Tjs headed to Richmond to face a London Scottish squad for the first time at this level. LS had been relegated from the Champ last season and have a rugby pedigree to admire. As ever you can never be sure how these games might play out but the physical effort and refusal to be beaten saw Tjs over the line to remain joint top of National 1.
A strong cross wind meant much of the fist half play was on the far side of the ground with the large stand sheltering the other flank. No real advantage to be had but it felt that Tjs enjoyed the better territorial position as both sides got to know one another in much of the opening and scoreless first quarter
With Nathan Earle on the left and Jack Walsh on the right it looked like Tjs might have the wherewithall on the wings to make gains and so it came to pass as Walsh was the man to gather and gallop in on the right after Earle popped up to assist, but was not needed, to sufficiently distract the LS defence. Connor Lloyd added the extras and TJs led 0-7 after 18 minutes.
LS responded well and quickly putting Tjs under pressure in their own half and when they couldn't get round or through the chipped over instead. On a less windy day the ball might have gone out but it held up in the in goal and bounced kindly into LS hands and it was 5-7 after 25 minutes.
Tjs continued to have the lion's share of the territory and as they caught and drove down the left a quick dart and pass by Lloyd found the ever-moving Lucas Brooke to dive over and score. Dead eye Lloyd added the extras to make it 5-14. Two minutes later Lloyd added a penalty as well and TJs went into the break 5-17 to the good.
That lead was stretched to 5-22 shortly after the restart as Tommy Mannix's special running and ball handling style bamboozeled his way through the LS defence to send Jack Walsh over for his second but Lloyd could not convert this time. But from there on the tide felt like it was turning in LS direction as too many penalties conceded enabled them to kick for territory and bring their pack into direct play much closer to the Tj line
LS cored three tries form close quarters in the next 15 minutes to make it 24-22 and put them right back in the game. Tjs were finding themselves on the back foot for too long and a few players were struggling with injuries as the effort started to take it's toll especially up front.
However Tjs possess a number of live-wires in key positions and the arrival of Sam Morton-Smith, on for Connor Lloyd at scrum half, gave them some additional zip around the fringes up front and he scampered away with the LS ball to score under the sticks and Steffan James converted to make it 24-29 after 65 minutes.
LS though stuck to their task well and scored another close range try edge in front again 31-29. But Tjs found fresh energy from somewhere as the pressure built on their hosts and James added a penalty with 10 minutes remaining. And a few minutes later it was that man Morton-Smith who finished off a flying move, again under the sticks to stretch TJs lead to 39-31 after Lloyd had returned at fly half to resume kicking duties.
LS went in search of a final score to earn a losing bonus point and they got there in the final minute to finish at 38-39 and maximum points for TJs. A hugely entertaining game for all watching and both squads can look forward to what could be a very exciting N1 season if that standard is maintained.