By Adam Hookway

Tonbridge stunned leaders Esher with a memorable 24-20 win in National League 2 East.

Two tries from Will Holling, along with touchdowns for Duncan Tout and Shadyn Osgood, were enough for victory, the result only the visitors’ third league defeat of the season.

A win looked a tough ask after 15 minutes. Esher needed only six to take the lead, their winger strolling over the whitewash, and a penalty left Juddians eight points adrift.

With 15 minutes gone the Surrey side struck again, and this time the extras were converted to leave them 15-0 to the good, the visitors having the edge in both the loose and out wide.

With the half at the midpoint TJs had a spell where they at least found parity and some of the penalties started going their way. Spirits rose further when, after a foray into the Esher half, the ball was flung wide to winger Tout who stood his man up, powered through and over him to dive in the corner. Tom White couldn't quite convert from the tee, but TJs were off the mark.

With the breeze at their backs the home side started the second half with renewed purpose. Esher had no chance to settle and Holling was bundled over the line with White’s conversion making it 15-12.

It got better when Judds headed to the Esher corner after a catch and drive. A penalty followed and from the free play, a cross-kick found Howard Packman who caught and shifted the ball inside to Osgood to dot down.

Esher were not finished, however, and a penalty took them deep into TJs territory before creating a two on one down the blindside for an easy try and the lead once more.

That was as good as it got for them, though, and from another forward catch and drive TJs forced Holling over with White converting on 67 minutes - the final points of the day with Judds digging deep to keep the pacesetters off the scoreboard for the remaining minutes.

Tonbridge, fifth in the table, visit second-bottom Wimbledon on Saturday (3pm).