Last minute win after Barnes dominate 4th quarter

The visitors returned the high kick-off with an up-and-under then forced the opposition into touch 11 metres from halfway. The line-out was stolen and Tonbridge broke through and recycled for 6 phases to get a penalty 18 metres out. They kicked for a line-out just more than 5 metres out; their pack set for a drive then the defence forced an error to get the first scrum put-in 5 metres out. Immediately after it they were awarded a penalty and kicked for a line-out 23 metres out that was thrown not-straight. From the second scrum Juddians went wide and after 4 phases Barnes were penalised 20 metres out in centre field before 6 minutes and fly-half Robinson kicked the points.

Barnes were soon kicked back to their own half then their kick ahead near touch was regained and led to a penalty that they ran. Tonbridge forced an error to get a scrum 18 metres inside their half then regained an allowed to bounce up-and-under after it. They recycled 3 times before an opposition scrum 29 metres from the home team's line. That resulted in a free-kick for the visitors that they ran. After a better set of 6 phases they were turned over and Tonbridge kicked long. Barnes ran back then soon chipped over the defensive first line. This was kicked back then another chip from the visitors' fullback was almost got to by the right wing close to the try line.

The Ref. went back to give a penalty to the attacking side 18 metres out which was kicked for a line-out 6 metres out. The ball was kept in and the scrum crabbed sideways, with good defence from Juddians, before Barnes advanced to the line but not over. They did get another scrum 5 metres out and this time released to centre, close in; after 2 close recycles the defence was penalised, again 5 metres out. This was after 18 metres in centre field and fly-half Wicks kicked the points.

An error soon after the restart gave possession back to Tonbridge then at the second breakdown after that they were awarded a penalty 28 metres out not far from centre field at 21 minutes and Robinson kicked the points.

Tonbridge were soon out of their half after the restart and set up a sustained attack deep in the opposition 22. The defence held then after Juddians had put together a very good set of 13 mostly close phases a series of errors by them helped Barnes to clear. From a line-out just past halfway the visitors released to centre and made ground then they got a penalty that was run by the scrumhalf. A solo effort from him resulted in a try at the corner at 37 minutes. The conversion missed but Barnes had the lead for the first time.

The visitors stayed in Tonbridge's half after the second half restart; after an error and a turnover by each team Barnes had a kick charged down. Juddians went wide sending wing Galbraith-Lowe to the posts just before 7 minutes. Robinson added.

Tonbridge cleared to touch from the restart but had taken the ball back into their 22. Soon after the line-out 24 metres out they were penalised and the visitors kicked for another line-out 9 metres out that was thrown not-straight. After the scrum and a couple of recycles Juddians were forced to clear to touch just outside their 22. A penalty at the line-out was kicked for another 7 metres out from which Barnes' pack drove over with flanker Smyth on the ball before 15 minutes. The conversion missed.

Four kicks followed the restart, the last a 22 drop-out by the home team that went into touch 19 metres past halfway. They got a free-kick at the line-out and they ran that. After 6 close recycles they went wider and made ground; recycling once more close then twice wider Galbraith-Lowe went to the corner at 21 minutes. During this attack the visitors had a man down on the pitch injured. An excellent conversion from Robinson followed for a 7 point lead.

Barnes stayed in their opponents' half soon after the restart; a penalty at the 10 metre line was kicked for a line-out 23 metres out. Following that their pack started a drive; at the second attempt they got to 6 metres out then the ball was recycled close for 11 phases before defence forced an error and got the ball to clear to touch 13 metres from halfway. The line-out was stolen and Tonbridge soon kicked for territory; the visitors kicked back to the opposition 22 and then there was a clearance to just outside the 22. From this line-out Barnes' drive didn't get going but the ball was recycled close 7 times to get a penalty that the scrum half immediately ran. The ball was recycled 5 more times before the defence forced an error to get a scrum 14 metres out. The opposition got the ball from that and put together another strong set of phases, 19 altogether, and a man advantage for what would be the last 8 or so minutes of the game.

This was 15 metres out and they chose to have a scrum and that resulted in another penalty which was kicked for a line-out 5 metres out. Their pack drove to the line and over with hooker Garrett on the ball after 36 minutes. The fullback took the conversion; the ball went wide, leaving them 2 points behind.

Tonbridge restarted long then wings Martey and Murray started a new attack; 12 mostly close recycles followed before the game was interrupted by an injury to a Tonbridge player. It was restarted with a scrum for Barnes 29 metres out and that resulted in another penalty a metre ahead. The angle to the posts was 20o or a bit less and the scrumhalf was now asked to kick it and did so to win the game, then the whistle went.

Dry and warm, 50% blue sky, wind varying from mostly light to sometimes strong; the pitch dry and firm.