Tunbridge Wells III 12 vs TWRUFC 1st XV 27

24th Oct 2026, KO 14:30

Tunbridge Wells III - Away

Live Text, Match Report & Information

Match Report

This week may have been the first week that the weather fully took its toll on the county. Storm Austen had set its place all across the UK, with yellow weather warnings on hand out and forecasted wind speeds of 45 miles per hour we knew conditions were out to play a big part of the days fixtures across the leagues.

Upon the journey up, there was a for sure sense of the bad weather slowly building, rain began to pick up, and winds were becoming more and more apparent. And nerves began to grow as we realized we’d be up against a professional outfit, clearly displayed by their £5 spectator fee !!! With a packed out car park as well people had to chuck their motors pretty far away all except Guy who somehow sweet talked the last spot for his van.

Ash were the first ones out on the pitch beginning their warm up which was a definitely needed part of the day. And turned out that Sussex council which owns ….. half ….. of the ground at Tunbridge wells (the border is directly between their 1st and 2nd team pitch) decided that pitches a county over should be more reminiscent of the Bahamas with the amount of sand sprinkled through the turf. Some concerns also grew over the worrying amount of rocks that were also scattered around everywhere, as well as the sharp flint which definitely would’ve sliced up some of our sliding backs.

So it was a nice relief to find out we’d actually be playing on the other pitch instead, despite the mile walk from the changing room. And we took to that pitch strong, A front row of Mr Crump, Gunter and Ben Brabs, Joey Heathcote and strapped up Jimmy O in the second row, Joey Hales for a second 80 minutes in 2 weeks at 6, Guy Williamson at 7 and begrudgingly Skipper Kieran Munn-Hollands at 8. Lewis Hopkins at 9, paired with the fairly exclusive nowadays Ben Gunter. Alex Manning and Connor Meyer filled the centres partnership as has been the last 4 games, and a solid back three of Connor McGrath, Henry Stephens and Simon Race.

The game got off to a very wet and soggy start, middle, and end. The weather played a huge part in the fixture making perfect hands which we all love just a dream for the day. The forwards were aware this was their game, crashing and breaking lines was going to be a big part of this weeks fixture and every single player from 1 to 8 stepped up to this challenge. We opened the scoring with some good running lines ending up with a safe pass to Connor McGrath who ran our first try of the afternoon into the bottom corner in style. Where we thought the wind would affect the most (off of the tee) Ben Gunter showed off the fact he’s been practicing that right boot and slotted a lovely conversion from right out on the touchline, 0-7. Some more promising play opened up a penalty chance just outside the posts which Ben beautifully struck, adding his second contribution to the score tally of the day 0-10.

At this point Tunbridge Wells fought back hard and claimed a vitl 7 points putting some pressure on the boys in the pink and black away strip. But Ash clapped back securing an all vital maul drive scrum ending in the safe hands of the skipper Kieran Munn-Hollands for his third of the year.

What a half time performance under tough conditions and as they took out to the field there was just one message for the second 40, stay in the game and score some more.

And the boys didn’t disappoint, the defensive effort across the park was an absolute staple to the class Ash produces week in week out, every player who took to the pitch hit every tackle with 100% strength. Flattening opposition pushing them back a lot of the time. However, defence can only do so much and Wells grafted another score closing the gap 12-15. This seemed to revitalize the boys however, and they came out the blocks running, hungry for tries. And with the bolster of cold wet substitutes we managed to achieve just that. Tristan Snoad made his debut for the senior side after a couple years out from colts games with the club, Doctor Stef made his first appearance not against the boys this year and Henry Lawn made a return on the wing as well.

Kieran bashed over the line for his second of the day, crashing lines and breaking defences in the process, like every other person on the pitch equalled. And just as the game looked as though it was in its dying embers a loose ball on the floor about half way out met the boot of Joey Hales whose eyes widened at the chance of making an all timer try for himself, imagine the bragging right of a little chase down from 50 meters, those are legendary tales, but the greed of Lawn speeding his outside quickly overtook him and slid with an outstretched arm over the line to secure the final score ?!?!?!?!?!?!

What a win, horrible conditions and a great graft of a game. Every single player put in maximum effort in an incredible shift out there and served the badge with pride for the full 80.

If I don’t mention it he’ll add it anyway so worth mentioning a clearance box kick which the wind brough backwards into the score zone which Sam Gunter elegantly swan dived on to secure what should’ve been the third try of the day, but apparently air held up the ball below him preventing that all important score.

A great win on the road and now we look to the coming week. Training Tuesday, Friday Night Lights on the 30th October where we Host Dover 2nd XV for the first flood lit game of the year, the day before the club Halloween Party.

Thankyou to Tunbridge for hosting with such class as always, we love the club not so much the drive ……. Best of luck for the rest of the season and we eagerly await hosting the return fixture.

And a huge thankyou to all the travelling support in horrible conditions it shows a hell of a commitment to our club.