TJs GIVEN A 2ND HALF SCARE

‘PHEW, read the TJs Twitter account.
Tonbridge sneaked home but they were given a mighty scare by the Guernsey side who were pressing hard for the victory at the final whistle.
In truth, Lewis Hillier’s men were brilliant for 65 minutes, but the other 15 cost them dearly.
The Guernsey side looked dead and buried at half-time when they trailed 26-5, but an outstanding second half effort very nearly brought them a win and, ultimately, two bonus points, including a four-try bonus.
After roasting his men after the home defeat by Birmingham & Solihull, Jordan Reynolds felt a whole lot better with what he saw a week on - apart from the killer period leading up to half time.
‘There were probably four of five missed tackles in the whole game and it cost us four tries,’ said Reynolds.
‘We just hadn’t turned up when they first scored and then we played really good rugby for 25 minutes, where I think we had the dominance.
‘But then there were those 15 minutes that broke the camel’s back and at half time I said ‘‘we’re just not taking it seriously enough’’.
‘But second half we absolutely dominated them across the park and from my point of view it was good to see we had made massive improvements on the previous week.
‘The only reason we let those tries in was lazy defensive work.
‘But that’s something we will work on, it’s there, we are so close (to clicking).
‘TJs are a fantastic side and we just showed that we can beat these teams, so why are we messing about with it.
‘But I think we have made a big step forward and got two points out of the game.’
‘For 65 minutes we were outstanding, now we have just to bring it into a full 80.’
It was a sleepy start by Raiders.
TJs struck within seconds of the start with a chip over the Raiders backs to score a converted try.
Raiders replied well with a try through the forwards with the impressive Douglas Horrocks driving his way over the line after Lewis Hillier had previously done but was harshly adjudged to be held up the referee.
The conversion attempt by Henry Greenhalgh missed but the visitors were back in the game.
TJs continued to take the game to the Raiders and a fine chip and chase resulted in another fine try for the home side, this time unconverted.
Then the decisive period in which Raiders’ defence again came up short.
Firstly their backs crossed over in the corner for a converted try and it was 19-5.
Straight from the kickoff TJs retained the ball which was followed by another chipped kick gathered by the winger for another smart try.
Again it was converted and Raiders were 21 adrift at the break.
Raiders needed to rally and they did and after a while when both teams battled it out in the centre of the park in a bid to gain the upper hand, Raiders’ forwards strength started to tell.
Forced into errors TJs started to give away penalties which the Raiders started to turn into dividends.
The visiting forwards powered their way to the home try line and it was the ever industrious scrum half Owen Clemett who scored after a dummy pass and slide in.
On a difficult day for kicking Greenhalgh missed the extras but with their tails up the Raiders ran the ball from their own half with Dom Rice charging up the line only to be shoulder charged inches from the line.
Yellow card for the TJs full back.
Raiders went for the catch and drive option and powered over the line with captain Lewis Hillier touching down. Again Greenhalgh missed.
Another home side penalty forced on to them saw the Raiders forwards complete a catch and drive and this time Tom Ceillam drove his way through the defence for a bonus point try and it was 26-20.
With time running out the home crowd were praying for the full time whistle and they were relieved to hear it arrive.
Had Raiders kicked the conversions to add to their tries the result could have been different, but unfortunately the first half deficit was just to much to overcome.
Reynolds had sympathy for Greenhalgh, though.
‘The problem with catch and drives, you generally score in the corner and all the kicks were from the sideline, into a decent breeze.’
Raiders took off both Horrocks and Rice with knocks in the latter stages, but the head coach does not think either is serious and they should be ready for the game at home to Canterbury this weekend. 2pm kick off.