TJs headed up the road to Combe in a Kent derby and final N2E game of the season for both Clubs. A season full of highs and lows for both squads and for TJs at least the end was something of a damp squib as they saw their first half lead disappear as Combe made the most of their chances to out gun TJs in the end.
Things start brightly for TJs and they sent Luke Talbot over after 8 minutes after good approach work from the pack. The pack opted to keep it tight themselves on 15 minutes and Will Holling was rumbled over in the corner. Tom White converted both and TJs were sitting pretty after the first quarter and with a 0-14 lead.
It certainly hadn’t been plain sailing and some strange choices had been made at times as the ball was kicked crossfield with no penalty advantage and chances lost.
Combe managed to get down the TJ end after 20 minutes and they found the TJ defence too open to stroll through to close to 7-14.
The remainder of the half was full of huff, bluster and bristling intent from both teams but very little tryline threat as the accuracy was lacking and neither side could find a cutting edge to threaten. Half time came with TJs in front and hoping that their second half surges of recent weeks would come again.
The early signs were good as TJs found space down the left and when the ball was whipped back and across to the right Guy Rogers sped over to score and make it 7-19 after 46 minutes.
TJs couldn’t maintain any control though and Combe found space and chances a plenty as they turned over ball, picked up dropped presents by TJs and generally took all that was offered as they ran in tries of their own on 49 and 51 minutes, both converted, to go 21-19 in front.
TJs rallied to send Will Holling crashing over for his second try of the afternoon but even that was short lived as TJs restart was again poor and Combe found a fourth try followed swiftly after with two more, all converted, to go 42-26 up after 73 minutes.
TJs managed one last hurrah as a slick move off first phase saw Guy Rogers come off his right wing to scythe through on the left and with White again converting TJs had a glimmer of hope but not to be as the final two minutes saw more errors before the ball left the field for one last time and Combe had won
A long season came to an end with a disappointing loss but a final 5th placed finish in the table, with Esher crowned as champions, is a fair reflection of how TJs have played this season. The close season will doubtless see a number of changes and we will look ahead to the next one hoping for far greater consistency of performance in what remains an extremely competitive league