Tonbridge Juddian 32 Raiders 26

But there was some consolation from the 32-26 defeat.
The two bonus points won, combined with Shelford losing 25-0 to Southend Saxons, sees the gap between fifth-placed Raiders and Shelford now at six points.

Things looked bleak for Jordan Reynolds' side when they fell 32-12 adrift with 25 minutes left and, soon after, Ned Brown was sent to the sin-bin. But Raiders dug deep and with their forwards continuously putting pressure on the home try line the ever sharp Adam Nixon nipped over the line for a score under the posts.
Owen Thomas converted and with TJs picking up two yellow cards Raiders ramped up the pressure and looked the fitter of the two teams in the closing stages.
A fourth try for the visitors was not far way and as Raiders drove for the line again the home side brought down the maul and left the referee no option but to award Guernsey a converted penalty try to make it a six-point game.
A relieved home crowd were grateful for the final whistle, while Raiders departed ruing not taking the chance to win a great game which had seen the home side fly out of the blocks and score with an early pick up and drive try which was converted.
With the wind in their favour the TJ's fly half regularly pinned back the visitors with kicks at every opportunity.
Then, on 17min., a penalty for hands in the ruck gave TJ's a further three points and a 10-0 lead.
Raiders responded well and on 22min. a penalty allowed Owen Thomas to kick into the home side's 22 and a lineout oppportunity.
From a trademark catch and drive Dan Hill was guided over the line by his pack and Thomas converted.
A penalty for offside gave the home side a further three points for a 13-7 lead which was extended on the half-hour mark when a loose pass was snapped up by the TJs centre for an intercept try under the posts which was converted.

Raiders were proving resilient though and just before half time the green-and-whites patience paid dividends with another forwards attack on the opponents try line resulting in Cameron Crane crashing over the whitewash for a well- deserved try.
Sadly, Owen Thomas’s conversion hit the post and fell out and with that the sides went in to half-time with a 20-12 scoreline.
TJs also started the second half well and just 5min. in a kick into our corner set up the home team for their own catch and drive attack which resulted in a converted try.
The gap was now 15 points but Raiders were starting to use the wind to their advantage with Owen Thomas kicking well to the corners.
Raiders pressed hard but then gifted another try which with the conversion being missed took the lead up to 20 at 32-12.

To their credit, Raiders responded as their coach would have expected. They hit back with those two late scores, but had left themselves with too much to do.