TABARD 13 Ruislip 20 – London League 2 North
Tabard put in a creditable performance against a strong Ruislip side on Saturday but in the end they had to accept defeat by 20 points to 13 and with it almost certain relegation at the end of the season.
On the day Ruislip showed the sort of cohesion that a side playing together consistently can achieve whereas Tabard have had a disastrous season injury wise and were not as fluid in the threequarters as their opponents. Having said that it was Tabard who started the stronger side and Ruislip, even with the advantage of the elements, were forced into defensive mode and had no answer to Tabard’s tenacity in attack. Reward had to come and it did when, from a good line out take by Cam O’Connor, Tabard set up a powerful drive and prop Steve Wilkinson was on hand to claim the score. Unfortunately centre Jack Reilly’s conversion just fluttered the wrong side of the post and Tabard had to be content with a five point lead.
The half then settled down with Tabard playing well, especially up front and Ruislip looking to penetrate the Tabard defence. Finally, with five minutes to go in the half Ruislip got through. The ball was moved rapidly along the line and wing Batty was given space to score in the corner and even the scoring. Ruislip then repeated the mixture just before the turn around with Batty scoring again and Tabard were five points adrift.
The second half was again a close contested affair with both sides employing similar tactics of kicking for ground and this resulted in an abnormal number of line outs. Fortunately Tabard’s ball winning trio of O’Connor, Montague and Davies were equal to the task and Tabard took several Ruislip throw ins. Tabard also enjoyed some time in their opponents territory and were rewarded with a long penalty from Reilly. However, Ruislip, aided by the Tabard injury jinx striking again with prop James Davey dislocating his shoulder, were edging the game and after a sustained assault on the Tabard line their centre Gibson was through for a try under the posts which stand off Forster converted.
No further scores came Ruislip’s way until Tabard were caught offside and Forster converted the penalty to bring Ruislip’s tally to 20 points. The final phase of the game was then all Tabard but, despite persistent attacks the defence held until the end when once again Tabard initiated a powerful line out drive and this time number 8 Gareth Davies claimed the score but time then ran out and Tabard had to accept defeat by 20 points to 13.
Team: Fleuren, Ashcroft, Thomas, Reilly, Hopcroft, Woodard, Karstel, Wilkinson, Gates, Davey (Long 60m), O’Connor, Montague, Troyer (Bates 65m), Matheson and Davies.
Tabard’s next game is not until March 29th when they play Woodford at home.