CS Rugby were forced to work hard to earn their sixth victory in seven league games since the start of this campaign. CS also had to deal with a string of first half injuries: having lost second row Ollie Fulljames in the first minute of the match, and then his replacement after thirty three minutes and just before half time full back Toby Guyatt was injured, although not before he had scored CS’s first try, and his replacement continue the full back theme with a brace of tries.
Tunbridge Wells took the lead for the first time early in the final quarter, and being a well drilled, and hitherto unbeaten side, Tunbridge Wells were probably, at that time, narrow favourites to close out the game. That they did not is testament to the work ethic, and team spirit of the CS squad and coaching team.
The visitors were outclassed in the first half hour giving away five penalties, whilst unusually during that period CS did not concede a single penalty – although that changed later. CS might have crossed the line earlier having had five attacking opportunities that were well defended by the visitors. On 18 minutes CS increased their three nil lead when full back Toby Guyett finished off a fluid backs move with the ball moving swiftly from left to right to score under the posts, which Tom Hodgson duly converted to give CS a lead of 10 – 0. Hodgson attempted a 35 metre penalty into the wind but it fell short, even so CS should have built this lead, but the remainder of the first half changed with CS now giving away five penalties to none by the visitors, and with the half winding down the Tunbridge Wells inside centre broke a tackle which left an overlap, which they duly exploited and Dagwell scored in the right corner which Reynolds skilfully converted. Just before half time CS’s full Toby Guyett back was injured and was replaced by James Houstoun. With the last play of the game the Tunbridge Wells fly half Reynolds converted a penalty from 34 metres, to leave the match finely balanced at 10 – 10 at half time, which based on territory and possession was disappointing to CS and pleasing for Tunbridge Wells.
After the half time break Tunbridge Wells had a good opportunity to take the lead but after CS were awarded a penalty after the visitors held on for too long CS were able to clear their lines. CS then had a number of assaults on the visitors line of their own, mainly involving their forwards with Will Scott and Mikey Smith, often involved, but perhaps due to the injuries to key forwards earlier in the match they were not able to cross the line. Before Tunbridge Wells completely cleared their line CS tried the backs route and this time full back James Houstoun scored in the right corner which Hodgson was not able to convert but at least CS had a 15 – 10 lead. Tunbridge Wells then rallied and fought hard, and were awarded four penalties in the next 7 minutes during which they scored a try, built be the forwards but scored by back Lewis-Donaldson, which Reynolds also converted to lead 15 – 17.
Tunbridge Wells have won many games this season by such scores as befits a team at the top of the league. However the hosts fought back with determination, A couple of moves were kept out with determined defence but on 32 minutes a backs break, again moved to the right was made where Heslop managed to offload to Houstoun who finished the move with an acrobatic try by running through the last defender to score. Hodgson did not convert and the score was 20 – 17 to CS.
The final period was tense with CS conceding three more penalties, the first was kicked to touch, the second was on the half way line and into the wind, and probably not within kicking range, and the third was on the five metre line. To their credit TW rejected the potential three points to earn a draw but the CS defence held form, and despite losing a man to the bin held out until a knock on ended the match.
What a match, CS showed great resilience and spirit to get the win. It was truly nerve racking at the end; CS are now second in the league having leapfrogged Tunbridge Wells, but only six points separate the top four sides. The CS second team also had a cracking match losing narrowly to Richmond having successfully fought back from 14 – 0 down. Next week CS are away to Maidstone, and will have to deal with a lengthening injury list for the trip to Kent.