By Adam Hookway

Tonbridge ran in three tries but couldn't stop visitors Caldy from taking top spot in National League 1 with a 40-21 win at the Slade.

Caldy begain brightly and their offloading game caused Judds problems as they seemed to have an extra man in play at crucial times.

Two converted tries in 20 minutes appeared to set the tone, but the hosts hit back to close the gap shortly after.

A second foray into the Caldy 22 allowed Tonbridge to probe from an attacking lineout before Harvey Young found some space on the left. Two on two and still with some work to do, Hugo Watson was able to use his strength and pace to force himself over in the corner and Tom White slotted the extras.

Caldy, though, didn't break stride and from the restart again went through the phases to go over for a third converted try to lead 21-7 at half-time.

The sides' first meeting this season saw an impressive second-half fightback from TJs, who, from 40-5 down, went on to lose 47-40. They raised hopes of another fightback five minutes after the interval when Duncan Tout forced his way forward in midfield and White's astute step and pass put Tom Chapman through the hold from 25m. He beat the final two defenders to go in under the posts and White converted.

Sadly for Judds, Caldy maintained their structure and offloads kept coming preventing the usually-solid defence from resetting quickly enough to counter the visitors' power. Three tries, two converted, saw Caldy stretch away again in the next 15 minutes.

Juddians continued to press in the final quarter and while Mike O'Sullivan was able to steam over after a chargedown and good hands sent him clear, a fourth, bonus-point try proved elusive.

Tonbridge are away to Chinnor on Saturday.