By Adam Hookway

Tonbridge Juddians’ first trip to Oxford Quins went according to script with another National League 2 East victory - although the hosts scored plenty of points in Judds’ 54-36 win.

The league leaders made a lightning start, securing the bonus point after just 20 minutes for a 26-3 advantage. Howard Packman kicked things off after just two minutes and was swiftly followed by tries from Curtis Barnes and Hugo Culverhouse, with Packman adding a second.

Sam Evans converted three scores, while Oxford could only muster a penalty goal in response.

Quins managed a converted try just before the half-hour mark, but from the restart Juddians struck again through Will Holling. Shortly afterwards Duncan Tout finished off a move down the right and the half-time scoreboard read 10-40.

Harrison Sims and Will Holling added rapid tries within the first 10 minutes of the second half. With Evans converting all but one of the day's tries for the visitors it seemed that they were indeed home and hosed at 54-10 with half an hour still to go.

To their credit, Oxford didn’t give up and they were rewarded with three tries - two converted - in the third quarter. A yellow card for Holling gave them more encouragement and they sensed a losing bonus point might be on the cards.

A fifth try, again converted, edged them nearer before Vinnie Everitt was also carded just before the final whistle.

With both Dorking and Guernsey losing, TJs have a seven-point lead - although both sides have a game in hand. Tonbridge end the calendar year at home to second-bottom Colchester this Saturday.