Just 140 days since the last league game and a numb er of new faces in the Tjs ranks for this opener against newly promoted Sheffield. Tjs will be pleased to have taken maximum points from their opening game but it came mighty close to an early defeat but for some might defence and a gust of wind and bounce of the ball.
Recent unsettled weather and regular watering of the pitch during the Summer made for fast going at The Slade and both sets of wingers especially were happy as a result. The respective packs were less chuffed to see the ball flying about but they all stuck to their task well as they spent long periods getting to know one another.
It was Sheffield who opened the scoring with a catch and drive after 8 minutes but TJs hit back quickly to send debutant Jack Walsh down the left. And as the ball was recycled a few times it was a snipe and score from Connor Lloyd to give Tjs the lead after 15 minutes.
Sheffield though came again and on 20 minutes some deft hands in the centre fooled the Tj defence and they sped through the gap to swallow dive over and convert to make it 7-12.
Tjs were starting to find some holes of their own and another debutant, Harrison Langworthy, at 8 was making ground and the backs were on the front foot for the rest of the half with first Jack Walsh speeding over on the left, then Harrison Sims barrelling over before Tommy Mannix added a fourth and bonus point try as the half closed with Tjs leading 24-12
The second half continued where the first had left off and after the forwards went close from a catch and drive the ball eventually went right to find Jack Walsh who stepped inside the cover to score and Lloyd converted to make it 31-12.
A yellow card for the returning Jack Nay, only just on as a sub, gave Sheffield a numerical advantage and they were quick to capitalise as they went in for their third try on the hour mark to make it 31-19. Both squads rung the changes and Sheffield went in search of a try bonus pint but Tjs were defending well and they did well to keep the visitors out until the 74th minute when they got even closer at 31-26.
Sheffield manufactured a couple more chances with a try-scoring pass blowing off course at the last second to deny them before the bounce of a ball jabbed through with the Tj defence beaten also finding it's way in to touch to deny them.
It was a relieved Tjs at the final whistle and whilst Sheffield will be pleased with 2 points on the road it could have been more. Tjs will have to improve markedly as they travel to face London Scottish, relegated from the Champ last season, who will take things up a notch for sure.