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Opening Win for TJs in N1
A sunny day at The Slade and all smiles, eventually, as TJs beat Sheffield 31-26 in N1R1
An expectant crowd were please to find a fairly lush pitch at The Slade and a sunny day to boot as TJs lifted the lid on their National 1 campaign with the visit of newly promoted Sheffield.
Tjs secured a 24-12 half time lead and a try bonus point with tries from Jack Walsh, Connor Lloyd, Harrison Sims and Tommy Mannix plus two conversions by Lloyd. Sheffield had scored first to lead and regained the lead with their second but Tjs were in the box seat going into the break.
A second try from Jack Walsh on debut looked to have taken the game away from Sheffield but it was a nervy final half hour for Tjs as the visitors edged back into the game with a converted try to make it 31-19.
Sheffield created but missed a couple of real chances to avoid the Tj defence but the bounce of the rugby ball and a gust of wind snuffed out both. Whilst Sheffield earned their own try bonus point in the last 5 minutes they couldn't get over the finish line but left with a losing bonus point well earned.
Tjs had a number of new faces in action and they will need to step it up again in Round 2 when they travel to another N1 newbie London Scottish next Saturday.
London Scottish, relegated from The Champ last season, opened their own campaign with a 27-53 win at Bury St Edmunds scoring nine tries to BSE's five.
Cambridge, who were also relegated from The Champ last season with just a single victory to to their name, started their own campaign with another loss, this time to Birmingham & Moseley 38-33. Tjs welcome Cambridge to The Slade in a fortnight's time
The big scores kept coming with Bishop's Stortford beating Dings 52-42, Rams losing 22-50 to Sale FC and Plymouth Albion routing Rosslyn Park in a 17-61 victory. And Camborne, newly promoted also, beat Leeds Tykes 36-38.
DON'T MISS OUT - International Tickets for the final round of Nations rugby are still available
Sad News - the Club were saddened to receive the news that Tony Russell, OJRFC's fixture secretary, touch judge and more for many seasons before the merger, has passed away after a period of illness.