Tonbridge Juddians began life in National League 1 with an 18-18 draw against Bishop's Stortford.

Stortford got the first points on the board with a well-taken try by winger Chris Smith, with fly-half George Cullen adding the extras.

The visitors had the edge at lineouts, constantly securing good possession from their throw-ins, but Juddians showed a definite edge in the scrummage.

Their strength in the scrum helped them keep possession and, via a penalty kick to touch, they worked deep into Stortford territory. From a good position close to Stortford’s line Tonbridge won the scrum and forced their way over the whitewash, hooker Mike O’Sullivan the scorer.

Cullen kicked another three points as the visitors changed ends 10-5 ahead, but TJs were to win the second half starting with wing-forward Truman Sullivan's try out wide. That levelled the scores and the hosts led for the first time with a long kick from just inside Stortford territory from full-back Harvey Young.

The lead lasted just five minutes, though, as Cullen continued to prove a thorn in Juddians' side with another penalty to take the score to 13-13. And things got worse for the hosts with a serious injury to wing-forward Matt Foulds, which held up the game for 15 minutes.

Young went close to crossing Stortford’s line with a fine run but from an ensuing ruck the ball was squeezed out for lock-forward Toby Freeman to score TJ’s third try, but they couldn't hold on and centre Sam Winter crossed for Stortford’s second try. Luckily for Tonbridge Stortford missed the conversion and with that the chance to win the match. With the score now at 18 – 18 and the conversion kick in an eminently kickable position it looked as though Stortford would take the lead and snatch the win. Fortunately for TJs the kick sailed wide of the posts.

Tonbridge are next in action with a trip to Reading to face Rams on Saturday.

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