By Adam Hookway

Tries by Luke Talbot, Ryan Munnelly, Reece Conlon and Duncan Tout secured a 35-26 win as Tonbridge Juddians beat Henley Hawks to move up to fifth in National League 2 East.

With the rains once again making The Slade unplayable, Judds welcomed their visitors to the all-weather 3G pitch at Vizards and the home side made the early running, a clever crosskick bouncing into Talbot’s arms for him to gallop over in the corner. Tom White converted for a 7-0 lead.

Henley gradually grew into the game and on 20 minutes they went wide left and for their winger to scythe through and over to level the scores.

A second converted try put them 14-7 in front, but a series of drives by Tonbridge’s forwards and backs set up a one-on-one chance for Munnelly and he powered over to score with White again adding the extras.

TJs scored the first points of the second half, White adding a penalty. Henley hit back with a converted try after 50 minutes before a second White three-pointer closed the gap to a point.

Henley extended their lead on 63 minutes, their winger powering through the home defence. The conversion was missed this time to leave Juddians six points in arrears until their pack came to life from a lineout on the Henley 22m line and Conlon crashed over. White’s extras gave Tonbridge a lead they would now keep.

Another White penalty made it 30-26 and the hosts wrapped up the scoring after a deep kick was not gathered, allowing Harrison Walker to feed Tout who outpaced the cover to dot down the bonus-point try. Henley had the chance for the final say, but missed a last-minute penalty.

Tonbridge are in derby action on Saturday with a trip to ninth-placed Sevenoaks (2.30pm).