By Adam Hookway

A penalty proved the difference as Tonbridge Juddians lost 36-33 at National League 2 East title-chasers Dorking.

Judds played up the slope in the first half and although the home side took an early lead with a well-worked try it was then all TJs for the rest of the half.

Howard Packman finished off a powerful break by Shadyn Osgood to go over under the sticks on 16 minutes, Tom White converting, and then Luca Petrozzi sniped from scrum-half to touch down five minutes later, White again adding the extras to extend TJs’ lead.

And the visitors weren’t finished as the forwards drove forward before the ball went wide for Duncan Tout to power over from his wing, White putting TJs 21-5 up at the break.

In what was literally an uphill task for Dorking they set about reducing the arrears immediately after the restart. Their lively centre, who had both the bulk and the pace to cause the TJ defence difficulties, benefited from their sprightly start and within 10 minutes of the second half Judds’ lead was down to just two points.

The sides exchanged yellow cards before Will Holling charged and burrowed his way over with 65 minutes played. White’s conversion put Juddians 28-19 ahead.

Injuries and stoppages were prolonging the game and it was Dorking who found the edge to close the gap with a converted try before adding a penalty to lead 29-28 with 12 minutes to play.

Dorking added another converted try in the final three minutes and it looked like TJs were going to leave with just a try bonus point. While a win was still on the cards when Tout beat his man to score, White hurried the conversion and missed before the away side ran out of time.

Tonbridge, in fourth, play their final home game of the season on Saturday against third-placed Barnes (3pm).