By Adam Hookway

Tonbridge Juddians’ start to the National League 2 East season continues to get better with a 40-24 derby success over Canterbury - their seventh win in a row.

The league leaders struggled to get into their stride early on and it was Canterbury who scored first. A nice move off the back of a lineout enabled four of their tallest and most agile players to combine in quick succession, with Ollie Frostick crossing the line for an unconverted try after nine minutes.

It wasn’t until the second quarter that TJs made their first serious foray into Canterbury’s half and after some strong running from backs and forwards the away defence finally cracked as Harrison Sims crashed through and Sam Evans converted.

Both teams had their chances to add to the scoreline but it was Canterbury who edged 12-7 - Aiden Moss touching down and Frank Reynolds converting - and they kept their five-point lead for the remainder of the half.

Unlike the opening 40, Judds started the second half on the front foot and within five minutes Connor Lloyd tapped and darted over, with Tom White converting, to put TJs 14-12 ahead. Another seven points arrived three minutes later when, after a series of drives to the Canterbury line, Duncan Tout arrived off the right-wing to force his way through with White again topping up the try.

Another score made Canterbury’s prospects for recovery look bleak, Tommy Nicoll crashing over to claim the try bonus point and White accurate from the tee. From the restart, though, the away side gained a foothold and in a blink of an eye closed the gap to nine points with 17 minutes still to play. Alfie Orris combined with Eoin O’Donoghue for the score, the latter crossing the whitewash, with Reynolds adding the extras.

The hosts were in no mood to let a win slip from their grasp, however, and re-established control with tries from White and Tout’s second in the last 10 minutes before Canterbury had the final say after Lloyd’s yellow card - Garry Jones earning them a try bonus point.

The win leaves Tonbridge three points clear of Guernsey at the top ahead of Saturday’s game at home to Westcombe Park. Canterbury, meanwhile, are fifth with fourth-placed Barnes visiting Merton Lane next.