TJs Leave Cliff on the Edge

The 1st XV enjoyed a chilly 24 - 38 away win at Westcliff on Saturday, a result which leaves TJs in 5th whilst Westcliff are left teetering on the relegation doorstep. A brace of tries each for Nabbs and McMahon led the way whilst Davey and Normann grabbed one apiece. Dan Hawkes added 4 conversions to pass 200 points kicked for the season. Westcliff scored 4 tries of their own with 2 being converted.

League leaders Dorking's 11 - 17 win at Combe keeps them 2 points clear of Bishop's Stortford whilst the loss brings Combe back to within 4 points of TJs. Dorking's Mumford was again the points maker with 4 penalties to his name as each side managed just a single try each in wintry conditions. Old Elthamians saw off the visiting Guernsey 42 - 17 whilst Tring had a HWO v bottom and relegated Staines as the latter could not raise a side for the game.

In London 1 South Dover lost 23 - 28 to Cobham and Sidcup lost 16 - 36 to Havant. All four sides are in mid table and safe so no real changes here.

Charlton Park beat Deal & Betteshanger 27 - 17 in London 2SE to maintain their play off position as they trail Brighton by 8pts and lead Crowborough by 4pts. With just two games to go it seems unlikely that anyone will catch CP for that runners up spot.

In London 3SE Vigo lost 17 - 40 to Folkestone and although they have three games left they are as good as down as Maidstone (1st) and Sheppey (2nd) are two of their remaining opponents.

Not a Great Game But TJs Take The Win

TJs secured a 20 point lead against Gravesend and had high hopes of a bonus point 4th try but it never came as Gs fought back with 2 goals of their own. A 20 -14 victory which keeps TJs in 5th and provides Gs with what could be an invaluable bonus point as they sit 5 points clear of Tring who remain thrid from bottom.

The leaders Dorking maintained their 3 point lead at the top after a 64 - 14 romp against Hertford whilst Bishop's Stortford remain in touch after a slightly tougher 37 - 13 win over Tring.

Barnes saw off Westcliff 26 - 17 and denied the Ws a losing bonus point whilst Combe beat bottom placed Staines 10 - 45. Old Elthamians just held off CS Rugby 1863 22 - 29 whilst Guernsey enjoyed a 39 - 19 win over Thurrock.

In London 1 South, East Grinstead cannot be stopped after a 58 - 10 win over Gosport & Fareham. Chicjhester remain second, just, after beating Wimbledon 23 - 24. Basingstoke remain third and just 2 points short of Chi after a 7 - 36 win over Beckenham.

In L2SE Brighton are getting stronger and stronger after a 5 - 59 win at Old Dunstonians and Charlton Park remain second after a last minute penalty try win over Sevenoak by 25 - 18. Sevenoas are just ahead of the bottom two and will be grateful for the bonus point at least. Crowborough remain in the hunt too after a 53 nil rout of relegated Thanet.

In L3SE Maidstone are 27 points clear at the top after a 3 - 33 win away at Sheppey. That loss drops Sheppey to third behind T Wells who beat Bromley 13 - 31. T Wells are now 4 points clear of Sheppey in 2nd but hve played a game more.

TJs Show Fighting Spirit at BS

With many suggesting that TJ's season was effectively over after exiting the Kent Cup at Blackheath and losing to Guernsey in the league all in the same week, presumably they also though this would be a stroll in the park for title chasing Bishop's Stortford too?

Someone had not told the TJ squad though as they stormed to a 3 - 15 half time lead. Everyone knew that BS would come back into the game as they hang on to Dorking's shirt tails as the squeaky part of the season moves into view. And back they did come.

A 2nd half rally saw themovertake TJs at 26 - 20 before skipper Charlie Harding forced his way over in the corner with the last open play moment of the game. Dan Hawkes had a touchline conversion to take the win but just failed and a 26 - 25 final result was noted.

The win keeps BS just 3 points behind Dorking who eventually overcame OEs 3 - 29. Barnes are then 5 more points back after they won 23 - 26 at TJ's next opponents Gravesend. Hertford expectedly beat Staines 79 - 11 and Thurrock went down 28 - 38 to CS Rugby 1863. Westcliff had an important 29 - 8 win over Guernsey which leaves them just 4 points behind Gravesend and 2 points behind Tring who went down 18 - 32 to Combe. Plenty still to play for at the top and the bottom of N3L&SE then.

In London 1 South the leaders East Grinstead continue to rampage after a 5 - 93 at likely to be relegated Trojans. Chichester remain in 2nd after a 24 - 5 win over likely to be relegated Old Colfeians but Basingstoke remain within strikin distance after a 66 - 21 win over Cobham.

In L2SE Brighton took a big step towards promotion with a 36 - 17 win over Charlton Park who are now 7 points behind in 2nd. Crowborough took advantage to close to within 5 points of CP with a 25 - 28 win at Medway whilst Lewes are just another point back after they won at Thanet by 11 - 20. Sevenoaks remain third from the bottom but only 2 points above Old Dunstonians after they lost 6 - 19 to D&B.

Maidstone continue to romp away with L3SE after a 95 - 12 win over Horsham. The race for 2nd remains very much on with Sheppey beating Park House 20 - 52 and T Wells seeing off bottom placed Vigo 46 nil to stay just 1 point behnd Sheppey

Spirited Guernsey Turn TJs Over

After the midweek Cup loss at freezing Blackheath TJs were probably hoping for a warmer welcome in Guernsey. Unfortunately the temperature did not improve any and a 16 - 11 loss was not on the forecast.

Despite starting brightly TJ's inability to convert territory and possession into points cost them dear as Guernsey grew in confidence to turn a 3 nil deficit into a 16 - 3 lead before Tjs clawed themselves back into bonus point territory at the end.

A huge disappointement for TJs who now find themselves 4 points behind Combe after they beat Thurrock 35 - 18. TJ's bouns point loss keeps them in the hunt for higher places though and could be crucial come the run in. In the other rearranged game from N3L&SE Old Elthamians saw off Hertford 6 - 31 to go sixth.

This Saturday TJs travel to second placed and title chasing Bishop's Stortford hoping to improve on the 6 all draw from back in 2012. A big game for both sides. Leaders Dorking travel to Old Elthamians whilst Barnes are at Gravesend and Combe at Tring.