridge limited to late consolation

Tonbridge Juddians ended February on a losing note after a 33-7 National League 2 East defeat at Barnes. Barnes, firmly in the fight for second place, began with the slope advantage but were contained for the first 22 minutes.

The early chill made handling tricky, but when the sides settled down it was the hosts who made the breakthrough after a kick to the corner, catch-drive and a few phases of play.

There were no extras, but the kicker didn’t miss his next opportunity after Barnes found some space to score a second try.

With the slope in Judds’ favour hopes were high for a second-half response. Barnes had a different plan, though, and their confidence was buoyed by a third try after just four minutes of the restart. The conversion made it 19-0.

The lack of threat from TJs was marked and Barnes simply stifled any efforts to gain forward momentum with excellent tackling. They remained sharp in attack, too, claiming their try bonus point on 56 minutes and adding the extras to lead 26-0.

A fifth converted score put them out of sight, leaving TJs with a consolation when Joe Duffy was bundled over the line after a catch and drive, James Newey converting. Tonbridge, in eighth, are at home to bottom side Westcliff on Saturday.

Two tries from Theo Rimmer and a Kenny Magsico touchdown proved in vain as Cranbrook lost 39-15 at struggling Crowborough in Kent 1. The hosts opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a catch-and-drive try from a lineout. Rimmer found space down the right touchline and expertly sidestepped his full-back to score as Cranes responded, but the half belonged to Crowborough who took advantage of a mis-hit clearance to score their second try and added two penalties to lead 18-5. Crowborough were first on the scoreboard in the second half, touching down from close range, while Cranes had to wait until 12 minutes from time to hit back, Rimmer picking up a loose ball to score.

Any chance of a comeback ended as Crowborough regained field position to score again from close in. They did lose a player for a high tackle, though, and Cranbrook debutant, wing Lachlan McClean, found supporting hooker Magsico for their third try.

Crowborough had the last word crossing from a forwards drive. Cranbrook, in eighth, host Beccehamian on Saturday.