TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS kept up the pressure at the top of National Two South to stay in the frame for a playoff place.
On Dings’ first visit to the Slade they put up dogged resistance in high winds.
TJs came out of the blocks with speed and accuracy to set Murray Galbraith-Lowe free on the left to go over. Will Robinson added the extras into the wind from the touchline.
Dings grew into the game as it became a scrappy, stop-start affair. The visitors rarely threatened but they limited TJs to just a couple of half-chances.
Injuries stopped the flow of the game and a yellow card for Dings led to uncontested scrums, which added to the disruption.
Dings came out strongly in the second half but could not find a foothold in the TJ half.
The home side capitalised on a tiring Dings defence as the pressure wore on.
Penalties ensued and from one of them Charlie Edwards, who was a thorn in Dings’ side, tapped and dived over, Robinson converting again.
After some excellent phase play, the ball found Matas Jurevicius who forced his way over the line under the sticks using all of his 6ft 4in frame. Robinson added the extras again.
Bonus points are key at this stage of the season and eventually a spell of keep-ball took TJs deep into Dings’ territory.
Ryan Jackson, helped by the strong wind behind him, managed to bulldoze his way over to ensure the bonus point with an unconverted try.
TJs now lie fourth in the table, three points behind Henley and seven behind second-placed Canterbury with five games to go.
Tonbridge travel to fifth-placed Taunton Titans on Saturday March 23 [kick-off 3pm].
