TJs headed to Leicester Lions for the first time on Saturday and came away with a maximum points win to start their N1 campaign in style. TJs should have made their debut away at Leicester back in 2020 but covid prevented that fixture from being played.
A new look TJs took the field with several new faces boosting the N2E promoted squad. George Kendrick, Alfie Scopes and Tevita Cavubati added some weight to the starting pack and Nathan Earle and Lewis Gjaltema added some extra pace to the Backs. A new co-captain, Dan Laventure also started at No 8 with fellow captain Tommy Nicoll coming off the bench.
TJs played with the slight slope and strong wind in the first half and started brightly against a youthful and energetic home side at their newish and excellent facility. TJs were in 'getting to know one another a bit better' for the opening minutes and the pace and energy from both sides was evenly shared. After 9 minutes it was Lewis Gjaltema, starting at scrum half, who supported a TJ attack on the inside to scamper through and Sam Evans converted.
Leicester responded well after 18 minutes after a period of pressure in the TJ 22 after TJs offended too many times and found themselves defending near their own line. Leicester crashed over for a try and converted to level at 7-7.
TJs responded quickly as they used the wind and Leicester's own errors to pin them back for the pack to catch and drive Will Holling over. Evans again converted and TJs led 7-14 after 26 minutes. Evans added a penalty in front to make it 7-17 but Leicester finished the half well with a second converted try to go in 14-17 in arrears.
TJs had failed to make the most of the wind in the first half but the togetherness was growing and their speed, physicality and determination were starting to show dividends albeit not troubling the scoreboard as often as they wanted.
TJs were into their stride quickly after the break as Will Holling added his second after 43 minutes and Connor Lloyd, on at scrum half after 50 minutes, sniped to score almost immediately. Neither tries were converted but TJs were starting to win more collisions and find space on the flanks. Curtis Barnes was looking in fine form and consistently beat the first defender but couldn't cross.
However TJs found more try-joy on the right with Tom Kendrick going over after 58 minutes but then dropping the ball in the act of scoring. But he found immediate redemption as from the goal line drop out TJs worked the ball right again and this time Kendrick was away and over.
Nathan Earle, starting at full back, then went through the gears to glide down the right for a brace of tries in the final quarter with Evans and Lloyd converting both.
A maximum 5 points haul then for TJs which and a good start. TJs have clearly recruited well and will be hoping the blend works well as they face Rosslyn Park next Saturday at The Slade for a 3pm KO - pitchside refreshments and extra entertainment will be available on what will be a TJ N1 Super Saturday