By Adam Hookway

After a string of stirring performances Tonbridge Juddians suffered derby disappointment, losing 24-22 at Sevenoaks in National League 2 East.

The match started brightly for Judds, captain Tommy Nicoll leading from the front with a try after six minutes. Tom White converted for a 7-0 advantage.

Oaks, though, were keen to attack and their half-backs were proving a handful early on behind their forwards. Causing TJs to infringe, the penalty went to the corner and a catch-and-drive was followed with a few phases towards the sticks and their prop was driven over for a converted score.

The game ebbed and flowed but TJs were a tad slower in the loose and couldn’t build any momentum in attack. Oaks flew into tackles with gusto and their 10 and 15 kept the away side largely at bay with some excellent kicking. Their urgency, though, caused them to offend and White slotted a penalty to edge Tonbridge back in front at 10-7 after 14 minutes.

Neither side were dominating either the ball or territory, but it was Oaks who scored next when their centre was sent over on the left while TJs were a man down. An excellent conversion saw Oaks go 14-10 ahead, but the lead was back with the visitors when, from a well-worked lineout, they found Shadyn Osgood on the charge and he crashed over under the sticks. The extras gave Judds a three-point lead.

Tonbridge couldn’t keep it into the break, though, Oaks accurate from the tee for a 17-17 score at the interval.

The second half started brightly for Sevenoaks and they secured their third converted try to open up a 24-17 lead. TJs hit back with a try from Will Holling after 56 minutes from a driven lineout, but they couldn’t convert the extras.

Both sides huffed and puffed through the last 20 minutes. With one final fling TJs headed upfield with a couple of penalties. They declined a kick for goal from just inside their own half and went for the lineout and then open phases before spreading the ball wide right to go for glory - unfortunately for them it went too wide and Oaks were able to scramble the attack into touch.

Tonbridge, in sixth, travel to bottom-of-the-table North Walsham on Saturday (3pm).