January
20th 2002
Brighton
12
Tunbridge
Wells 27
Tunbridge Wells opened brightly and were soon securing plenty of ball for their backs to work with. Good tackling by the Brighton team set up many phases of play but Wells strength paid off and trys were scored by their backs William Robinson and Oliver Priestman. Chris Clemow played a storming game at number 8 and was well supported by fellow forwards Oliver Christie and Thomas Jarvis.
Two further trys from some well-controlled ball saw Wells storm to a 20
point lead. A solid platform was provided by the forwards and excellent service
from srum-half Adam Maltz allowed fly-half Zac Alexander time to use most of
the plays the backs have practiced all season. Hugh Wooster crashing over for
one well deserved try.
Brighton came back into the game running some quickly taken penalties
which Wells were slow to react to. Brighton camped on the Wells line but were
frustrated by some good defending, Rob Sharma and Michael O’Sullivan prominent
for Wells. Several penalties were conceded and eventually Brighton broke
through for a well-deserved try.
Brighton continued to pressure the Wells line and were rewarded with a
further try excellently converted in difficult conditions.
Time was running out as Brighton looked for a further score but the
game was settled when Wells broke clear with good interplay between backs and
forwards leading to a try under the posts.
Many thanks to Brighton as excellent hosts and to their appreciative
spectators.