Tonbridge Juddians 34 Redruth 26
TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS scored six tries in an open, exciting contest to move up to sixth place in their debut season in National Two South with two games to play.
Redruth opened the scoring with a well-worked try but TJs had started brightly.
They manufactured space on the left for a three-on-two down the short side and Hugo Watson put Tom Nicoll over in the corner.
The game continued to ebb and flow with both sides managing to turn over their opponents’ ball and stifle any phase play.
From one Redruth attack George Lawson spotted a chance to intercept and then fed Will Colderick, who managed to run in a try from the halfway line.
Nathan Holmes converted and added a penalty to give the home side a 15-7 lead at the interval.
They stretched that lead early in the second half as the game began to break up.
A poor clearance was fielded by Charlie Edwards just inside the Redruth half. Lawson ran a great line to receive an excellent pass and he went over under the sticks. With the extras added, TJs seemed to be pulling away at 22-7.
Redruth, though, had other ideas and although a broken-field game might not have suited their forwards, the backs seemed to enjoy it and hit back again to close to 22-14.
But TJs had more to give and the dancing feet of full-back Sami Atiola saw him capitalise on a stretched Redruth defence on the right as he dived over to secure the bonus point.
The visitors hit back and TJs kept them out with some heroic defending until Ben Ashmore was yellow-carded and Redruth took advantage with another converted try.
However, Watson, who impressed throughout in various positions, stormed through to score and restore a winning margin for the hosts.
It was Redruth who posted the last score as another broken-field chance was taken for their own try bonus and a losing point too.
TJs now face a tough away tie at Taunton Titans on Saturday (April 21, kick-off 3pm) before their final game at home to Bury St Edmunds.
PHOTO: INFLUENTIAL: Hugo Watson breaks through to score PHOTO Adam Hookway
