By Adam Hookway

Leaders Tonbridge Juddians made it a perfect 10 with Saturday’s 41-28 National League 2 East win over Old Albanian.

Despite home advantage the visitors were quicker out of the blocks, an early penalty and an unconverted try giving them an 8-0 lead after five minutes.

To compound matters, Tonbridge lost Isaac Ridge to a shoulder injury just before the away side touched down, but were soon on the scoreboard when the speedy Will Holling combined with Sam Blade and the latter opened TJs’ account.

Old Albanian lessened the impact with another penalty, but back come Judds. Duncan Tout went close but lost the ball as he dived over the line, only to make no mistake moments later and from the restart TJs burst through with Connor Lloyd finished things off under the sticks. Tom White added both conversions.

The try bonus point was secured on 33 minutes when White intercepted and sprinted 35 yards before stumbling over the whitewash and the score remained 24-11 at the break.

TJs extended their lead through a Hugo Culverhouse try six minutes into the second half with Lloyd adding the extras. But their opponents were not done yet and they hit back with two tries of their own to make it 31-21 with plenty of time left for more.

The hosts opted for a Lloyd penalty to take then to 34-21 but the pressure was back on after Blade received a yellow card. However the Old Boys saw yellow themselves a few minutes later and Juddians upped the power and pace to create a try-scoring position for Harrison Sims to pile over with just five minutes to go. Sam Evans converted to make it 41-21

Albanian kept on coming, through, and had the last word with a final-minute bonus-point try.

Tonbridge, who lead the standings by four points, visit seventh-placed Bury St Edmunds on Saturday.