Saffron Walden: 8

Tonbridge Juddians: 40

TONBRIDGE Juddians are just two wins from Twickenham after another stunning display on Saturday.

Both teams had had injury concerns, so it was encouraging for TJs to have Toby Carroll back to restore the line-out to full strength, as well as Wessel Wolmarans at fly-half.

Eighteen-year-old Jack Mutch replaced the injured Peter Jennings at scrum-half for his first start of the season at this level.

The hosts kicked off in dry and windy conditions, and TJs got off to the proverbial flyer.

The early stages saw TJs pressurising the hosts' defence and they were rewarded when winger Lee Campion finished off a simple move by the three-quarters for the first try, converted by Shaun Cooper.

TJs, leading 7-0 after eight minutes, doubled their lead from the re-start. Jack Browne breached Saffron Walden's defence and he found Campion, in support, finishing off the move with his and the game's second try, Cooper converting.

What a dream start for TJs, 0-14 ahead after just 10 minutes, and it was to get even better three minutes later when try number three was scored by Hayden O'Toole, who finished off more good work by Browne.

At 19-0, the hosts had barely touched the ball and for the most part were chasing shadows.

TJs continued their pressure as they dominated their opponents in every respect and their lead was increased to 26 points after 18 minutes when, after clever play by Mutch, Logan Oliver scored try number four, Cooper converting again.

Oliver scored the fifth try, also converted by Cooper, so that with 26 minutes gone, TJs were 33 points ahead and a cricket score beckoned.

However, the hosts were not done and for the first time in the game they put TJs under pressure. Karl Ambrose was sin-binned after 29 minutes for an indiscretion and TJs were 14 men down for the rest of the first half.

Within a minute of Ambrose's departure, Saffron Walden had exploited their advantage as their left-winger scored an unconverted try and for the remainder of the half TJs were required to defend, doing well to hold out until the half-time whistle.

At the break they led 33-5, and were very good value. In the second half, TJs would have the benefit of the cold wind behind them and there was every reason to believe the pattern of play would follow that of the first. However, it was not to be.

Saffron Walden upped their game and started to give a much better account of themselves. They secured more and better possession and TJs's defensive skills were tested on several occasions.

Furthermore, the referee's interpretation of the laws at the breakdown did not always accord with that of the players of both sides and this resulted in play being disrupted as penalties were conceded.

However, TJs do not concede points easily and, under pressure, kept their shape and discipline with good tackling.

As a consequence, the home side were restricted to one further score – a penalty goal after 10 minutes of the second half.

TJs immediately responded with their sixth and final try which saw Lee Campion scamper over the try line for his hat-trick and Cooper again converting. With the score now 8-40 to TJs, it was to all intents and purposes game over, although there were several near misses for the visitors as Campion and Cooper had strong runs to the try line thwarted.

As the game drew to a close, O'Toole was shown a red card that put a blemish on what was another accomplished performance.

TJs are adjusting well to life after Neil Meyer and it was pleasing that their back row worked well as a unit.

There was plenty of possession for the backs, who again ran hard and straight and their decision-making was generally of a high standard.

It was a joy to see attacks being launched from inside their own half and it was from such a position that many of TJs's points were scored.

The outcome was never really in doubt as TJs had a cutting edge to their play and dominated and controlled the key areas.

Squad: Evans, Stoor, Ambrose, Carroll, Rankin, Chandler, Wagstaff, O'Toole, Mutch, Wolmarans, Biutiviti, Cooper, Browne, Campion, Oliver. Subs: Murray, Underhill, Jennings.

The regional final is due to be played on April 3.

TJs's opponents will be Tottonians or Sudbury, who play on March 20.

In the meantime, it will be back to league duty tomorrow (Saturday), when Old Reigatians will provide the opposition at The Slade (3pm).