TABARD 25
Eton Manor 13 –
A scintillating try in the second half by Tabard’s centre, Dan Ashcroft,
helped to secure a great win by 25 points to 13, for hard pressed Tabard
against Eton Manor on Saturday. Although
only Tabard’s second league win it was against a
strong side and this, coupled with a fine performance throughout the game
showed that Tabard has everything in place for further victories.
Tabard’s was a solid team
performance with everybody doing their bit, especially the forwards who
scrummaged magnificently against much bigger opponents and they were inspired
in their endeavours by a stirring performance from flanker Ben Matheson who
tackled anything that moved and was inspirational going forwards.
The most motivational thing however was Tabard got off to good start
with stand off Jack Reilly converting a penalty after Eton Manor were caught
holding on virtually from the kick off.
This signalled a good period from Tabard and 10 minutes later a long pass out from centre Richard Woodard found number 8 Scott Stoba lurking on
the wing and he was over for the try which Reilly converted. Tabard 10 points to nil ahead.
Then things looked a bit rocky as with virtually their first foray into
Tabard territory Eton Manor ran the ball wide and fullback Wilcox was over in
the corner for a try. Fortunately
Tabard rallied and held their own but a period of intense pressure against
Tabard finally resulted in another score for Eton Manor when their centre Skurs
went over for another unconverted try so the sides turned round at ten points
apiece.
Manor started the second half strongly but Tabard responded and
initially picked up a Reilly penalty to stretch their lead before Ashcroft’s
try. From the Manor 10 metre line
Tabard started a move which left Ashcroft nowhere to go but back inside
straight into the Manor defence. Then,
he was passed one player and into a solid defensive wall but somehow he spun
round and out of the cover to sprint clear and score virtually under the posts
for Reilly to convert putting Tabard ten
points clear again. Manor responded but
they could not penetrate the Tabard wall and had to be content with a drop goal
from stand off
The last five minutes was frenetic stuff but Jack Reilly spotted an
opportunity from his own tryline and made a break before setting wing Neil
Hopcroft away. Neil kicked ahead at the
halfway line and Richard Woodard chased and was on hand to score the try which
sealed Tabard’s victory by 25 points to 13.
Team: Fleuren, Peters, Ashcroft,
Woodard, Hopcroft, Reilly, Karstel, Gough, Gates, Baker, O’Connor, Long,
Montagu, Matheson and Stoba.
Tabard’s next league game is on 9th February away at
Chingford.