By Adam Hookway

Tonbridge Juddians suffered an agonising defeat as a last-minute converted try gave Henley a 27-26 win in National League 2 East.

TJs played the first half with the slope in their favour and started brightly. A foray down the right and a quick recycle allowed Joseph Parkes to ghost off his right wing to pop up in the centre and dive over. Sam Evans converted and with just three minutes played Tonbridge were 7-0 ahead.

Hawks rallied and after a period of pressure scored their own converted try to level. With defences to the fore, and perhaps TJs having to work that much harder, the two sides traded penalties to end the half all square at 13-13.

Judds were again quicker out of the blocks for the restart. They soon found space on the right after Kwamby Koomson had attracted defenders but offloaded to Duncan Tout who steamed over on the right. However Evans couldn't add the extras.

TJs maintained their early second-half pressure and it was Parkes who again benefited after Tommy Nicoll made ground in the loose down the middle. The recycled ball found Hawks lacking in numbers and Parkes crashed over but, crucially, the extras were again missed.

Evans did add a penalty to stretch the lead to 13 points but the hosts hit back quickly with a converted try of their own to close the gap.

With 15 minutes to go Judds were under pressure but their discipline fell foul of the officials and the visitors went on to receive three yellow cards. As the final whistle loomed Henley found space out on the right to send their scampering winger round and over and, crucially, he was able to get close enough to the sticks to make an easy conversion for a one-point win.

Tonbridge are at home to Sevenoaks on Saturday (3pm).