Aylesford Bulls 30 Tonbridge Juddians 0
Report from Geoff Pettitt
TJ’s run of poor form continued on Saturday with a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Aylesford Bulls. It was never going to be easy for the visitors and it became clear from the start that they were going to be in for a trying afternoon.
TJ’s long kick-off, intended to pin the Bulls in their 22, drifted straight into touch and the scrum-back on the half-way line gave Aylesford the ball. This put TJs under immediate pressure. Aylesford’s backs looked sharp and they swung the ball quickly and with sure hands from one side of the field to the other and despite some good tackling in an organised defence, TJ’s line was crossed in the left hand corner after just three minutes of the game. The conversion attempt failed but the home side had had just the start they wanted and looked set for an enjoyable win. They set about it in flowing style hardly allowing TJs a touch of the ball and frequently obliging them to concede penalties. It looked as though the Bulls were going to overwhelm their opponents and build up a big score.
That this did not happen, in the first half at least, was down to some really dogged and sometimes desperate TJ’s tackling and covering.
And surprisingly half way through the first session, TJs almost drew level when one of Aylesford’s many attacks foundered on the TJ 22 and the ball went to ground. Winger Connolly was onto it in a flash and set off as fast as he could go for the opposite end of the field. He seemed to be clear and certain to score but he was gradually overhauled and pulled down. Pemble arrived in support and managed to get his hands on the ball but he, in his turn, was caught and bustled into touch just a few metres from the line. What a difference a score at that stage might have made!
After this, and a few other diversions from the established pattern of the game, Aylesford returned to the attack but they failed to add to their 5 – 0 lead despite pummelling TJ’s line for the majority of the half. With the half-time whistle came relief for TJs from the constant covering and tackling. At times too they had managed to turn the ball over at the ruck, instances which were greeted with howls of helpful advice to the referee from the Aylesford faithful. Somehow then TJs had survived the prolonged attacks and ended the half just one score down. They had also, from time to time, indicated that they could break out. Was there just a glimmer of hope that they would find a score or two within them and steal the game?
The answer came very soon after the restart. TJs lost a scrum against the head and, with the defence out of position, Aylesford’s speedy attack produced a man over and a try in the left hand corner which, once again, went unconverted. As far as timing went it was a carbon copy of the score in the first half and it set the scene for the next 35 minutes or so: Aylesford attacked and TJs, with the occasional sally into the Bulls’ territory, defended.
TJs did have their opportunities with Pemble, Ravilious and prop-forward Parrett coming closest to crossing Aylesford’s line. Worryingly, it was often their poor handling as much as their opponent’s defence, which let them down at the vital moment and denied them that much-needed score. Even when an Aylesford forward was yellow-carded for handling in the ruck and TJs had a numerical superiority they were unable to cross the line.
When scrum half Deacon left the field injured, Mitchell took his place and for a time there was a welcome injection of urgency and pace into the TJ’s back-line. Wing-forward Phillips moved into the centre and showed promising form there when much of the team had to be re-positioned as a result of the injury.
Unfortunately, although TJs defended manfully for the majority of the match they were also sometimes the architects of their own misfortune. A quick throw in taken close to their own line went wrong when the recipient of the throw was caught off guard. His clearing kick was hurried and off-balance and landed in the grateful arms of an attacker. On a further occasion, when a kick to touch seemed to be the safe if unadventurous order of the day, the defender tried to run out of defence. Three attackers gobbled him up and relieved him of the ball.
The result of the home side’s dominance in the second half was two penalty goals, two converted tries and one unconverted try all of which took their 5 – 0 half-time score up to a convincing 30 points and a deserved win.
Last week TJs managed a solitary penalty goal. This week they did not score at all. Last week they played most of the game with little determination or desire. This week, thankfully, there was more fire and energy. But, despite a modest improvement in attitude and commitment their basic skills let them down and they were beaten by a better side and failed to score. This is a trend that must change very soon if TJs are to make anything at all out of this season which has had such a disappointing start.
Tonbridge Juddians 1st XV: Mitchell; Pemble, Ravilious, Murphy, Connolly; Buckley, Deacon (Wallace 60): Allen, Stevenson, Parrett, Bartlett, Underhill (Howell Mark One 60), Phillips, Wagstaff, Carroll.
Next week TJs host Lordswood at The Slade, kick-off 2.30 pm. This match will require TJ’s very best efforts if they are to avoid yet another loss.
