A MUCH-changed Tunbridge Wells came up against an impressive Tring side and saw the match slip away in the second half.
The visitors began brightly but after 17 minutes Tring worked a short line out to their right wing Richard Roberts, who scored an unconverted try.
Four minutes later, they went over again after exploiting the centre channel, with Tom Newton converting to give the hosts a 12-0 lead.
Frank Reynolds successfully kicked a penalty to get Wells on the scoreboard after 24 minutes as a Tring back row went to the sinbin for a tip tackle.
Wells continued to apply pressure and after a penalty to the corner the pack rolled a maul to the line for Mike Hathaway to get the touchdown on 33 minutes, Reynolds converting.
Reynolds had a chance to put Wells into the lead towards the end of the first half with a penalty from close range but he put his kick wide and the visitors went in at half-time 12-10 down.
Tring came out strongly in the second half, Harry Green scoring twice within the first six minutes and Newton converting both.
After Tring’s George Hayes adding a further try on 56 minutes, Wells scrum-half Anthony Storkey was forced off with a hand injury.
But Max Hobbs came on for his first game since October and cut a brilliant line to score from halfway out on 61 minutes, Reynolds converting.
Tring scored again to stretch their lead to 38-17, but Wells debutant Matt Symonds appeared on George Montgomery’s shoulder after the latter had intercepted and he put in Mike Hathaway to crash over for his second try.
In injury time Wells threw caution to the wind in their search for bonus points and a pass was intercepted for Tring’s concluding score.
Tunbridge Wells now have a weekend off before meeting Bedford Athletic at St Marks on Saturday March 2 [kick-off 3pm].
