After an unexpected delay to the start of the season, the 2XV finally got their campaign underway at The Slade against Canterbury and after waiting an extra couple of weeks for some rugby, the lads certainly got their money's worth.
Well... 60 minutes of it, anyway.
Canterbury arrived ready to play and flew out of the blocks, catching TJs a little cold and quickly taking a 0–7 lead.

For the opening 15 minutes, TJs were a fraction slow to react and Canterbury were more than happy to take advantage.
But once the engine eventually warmed up, things started to change.
Jack Page got TJs on the board, crashing over for the first try of the season before Robbie Simmonds knocked over the conversion.
7–7.
Canterbury weren't going anywhere, though, and another break saw them regain the lead at 7–14.
That appeared to be the moment TJs properly woke up.
The forwards began taking control and, despite giving away at least 100kg across the pack, it was TJs who started dominating the physical battle.

The lineout was absolutely on the money, with Ben Zaug producing a faultless afternoon with the darts. Throw it up, win it, repeat. Lovely stuff.

Then Etienne Lawrence decided the quickest route to the try line was straight through whatever happened to be standing in front of him.
BOSH. Try.
Simmonds added another two.
14–14.
With half-time approaching, Canterbury chipped through and Jamie Tutt raced back to cover.
Jamie then made the minor tactical error of deciding to tackle the Canterbury player before he'd actually got the ball.
An innovative interpretation of the laws.

Unfortunately, the referee wasn't ready for that particular development in rugby tactics.
Yellow card. Penalty try. 14–21.
Into the second half, and TJs began to turn the screw.
The forwards continued to dominate, the pressure built and Etienne Lawrence powered over for his second of the afternoon.
Simmonds, who hadn't put a foot wrong from the tee all day, calmly added the extras again.
21–21.
Game very much on.
Canterbury then had a player sent to the bin and suddenly TJs had the momentum, the extra man and 20 minutes to go hunting for the win.

Everything was nicely poised.
And then...
Minute 60.
The referee's calf decided it wanted absolutely no part of the remaining proceedings.
After an hour of keeping up with 30 blokes running around The Slade, it officially clocked off for the afternoon.
With no neutral referee available to finish the game, Canterbury understandably weren't keen on a TJ taking the whistle for the final 20 minutes.
After a discussion between the captains, common sense prevailed and the points were shared.

Full Time: TJs 2XV 21–21 Canterbury 2XV.
Not quite the ending anyone expected, but there was plenty to like about the performance.
After a slow opening, TJs grew into the game and became stronger as it went on. The pack fronted up brilliantly against a considerably heavier Canterbury eight, the set piece was excellent and there was plenty of fight across the pitch.
Most importantly, for the first game of a long season, the boys showed exactly how much they want it.
Plenty still to work on. Plenty more to come.
But the tone has been set.

Next up: Thanet at The Slade.