By David Challis

Tonbridge Juddians will lament missed chances and a lack of clinical edge as they slipped to a 36-10 National League 1 defeat against a resurgent Chinnor.

Playing into a heavy wind and in difficult conditions, TJs soaked up early pressure from Chinnor, themselves beaten heavily by Cambridge last time out, but trailed to a penalty in the opening 10 minutes.

The visitors scored the first try when Harvey Young scythed through the middle of the Chinnor defence to streak clear. With an excellent final pass, he put Hugo Watson into the corner and gave TJs an unexpected lead.

Two quickfire tries from Chinnor’s scrum-half turned the game on its head as TJs were caught napping around the side of the ruck. Then, shortly before half time, Chinnor’s large pack came into their own.

With a lineout on the 22, the hosts set up the maul and drove expertly for the line with TJs powerless to stop the home side on the charge.

Judds trailed 24-5 at the break, but with TJs having the benefit of the strong wind in the second half the contest was far from over.

They started the stronger, forcing Chinnor into infringements at the ruck which, in turn, led to a yellow card for the home side. With TJs taking penalties quickly in the 22 this man-advantage eventually told and Ben Ashmore crashed over in the corner.

TJs continued to pile on the pressure, making the most of the wind and kicking sensibly. However, Chinnor held resolute on their line and prevented TJs from crossing the whitewash.

Frustration and inaccuracies from Juddians then began to creep in and Chinnor spotted the moment to strike. One breakaway score from deep was quickly followed by a well-read interception that took the game away from TJs in the final quarter.

Tonbridge host Cambridge on Saturday.