It was Super Saturday at The Slade for the final Round 26 National 1 match up between Tjs and Leicester Lions. Tjs safe in mid table were looking to end on a high against a Lions squad who were already relegated. A hard and fast track and sunshine aplenty saw Tjs run in nine first half tries before adding four more in the second half to record their biggest win of the season
The Lions stuck at it throughout but they lacked the size, power and pace of a Tj squad with speed to spare in the backline and ever willing workhorses in the pack. As you'd expect in such a result the Tj wingers were at the forefront of the try charts although Curtis Barnes scoring six was perhaps a bit over the top. Tom Kendrick on the right dotted down too whilst Connor Lloyd added two, Oscar Waite, Archie White, Harrison Sims and Lewis Gjaltema shared the remainder. Connor Lloyd and Tom Mannix shared the kicking duties slotting four and five conversions respectively.
It was one way traffic for much of the first half from minute one as Barnes glided over on the left and whilst Lions hit back with a converted try to lead 5-7 after five minutes they couldn't stop Tjs running riot in the remainder of the half. The pitch was very hard after the recent dry weather and whilst nobody shirked a tackle it was Tjs willingness to go into contact and offload or find a hole to dart through that had the Lions scampering in defence for most of the half.
Barnes was the obvious recipient of Tjs ability to slice through on the inside or nudging kicks in behind which on the hard surface would bounce up invitingly for wannabe try scorers.
Tommy NIcoll and Duncan Tout signed off for Tjs after a stellar 200+ games and Luke Boon did the same with 100 caps under his belt. Nathan Earle returned to the team after a season blighted by injury and the Tj faithful will be hopeful he starts next season and stays fit for longer.
Super Saturday was enjoyed by a large crowd who also celebrated league winning seasons for Tjs senior men 2s and 3s who won Counties 2 Kent and Kent B Rural respectively. And TJ Ladies who also won their league title to make it a very successful season for all senior Tj squads.
Tjs will rest up now and look forward to another National 1 campaign in a few months time