TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS produced their best performance of the season in National Two South to win by the margin of a single score in Oxfordshire.
TJs repelled Henley early on and they used the ball wisely in wet conditions, not attempting too many phases in the hands with such a slippery ball to play with.
The visitors’ early efforts were rewarded as Will Robinson slotted two penalties to give TJs a six-point lead.
Henley tried to force their way through but a strong TJs defence did not give an inch and they were forced to kick – to no avail.
Murray Galbraith-Lowe fielded a speculative effort in his own half and dodged through the first two tacklers to find wing Hugo Watson cutting a fantastic line to the posts, Robinson converting.
Another Robinson penalty gave TJs a 16-0 lead and they looked to capitalise further as one of the Henley players was sent to the sinbin.
But TJs saw yellow in the attack themselves and Henley got downfield for a penalty try and a second yellow – this time for Charlie Edwards – to give Henley a sniff of a chance at half-time.
But the home side could not change the pattern of the game and despite adding a second try, TJs were camped in the Henley half for long spells.
Robinson missed a penalty but slotted another to edged TJs into a five-point lead and they were able to see the game out relatively unscathed.
The Tonbridge side now play host to Old Albanians for the first time on Saturday [September 29, kick-off 3pm].
