Tonbridge Juddians 13 Aylesford 44
Report from Geoff Pettitt
In an almost identical match to that played last week at The Slade, TJs suffered another heavy defeat at the hands of local team Aylesford.
It was déjà vu when, within a minute of the start, in a repeat of last week’s early score by the opposition, Aylesford won a line-out, broke through in the centre and put their fly–half over under the posts leaving an easy kick for the full-back to convert. So, one minute gone and, with the worst start that they could have imagined, TJs were 7 points down!
And again, to their credit, as last week TJs did not dwell on the setback. They swept back up the field on the attack. Captain Ravilious made good ground from the tight ball and, continuing the momentum, the pack produced a quick rucked ball which enabled scrum-half Mitchell to cross in the right hand corner. It was perhaps with some surprise that substitute kicker Ravilious converted with a fine kick from the touch-line. Six minutes gone and it was all square again!
For the remainder of the first half Aylesford dominated the game and they pulled away. Under pressure TJs conceded two penalties. From the first Aylesford’s full-back kicked the three points. From the second, a kick to touch in the corner led to a line-out which Aylesford eventually mauled over the line to touch down. Again, the full-back made no mistake with the kick.
Further penalty kicks were traded. Ravilious scored one for TJs but their continuing propensity to concede penalties gave Aylesford two further opportunities at goal which were, inevitably, taken. In addition, an attack by the visitors down the left hand side led to a further penalty which was, once again, kicked into the corner. The line-out was won and this time, spurning the traditional rolling maul, they opted for quick passing and determined running across the field with the result that Aylesford’s centre three-quarter was able to find a gap and cross for the try about half-way out to the touch line. The full-back duly added the two points for the conversion.
Thus, after a first half which saw a lively Aylesford set of backs constantly posing a threat to TJ’s defence, the score at the half-time whistle was Tonbridge Juddians 10 Aylesford 27.
TJs started the second half on the attack and settled in the Aylesford half. Good pressure brought its reward when, after some eight minutes, Aylesford went offside in the middle and Ravilious kicked the goal.
TJs continued to have the better of possession and position for another ten minutes or so but they failed to add to their score – another feature of TJ’s recent performances – the inability to turn a period of superiority into points.
In due course Aylesford recovered their composure and they returned gradually to TJ territory and forced a penalty which the full back inevitably converted.
In a sense this was so far so good because at a point half-way through the second period TJs who were so far behind at half-time had held a pacey and confident Aylesford to 3 points all. The remainder of the half was however not so good and as far as TJs were concerned an encouraging spell turned a little disappointing.
The match became more than a little bad tempered. Aylesford seemed to feel that the referee was against them and TJs for their part became more and more frustrated at their lack of success. In all five players were given ten minutes in the sin bin but in the process Aylesford went on to score two more converted tries to take the final score to Tonbridge Juddians 13 Aylesford 44.
To the optimistic TJ supporter there are always aspects of the game that give a glimmer of hope for every game and for the future. The forwards did well in the first half winning their fair share of tight ball and taking two balls against the head – but they lost four in succession in the second half as their scrum really began to wobble. Lock forward Carlton was fiery and determined in the loose but often lost his supporters when he set off down the field and charged into the opposition. The back row of Wagstaff, Phillips and Carroll did their utmost in defence and in support. Captain Ravilious, as stand-in stand-off, produced a solid performance along with Mitchell at half-back.
But in truth it was never going to be enough. TJs were always likely to be second best to a feisty, fast and self-confident Aylesford team although the score did not really reflect the difference between the two sides.
Tonbridge Juddians 1st XV: Davis; Burgess, Dawson, Murphy (Pantony 60), James Farmer; Ravilious, Mitchell; Parrott, Stoor (Stevenson 55), Underhill, Carlton, Howell, Wagstaff, Phillips, Carroll.
Next week TJs continue their league campaign with an away match against Old Elthamians. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.
