Deal & Betteshanger 48 Tonbridge Juddians 7
Report from David Carver
This was never going to be an easy fixture for TJs as they continue their search for their first victory of the season. TJs failed to beat DB on three occasions last season and DB are very much a bogey side for TJs as they scored four goals and four tries to a goal.
In amassing this score, the DB winger Mitford scored four of his teams tries and three of those were from accurate cross-field kicks by the fly half, Best. At this level of rugby, this was a remarkable achievement because this tactic requires exceptional judgement and accuracy in the kick as well as communication with and awareness by the winger as to what is happening. TJs failed to defend this tactic and were caught out on each occasion.
TJs gave 1st XV debuts to James Buckley (fly-half), Sam Davis (centre) and Seb Davis (wing forward) and their presence gave the side an even more youthful look than normal reducing the average age of the team to 24 years.
DB started the proceedings and TJs failed to gather the kick-off and from the ensuing maul Best launched the first of his cross kicks for Mitford to score in the corner. Best converted to give DB a 7-0 lead after just 1 minute. Four minutes later, Mitford scored his second try when TJs were penalised and from the kick to the corner, DB won the line-out and worked the across the field and Mitford had the strength to breach two tackles and score an unconverted try.
TJs then began to get their act together and Buckley’s dummy pass breached the DB defence and TJs first attack was thwarted just short of the line. The TJ pack was dominating their opponents already by moving them backwards in the scrum and such pressure produced TJs first penalty kick that Ventin was unable to convert. From the re-start DB kicked upfield and TJs were caught in possession and this provided the home side with try number three that was converted. 17-0 to DB and five minutes later it was 24-0 as DB’s scored their fourth try. On the stroke of half-time, Buckley intercepted a pass on the half way line and set off for the try line with most of the DB backs in hot pursuit. Scoring was by no means a formality but he made it and touched down by the posts and Ventin converted to make it 7-24 at the break.
In the second half, DB scored a further 24 points without reply as their backs showed greater foresight and penetration: everything they did was at a faster and crisper pace that always tested TJ’s defensive skills. Notwithstanding this, TJs did not give up and were unlucky not to add to their score as first Wagstaffe and then Bartlett were held up just inches short of the DB try line.
For the TJ supporters at the game, it seems that the forwards are both good enough to hold their own at this level and to produce sufficient quality possession in the scrums, line-outs, rucks and mauls for the backs. But, the main problem area is that when the possession has been won, it is not being used fruitfully and the coaches will be looking to improve both the alignment of the backs and the quality of their passing in order to improve TJ’s strike power.
The first win cannot be far away and with fellow strugglers Lewes visiting the Slade next Saturday there can be no better opportunity for TJs to break their duck.
Squad: Allen; Higgins; Parrett; Underhill; Howell; Bartlett; Lewis; Wagstaff; Deacon; Ventin; Pemble; Davis; Buckley; Cocks; Mitchell; Stephenson, Murphy; and Simpson
