TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS travelled to third-placed Rams and came away with a draw in the first of three games on the bounce against the top three sides in National Two South.
While TJs were on a winning run, the Reading side had lost their last two, albeit to the top two teams.
The Rams started well and TJs could not get the ball – they were almost literally stuck in their own muddy half.
But a rock solid line stood firm for the visitors and the Rams could find no way through until the 15th minute.
A poor TJs clearance found the Rams full-back who created space in midfield to send right wing Jak Rossiter in for the first try, which was not converted.
The Rams were also strong in defence but from a lineout Rory McHugh popped up in the ruck to sneak over for a try, Liam Prescott converting.
The restart put Rams back on the front foot and after a yellow card for McHugh they took immediate advantage, taking the lead in clinical fashion through Tom Vooght to go in at half-time 12-7 ahead.
The second half started the same as the first with Rams having all of the ball. Their scrum was in the ascendancy but TJs’ tackling meant there was still no way through.
Then a penalty took the visitors into the right corner and the ball was spun left for new recruit Sammy Atiola to finish with a slide.
The conversion was missed to leave the sides with 12 points apiece with 10 minutes left.
TJs put the hosts under intense pressure in the closing exchanges and had a couple of chances which were not taken.
So the points were shared in what had been another determined Tonbridge performance despite their five-game winning streak having come to an end, and they remain in eighth place in National Two South.
Second-placed Chinnor now visit The Slade on Saturday (February 3, kick-off 2.30pm).
