TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS produced arguably their best performance of the season as they overwhelmed Taunton at The Slade and replaced them in fourth place in National Two South.
The game began at a frantic pace with both sides eager to run and pass the ball at every opportunity, and TJs scored first after four minutes.
Wing Murray Galbraith-Lowe caught a deft cross-kick and after some smart inter-passing the centre Duncan Tout was on hand to dot the ball down for a try which Will Robinson converted.
Four minutes later, Charlie Edwards took a quick penalty and was well supported by hooker Ryan Jackson, Tout and full-back Toby May, who crossed for another converted try.
Taunton hit back with a penalty and for a quarter of an hour there was no scoring as TJs’ defence was tested by Taunton’s attackers and held firm.
TJs scrummaged well and managed to disrupt Taunton’s possession, fly-half Robinson intercepting a pass off the back of an attacking scrum and running 65 metres to score and convert his own try.
Taunton found a try of their own after a penalty to the corner, catch and drive. But five minutes before half-time the hosts scored their fourth try and took the bonus point.
Tout, returning to his robust form of last season, wrestled the ball away from an opponent, brushed off a couple of tackles and stormed 40 metres up the touchline for a stunning solo try which went unconverted.
After a Robinson penalty stretched the lead to 29-10 early in the second half, Taunton took advantage of a rare TJ lapse when a chip ahead was gathered by wing Ollie Rice, who ran in to score a converted try.
The home side remained focused and within three minutes they hit back. Galbraith-Lowe broke through the first line of defence, was tap-tackled but he got up to cross the line, with Robinson adding the extras.
Tout picked up a loose ball down the right side and was caught but Galbraith-Lowe took the move on with Robinson in support and the latter went over for his second try, which he could not convert.
With the end in sight, No 8 Will Colderick started a strong run down the right wing and the ball was tidily recycled until hooker Ryan Jackson crossed for TJs’ seventh try, which was not converted.
Tonbridge had produced an excellent display of sparkling, running rugby, while their resolute defence saw the whole team called upon to make valuable contributions.
TJs now travel to Worthing on Saturday [December 1, kick-off 2pm].
