Tonbridge Juddians beaten 44-24 at Dorking in National 2 East
Published: 10:41, 03 April 2023
Updated: 11:55, 03 April 2023
Tonbridge Juddians lost 44-24 at familiar foes Dorking in National 2 East on Saturday.
Eighth-placed TJs had seen off the Surrey club’s challenge back at The Slade and the fourth-placed home side were set on avenging that reverse.
They did so with an assured display and a lethal kicker converting all five tries and three late penalties.
TJs played up the slope and into the breeze in the first half and their efforts suffered an early setback as Hugo Watson earned a yellow card after just four minutes.
A few minutes later Dorking used the extra man out wide and sneaked over for an opening try.
Tom White pegged them back with a penalty after 20 minutes and the game ebbed and flowed at no real pace.
Another Dorking try extended the lead and then a TJs kick and hack through saw Jack Lucas pounce as the Dorking defence seemed confused and again the visitors were in the hunt.
But as the half ended Dorking went through the gears to add a third converted try to go in 21-10 up at half-time.
TJs will have been eyeing up the gradient and breeze for the second half but to make the most of it they needed more of the ball and to pin Dorking back territorially.
That was the plan at least and with Bryan Hotston going over for a converted try after 52 minutes the travelling TJs sensed a comeback, again.
But with the heavy going and that little bit of extra provided by the Dorking 8, 9 and 10, the game started to ebb away from TJs.
Two converted tries on 56 and 61 minutes increased the Dorking lead and while Jack Lucas hit back with a converted try, the hosts added those three penalties to secure maximum points.
Tonbridge host local rivals Sevenoaks in their next game on April 15 (3pm).
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KentOnline reporter