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Edenbridge vs Tonbridge Juddians, Kent Merit League ‘B’
Edenbridge went into this game with no dedicated fly half available. TJs were bottom of the league and the ‘Bridge had no 10; there were ominous overtones of the Maidstone game. Would Edenbridge avoid the embarrassment again?
Sadly it was not to be. The fate of this game was apparent in the first half; Edenbridge did not look alive. Where the spark of last week had gone who knows. Edenbridge forth e first 40 looked flat and lifeless. Despite this the early pressure was on TJs with Edenbridge all over the try line. Line out after line out went begging in the opening 20 minutes and still the score stayed at 0-0.
Then TJs had their first attack into the Edenbridge half. Could they make something of it? The answer being an emphatic yes. Without too much effort and during only their first visit to the Edenbridge 22 they slotted a penalty. 3-0 TJs.
Could Edenbridge fight back? Well they were not going to take the sudden domination of TJs lying down. Back came the ‘Bridge scoring a well worked try through Rob Clarke. The try nearly went begging but some a good display of strength by Clarke who forced his way over from 8 meters out for.
Edenbridge scored again through the swift footwork of Chris Norris who sprinted in from the half way line. This unfortunately was to be the end of the ‘Bridge’s dominance. For the rest of the first half Edenbridge were on the back foot, eventually conceding a try to TJs from close. TJs dominance at scrum time showed with them being able to win a pushover try without too much effort.
TJs slotted the conversion and then a later penalty. Half time came with score at 15-10 to TJs after they scored another try. Hope were high after a stern talking to at half time, but TJs had a team talk reinforcing the fact the Edenbridge’s head was not on the game. TJs had the better of the restart, scoring a trey within the first 5 minutes. Suddenly the 5 point margin had become at 10 point gulf; a gulf which the ‘Bridge were never to make up with the visitors conceding another try leaving things at 27-10
The last 20 minutes saw Edenbridge undergo a late resurgence with Sam Batchelor leading them forward by crashing into the opposition and making the hard yards. ‘Bridge fought themselves back to 27-22 with 10 minutes left to play courtesy of a try from Billy Stevens. The belief was there that we could steal a victory from the jaws of defeat but it was not to be. TJs forced themselves over in the corner after a succession of dubious calls from the referee leaving the game at 32-22 to TJs; a disappointing outing for the ‘Bridge after an excellent weekend the week before.
Edenbridge:
Scorers:
Tries: Clarke, Norris, Stevens, Smith
Cons: Perry
Pens:
Teams:
15. Norris, C; 14. Clarke, R; 13. Tipler, J; 12. Smith, T; 11. Perry, S; 10. Sedgwick, S (capt.); 9. Purvis, A; 1. Berry, M; 2. Lucas, P; 3. Stevens, B; 4. Eynon, M; 5. Mussi, J; 6. Barnes, T; 7. Batchelor, S; 8. Cole, S |
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