Horsham 19 Tunbridge Wells 30
Horsham put up a spirited display against unbeaten Tunbridge Wells on Sunday, causing their opponents to concede more points than they had done in their previous four games combined.
It was business as usual to begin with however as Horsham struggled to come to terms with the powerful running of the big Wells pack. Wells threatened to score with the first move of the game but were bundled into touch. They were not held at bay for long however as a strong forward run broke the Horsham tackles for the first of four first half tries. Horsham had some success in turning over rucks but consistently conceded possession at scrums and lineouts. Wells added a second after Horsham were caught offside following a kick downfield and a third was only avoided when Billy Twelvetrees brought down a player twice his size two metres short of the line. Wells scored further tries as the pressure they exerted forced Horsham into conceding penalties near their own line. Only near half time and already 20-0 down did Horsham enjoy any possession in their opponents half as David Miller attempted to break through.
Things changed in the second half as the Wells kick off gave Horsham a chance to run at them and Ben Davey initially tested the Wells defence. Wells then counter attacked but a fine tackle by Ed Neal gave possession back to Horsham and Davey was stopped just short. Wells soon infringed and Twelvetrees set up Sam Rice who scored between the posts although the Wells line had looked well defended. The score gave Horsham renewed confidence but crucially, just as they were mounting another attack they were penalised for crossing and Wells scored from the resulting penalty. Wells then made the game safe after they stole the ball at the line out and burst through to touch down. Horsham hit back with two late tries. Firstly Twelvetrees took a tap and run penalty and broke through most of the Wells defence. Good support running from Liam Yeates meant he was there to collect the ball and make the last few metres to score as Twelvetrees was stopped short of the line. In the final minute Twelvetrees and Yeates again combined to set up Joe Davis to score in the corner.
Squad: Barber, Bell, Davey, Davis, Filkins, Gill, Goodman, Holt, Miller, Neal, Ordidge, Rice, Scholefield, Taylor, Twelvetrees, Yeates