TUNBRIDGE WELLS ended their season with a thrilling game in Hertfordshire with saw both teams run in five tries.
The defeat brought to an end Wells’ four-game winning run which saw them rise up to seventh in the London and South-East Premier Division after an inconsistent first half to the campaign.
After an early penalty Jake Caddy scored a try on nine minutes after good work from Mike Doherty on the right, Frank Reynolds adding the extras.
After a quarter of an hour, Reynolds released Mike Doherty with a fine pass, and he scored an unconverted try to lead 15-0.
Three minutes later, Wells missed a kick ahead and Josh Corcoran got the home side up and running with an unconverted touchdown.
They were now camping in the Wells 22. The visitors conceded a kick to the corner after some indiscipline and Hertford rolled the maul over the line for Tim Matthews to score a converted try.
With half-time just seconds away, the visitors were awarded a penalty and kicked to the corner, and the forwards launched towards the tryline.
A deft one-two pop pass from Aston Croall to Brendan Cressilla saw the latter score his third try of the season under the posts. Reynolds converted to give Wells a 22-12 lead at the interval.
After the break Rory Seymour unlocked the Wells defence with a deft chip and catch, going in under the posts for a converted try.
Hertford started to enjoy the lion’s share of possession. A loose Wells kick that missed touch was fielded by centre Richard Streets, who completed a mazy run to score on 55 minutes.
Sam Walker converted to give Hertford a bonus point try and take the lead at 26-22.
Wells rallied in response and they showed great patience as they went for the line, scrum-half Charlie Rigby touching down for the bonus point.
Reynolds could not convert but Wells were back in the lead at 27-26 with a quarter of an hour left.
The visitors then attacked from the restart with Mike Hathaway scything through the defence to launch the speedy Max Hobbs at the line and he scored an unconverted try.
With a lot of time added on because of a spate of injuries, in the 88th minute the ball was moved wide to Streets, who just got it down over the line.
Time was up and Walker had to convert a kick 15 metres in from the touchline against the breeze.
He held his nerve to seize a one-point victory from the jaws of defeat.
