TJs run riot after early red card sets the tone

By GARETH WITHERS

Tonbridge J…………45

North Walsham……. 7

A red card to North Walsham’s William Howard 90 seconds into the game always meant the hosts were favourites from that point and they duly delivered scoring seven tries to earn a bonus-point win.

With the game little more than a minute old, TJ’s centre Duncan Tout was upended, spun beyond vertical and referee Katherine Ritchie had little hesitation in brandishing a red card.

TJs capitalised immediately crossing with a catch-anddrive score, Josh van Vuuren on debut scoring and Tom White converting, before two minutes later Hugo Watson crossed for the first of his three.

Another score before half-time from Duncan Tout, converted by White, sent TJs into the break 19 points to the good. It took the home side only four minutes after the break to cross for the fourth, bonus point, score as centre James Newey drifted round and palmed off the defence with ease from a close range and dominant TJs scrum.

As it appeared the floodgates could open, the Norfolk outfit started to play with more tempo, throwing the ball around and tapping and going from penalties. They were rewarded after a good line from centre George Loose saw him cut through untouched to score under the sticks. Fly-half Matthew Hodgson adding the extras.

However, any hope of a comeback was short-lived when Tom Chapman finished superbly and Watson crossed for two more scores, including a stunning one handed pick up from a crossfield kick.

White finished with five conversions as TJs eased to the full five points.