McHugh hat-trick salvages TJ pride

By GARETH WITHERS

Tonbridge J 24

Redingensians47

A HAT-TRICKfrom home grown Academy product Rory McHugh secured a try bonus point for TJs, but ultimately it was the Rams who left the Slade with five points and a convincing victory.

Redingensians exerted early pressure and scored first, courtesy of winger Conor Corrigan following excellent ball retention.

A penalty try and a yellow card for TJs' Dave Irvine soon followed.

A missed penalty from TJs fly half Nathan Holmes still resulted in a line-out in the Rams half, but an overthrow led to Rams producing a sweeping end-to-end move to score again and take a 19-0 lead into half time.

Plans for a second-half comeback by the home side were quickly snuffed out as Redingensians began the second half as they had finished the first. Tries from Tom Vooght and Jordan Souter in quick succession put them 33-0 ahead.

It was then that TJs found some form and a Mark Davey offload put young lock Rory McHugh over for his first. Another home score from prop Mike O'Sullivan followed, before McHugh scored his second.

Rams replied through Rossiter and a second for Souter to put the game to be, d before McHugh's last-gasp lunge over the line ensured TJs came away with something to show for their efforts.

TEAMS

TONBRIDGE JUDDIAN: Betty, Coxon-Smith, Tout, McMahon, Watson, Holmes, Edwards, Whitmarsh, Jackson, Conlon, Davey, Irvine, Bellinger, Langridge, Colderick

Replacements: Redman, Lawson, McHugh, O'Sullivan, Bradnam

REDINGENSIANS: Foxley, Rossiter, Bryant, Souter, Corrigan, Humberstone, Cole, Alder, Henderson, Berry, Taylor, Morrison, Nightingale, Vooght, Stapley

Replacements: O'Meara, Steadman, Thompson, Ellabourdy, Illingworth.

REFEREE: Charlie Gayther

ATTENDANCE: 250

Star man

Rory McHugh – Tonbridge