Tring returned to London & South East Premier action on Saturday with a trip to an extremely wet Tunbridge Wells. With their opponents struggling for league form, it posed a good opportunity for Tring to start fast after the Christmas break. The visitors were buoyed by the return of Sam Barnes and Richard Beeny to the starting XV.

With driving wind and rain at kick off, the opening stages were cagey with both sides fighting for territory and possession. Eventually, Tring began to string together some strong phase play within the Tunbridge Well’s half after abrasive carrying from the forward pack. With the hosts pinned back on their try line, fly half Will Mitchell was able to find a gap in the rushing defence, diving over for the first points of the game and converting his own score. The period that followed would be a dominant, yet frustrating time for Tring. The front row was too strong for Tunbridge Well’s scrum, with the referee awarding multiple penalties to the visitors. In the end, injuries would force Tunbridge Wells to request uncontested scrums. However, despite the sustained pressure and territory, Tring could not add to their lead. Tunbridge Wells would pull themselves back into the game just before half time with two penalty goals in quick succession, 6-7 at half time.

The weather improved for the beginning of the second half and so did the Tunbridge Well’s attack, who were able to pin Tring deep in their own half early on. Despite multiple penalties against them, outstanding defence from the Tring forwards around the breakdown would eventually lead to a turnover. This galvanised the team and after more hard work up front from the pack, Mitchell spotted space in behind the defence. His low kick into the in-goal was eventually grounded by the chasing Ted Stanford. Mitchell converted from out wide. The hosts scored late on in broken play to reduce the gap to 4, however Tring were able to see out the match and take the spoils.

Tries: W Mitchell, T Stanford
Conv: W Mitchell (2)
Pens: W Mitchell