First lose out in titanic struggle

Tonbridge Juddians 40 Chichester 28.
The league champions prevailed in a rousing and hard fought last game of a great season for both clubs. This ended the Blues'run of 15 wins but they can be proud of a good performance against powerful opponents.The forwards had the edge in a keen contest but the difference was in the backs where TJs showed extra speed and clinical finishing.The Kent team scored 6 tries and 5 conversions to Chi's 4 tries and 4 conversions. A bonus point was won for tries but it was academic as London Irish Amateur thumped Thanet to secure second place. Chi may feel disappointed as they had a win and a draw against Irish,plus a much superior points difference,but they look forward to the Sussex Trophy final on May 7th against East Grinstead.
Chi attacked from the kick off,Phil Veltom carried and the pack drove hard to the left corner. The ball went out to the centre before a knock on and scrum to TJs. Liam Ferguson received a yellow card for retaliation as TJs reacted to more pressure from a lineout. TJs moved forward and tried to punch a hole in the middle but Richard Adams cleared.Blues won their lineout again and Jack Smallman, Scott Barlow and Adams threatened, forcing a home infringement. The penalty was in front of the posts but sadly was hooked wide.Chi declined another penalty shot and kicked to the corner only for their drive to be foiled. A score was needed but the TJs defence held. Now it was Chi being challenged as TJs attacked and their fly half and centres were tackled,but after two drives, winger Nauer dived for the line and although it was said later that he had been short, the try was allowed, Harding converting.Eddie Armah was forced out, Rob Lawrence made a lot of ground,and Moses Kasujja was tackled out after an exciting run from the scrum.TJs counter attacked and handled skilfully across the pitch for a final offload to score again and convert.Chi recovered quickly and moves involving Armah, Toby Golds ,Lawrence and Smallman stretched TJs but they were up to it. Nick Blount and Kasujja gave Lawrence room but he was the next to be forced out. However, from a lineout and well organised drive, he touched down for Chi's first try with Adams adding the extras.TJs showed their class when they hit back immediately. A long throw to the back of the lineout, a feature of their tactics,gave their elusive scrum half Hamlin a chance and he took it brilliantly with pace and two sidesteps to plunge over.Conversion meant 21-7 but Blues returned to the attack and Golds ran a sensational 45 metres swerving past attempted tackles but with one man to beat he opted for the pass to the wing and it was dropped.An Adams high kick was carried on by Ferguson and Ben Robson,setting up a determined driving maul by the pack which was killed by a TJs defender as it crossed the try line.Penalty try awarded, Adams conversion in front, 21-14 at half time and all to play for.
Chi scrum half Jack Walker had taken a knock and Jon Reid replaced him. Chi's handling had not been as secure as TJs and the first raid in the second period was also ended by spilt ball.It was important not to concede an early score but it happened.Swift passing by TJs back line with big centre Sykes offloading with deft flick gave them a fourth try and extras.Ben Polhill made an incisive break which was promising but a pass was intercepted.Brave Kasujja ,suffering from a groin strain,led the charge to the right touch and a drive went in but TJs worked the clearance.The Chi scrum was beginning to get on top and their lineout ball was safe in the hands of Blount and Barlow. But the TJs throws to their rear jumper and quick ball to their outsides posed constant threat. A penalty to them and a thrust by the fly half was stopped but the move resumed and the ball flashed across for the fifth try to make it 33-14 but the conversion hit the upright. Ferguson had to go off with a shoulder injury and had been replaced by Phil Dickin,also Josh Pszczonka came on for Nick Shopland.The forwards turned the screw and TJs held the ball on the ground to prevent a possible try,escaping penalty.Barlow was held up on the line from a maul.Chi scrum pushed them back,Kasjja picked up and gave the ball to Dickin to finish off under the posts. Adams converted. But TJs hit back once again as Hamlin spun like a top out of a tackle and raced over from 20 metres. 40-21 after conversion. It was hammer and tongs in mid field with Chi in no mood to surrender.Blount developed an attack and linked with Ross Fairbairn but the latter was tackled into touch.A penalty was kicked to the corner,lineout and drive and Lawrence crashed over for a desrved score.An excellent Adams kick from wide out to gain the extras.Blues finished strongly, a tribute to their fitness and spirit. Golds had another gallop,The pack drove, out to Smallman but no way through.A lightning counter attack put TJs winger away and it needed a huge tackle by Golds to prevent a certain try.There were robust moments and TJs loose head was sent off for deliberate elbowing as Chi came through. Adams left the field with a shoulder injury when he collided with Robson on a switch move.One last assault saw Armah forced out by the home defence which had survived a tricky 20 minutes. Final score 40-28 after a gruelling contest with a high standard of rugby. TJs are well equipped with a blend of experience and youth to be a force in the National League. Thanks to their President and members for their hospitality and best wishes to TJs for their Kent Cup Final with Gravesend on May 1st.
Chi scored 846 points against 316 in 26 games. They amassed 123 tries and had the best defensive record in the league despite this defeat.Congratulations to the squad and coaches.
Squad Shopland Lawrence Veltom Blount Barlow Ferguson Polhill Kasujja[capt.] Walker Adams Armah Smallman Fairbairn Robson Golds Pszczonka Dickin Reid.

Roger Gould