The Slade was bathed in sunshine and smiles on Saturday as TJs sealed the N2E title with a game to spare and a thrilling display of running rugby against Oxford Harlequins.
TJs were off the mark smartish as Josh Tusler sped over after 3 minutes to give them an early lead. Oxford though quietened things down with two converted tries to take a surprise lead after 20 minutes but TJ touchline nerves were settled as TJs upped the pace and intensity to turn it around.
Curtis Barnes came off the left wing to power through for a try with Evans converting and the TJ backs continued to stress the Oxford midfield to create room for Tusler to grab a second and TJs were in front 19-14 after half an hour. The power and pace kept on coming and the irrepressible Duncan Tout was the finisher under the posts and TJs went in 26-14 to the good at half time.
The second half provided more of the same as Oxford could not keep TJs at bay and it was man of the match Connor Lloyd who was the spark for much of what TJs did well in the second half to power further away with four more tries before the hour mark.
Lloyd himself started the second half scoring with a speedy break and step to dot down. Two minutes later it was Lloyd again who sniped down the short side and a quick step and pass found Charlie Self dancing up on the inside and he cantered over for a try.
Lloyd added his second try three minutes later as he supported Tout and Osgood down the middle before finishing off in the corner. And it was Lloyd again as the provider to dart behind the tiring Oxford defence to feed Vince Everitt to crash over and TJs led 58-14 after an hour
By now TJs players were all trying to get on the end of a scoring pass or forceful run and the stress levels for the Oxford defence were getting higher. So much so that they saw red after 63 minutes and TJs exploited the extra man to send Tom Kendrick over for a try to make it 59-14 with Evans converting
Oxford grabbed a third try of their own but as the game edged to the finish line there was still time for Tout and Tusler to add further tries to make it a final score of 69-19 with Lloyd missing both conversions.
Delight for TJs then at the final whistle as the N2E title was confirmed. As it was both Dorking and Barnes lost and TJs are now 11 points clear with just a trip to Dorking on the final Saturday 26th.
Chairman Darren Grasby was ecstatic afterwards "We had a plan in place to get us back to National 1 within 5 years of dropping down after 2021/22 season. The work put in by the players, coaches and support staff has been amazing. And the support from supporters and sponsors has enabled us to achieve our goal. Next season we will go again and with Jordan Turner Hall directing things we are in a very good place"
Director if Rugby Jordan Turner Hall was equally effusive "We showed a great deal of intensity today and put Oxford under pressure both in attack and defence. Great to see home grown talent combining so well with others sharing the same pace and power. We still have a game to go and our minds are very much on finishing well at Dorking. We can have a bit of a rest then before our plans for Nat 1 start to take shape and I'm super excited to see TJs at the next level next season"