Written by : Stu Montgomery
Tunbridge Wells produced a dominant and clinical performance to secure a comprehensive 49–14 victory, pulling clear after an initially frantic opening and building sustained pressure through strong defence, sharp attacking execution, and growing control of territory and possession.
Playing with a slight easterly wind at their backs in the first half and moving downhill, Tunbridge Wells started brightly but found themselves under early pressure as the visitors enjoyed a spell of possession. Despite good early defensive work around midfield, sustained phases inside the Wells 22 eventually told, with the visitors crossing from close range to open the scoring. The conversion made it 0–7.
The response from Wells was immediate and emphatic. From a penalty on halfway, a quick tap set the tone for a slick attacking move, with George Montgomery looping around the back to release Josh Baxter who put Ali Main over from ten metres out. The conversion levelled the scores at 7–7 and restored momentum.
From that point on, Wells grew increasingly assured. Defensive organisation tightened, forcing errors and winning penalties at key moments. A strong midfield carry and effective interchange between forwards and backs saw George Montgomery, Ben Whale feeding Jake Rutherford who delivered the score, the conversion pushed Wells into a 14–7 lead.
Territorial pressure continued to build, with Wells repeatedly forcing play deep into the opposition 22. After several phases close to the line, Thornton powered over following a sustained right-to-left touch line movement, the con extending the lead to 21–7 at half-time.
The second half saw Tunbridge Wells accelerate further. Despite a brief period of disjointed kicking early on, defensive resolve held firm, and a strong exit led to renewed pressure. From a penalty kicked into the opposition 22, Thornton finished clinically and another conversion made it 28–7. Another sweeping move from TW across the width of the pitch saw another strike with Hobbs going over for a try and George adding the con to stretch the lead to 35–7.
The visitors enjoyed a prolonged spell of possession near the Wells line midway through the half, running multiple phases, but outstanding defence eventually forced a turnover and a relieving penalty. That moment proved decisive. Shortly afterwards, George intercepted in his own half and ran in from distance, added the con, to extend the score to 42–7.
Wells were now in full control. A superb steal at the breakdown sparked another flowing counter-attack, finished by Hobbs from long range and the con made it 49–7. Although the visitors managed a late consolation score following pressure near the Wells line, the outcome was long decided.
The final whistle confirmed a 49–14 victory — a performance built on defensive resilience, sharp support play, and an increasingly ruthless edge as the game wore on. Tunbridge Wells showed patience early, then power and precision to turn a competitive contest into a commanding win.