TJs headed to St Albans for this N2E Round 4 match up and produced their best performance to date and set the standard they need to match from here on if they are to have the successful season we all hope for.
The recent rains had made the going good and with a gentle breeze at their backs TJs started brightly. But it was OAs who opened the scoring with their first foray into TJ territory and a simple penalty to the corner, catch and peel for the softest of opening scores after 5 minutes.
OAs had put 50 points on Sevenoaks in Round 3 despite playing 50 minutes with 14 men and the travelling TJs will have grimaced at the ease of that first try.
However TJs set about their business with great energy and enthusiasm and after 16 minutes Duncan Tout did what he does best, wrecking the OA midfield defence, to storm over. Sam Evans converted and from there TJs never looked back.
TJs had a clear game plan to keep OAs at bay and playing much of their attacking rugby at least half a pitch away from the TJ line. And when TJs got their chance they took it as the always impressive Tom Kendrick bustled his way over for the second try after 23 minutes with Evans again converting and TJs led 5-14.
OAs couldn’t get near the TJ line but when TJs did err they slotted two penalties to narrow the gap to 11-14 at the break. A strong first half from TJs but it felt as if OAs, especially in the backs, had another gear and the second half with the breeze at their backs might see them start to control territory and the scoreboard.
Clearly TJs hadn’t read that script and it was they who came out firing with Kendrick going over after 43 minutes to stretch TJs lead. Evans missed the conversion but made amends with a penalty goal 3 minutes later.
The TJ pack were piling the pressure on OAs up front with McGeekie and Parker being their usual abrasive selves in the second row. And Colderick and Koomson were dragging defenders with them as they hammered the OA defensive line. That line broke again and Alex Brown added a try after 55 minutes with Evans converting and TJs led 11-27 and the try bonus point was secured.
OAs were still in the fight but they struggled to find space and scoring opportunities of note. In fact it was TJs again who grabbed a fifth try through hooker Will Holling and a 11-32 took the game away from OAs.
A try bonus point was up for grabs though and something they could aim for and two tries on 65 and 78 minutes by their speedy and physical right wing nearly bagged it for them. But Holling grabbed his second as a try-filling to that OA sandwich and TJs ran out comfortable 21-39 victors.
The result enabled TJs to climb to 5th in the table and they welcome Bury St Edmunds to The Slade next Saturday for a 3pm KO. More of the same please TJs