TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS ran in seven tries and played some magnificent rugby to make up for their defeat at the hands of Canterbury in National Two South.
They will, however, be disappointed that they did not maintain their earlier intensity as London Irish Wild Geese produced an impressive second-half comeback.
The match began as a stop-start affair with plenty of dropped passes. However, a quick penalty saw Will Colderick go close before Mike O’Sullivan scored the first try with a trademark effort from a few inches out.
After 20 minutes TJs enjoyed a purple patch; first Duncan Tout went over on the far left, then Will Robinson chipped and gathered.
Finlay Coxon-Smith then scored a brace of tries – with the second proving a herculean effort as four defenders tried to cling on and prevent him from crashing over.
Robinson missed just one conversion and TJs went in at the break 33-0 in front with a try bonus point already secured.
TJs simply picked up where they had left off at the start of the second half and they scored again within five minutes of the restart.
Lock forward Rory McHugh showed good pace and the ball was quickly recycled for winger Hugo Watson to shoot through and touch down, Robinson converting.
But the Wild Geese are familiar opponents and they never lie down. They scored twice to make it 40-12 and sniffed a possible fightback.
A penalty to the visitors at the kick-off put them straight back on the offensive.
They moved the ball out of the maul to the blindside for winger George Owen to stroll through and score an unconverted try.
TJs did finally make their way back into the Wild Geese 22. An attacking maul reached the line and flanker Truman Sullivan drove over to score; Robinson added the extras.
TJs travel to Henley for their next match on Saturday [September 22, kick-off 3pm].
PICTURE: COLLISION COURSE: Ben Ashmore goes on the charge PHOTO: Adam Hookway
