Rugby: Third home defeat on bounce for Tunbridge Wells

Pam Mills
HOLDING ON: Tom Bailey clings on to the ball in the rain Photo: Bruce Elliott

Tunbridge Wells struggled to cope with wet conditions once again as they slipped to their third home defeat in succession in the London & South East Premier Division.

For the first league meeting between the two teams, Wells had the elements in their favour in the first half and were looking to take advantage and build a sizeable lead.

Frank Reynolds kicked a simple penalty after Brentwood’s Adam Thomas was sin-binned for team misdemeanours close to the visitors’ line.

But despite pinning Brentwood back in their 22, it took until the 23rd minute for Wells to threaten.

The ball was skilfully directed to George Montgomery for a converted try. It was the full-back’s first start since returning from London Irish.

Five minutes before half-time left wing Jake Caddy beat his opposite number on the outside and fed Reynolds to score close to the posts and add the extras for a 17-0 lead.

In their first visit to the Wells 22, Brentwood found space out wide for a diagonal kick to right wing Liam Batty, who scored an unconverted try to reduce the deficit at the interval.

Further bad news came for the hosts when Max Hobbs left the field with a serious shoulder injury.

Within two minutes of the restart the home tackling was found wanting down the left as full-back Toby Simpson scored a converted try.

Wells could not break out as the rain intensified and were hampered by a combination of inaccurate passing and poor technical kicking out of hand.

On the hour the visitors spotted space on the right flank and another diagonal kick allowed Batty to score again, with Brad Burr converting from the touchline to put his side in the lead.

In the 68th minute a poor clearance kick found Simpson in space and he moved the ball wide for Batty to complete his hat trick and Burr to convert – Brentwood won the second half 21-0, showing how conditions affected the match.

Wells, who are now third from bottom in the Premier Division, have a welcome week off before travelling to Sutton & Epsom on October 20 [kick-off 3pm].

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