FinchleyA

Finchley 16 TABARD 28 – London League 2 North West

Tabard were down to 14 men after four minutes on Saturday as their centre was red carded but they raised their game, especially in the first half, to finally defeat a robust Finchley side by 28 points to 16.

Tabard also had to put up with Finchley permanently killing the ball, almost without reprimand, a plethora of high tackles and continual fringing round the loose but they kept their game together with good performances from stand off, Jack Reilly, who survived being completely taken out after a kick ahead, which was unseen by the referee, centre Kieran Murphy, who showed flair throughout, his partner in the centre Michael Thomas, who started the game on the flank and, crucially, second row Darren Kidd who controlled the line out, especially in the second half when Finchley were attacking Tabard forcefully.

The game was always going to be a tough one and, after the red card, Finchley converted a penalty, kicked by stand off Webb, after Tabard were penalised for off side. The game then settled into a dogged affair but after 12 minutes Tabard went on the board with a superb try from Murphy. Taking the ball on the half way line he handed off three Finchley defenders on his way to the line for the score which Reilly converted.

Reilly then added two further penalties, one from virtually his own half, to put Tabard 13 points to three ahead. Tabard then had another great try, this time the ball was passed quickly out from the top of a line out and Thomas made the ground in the centre before passing to wing Matty Roberts, for the score, which Reilly converted with a great long distance attempt.

Just before half time Finchley scored a try of their own. From a scrum close in the scrum half fed number 8, Briden, for the score which was given even though the scoring pass looked a long way forward.

After the break Tabard quickly scored again, this time from a line out drive with Kidd claiming the touchdown. Finchley quickly replied with a try by scrum half Fraser when he ran the ball from a short penalty.

The game then settled to a hard affair with Finchley showing determination and spirit and Tabard defending like demons. Mid way through the half Finchley were rewarded with another penalty from Webb and then, virtually at the close, Reilly added another penalty to bring up the final score of 28 points to 16 and also take Reilly over the 100 points for the season.

Team: Ashcroft, Roberts, Murphy, Taylor-Davies, Woodhead, Reilly, Murphy, Collette, O’Neill, Lake, Kidd, Calnan, Hall, Thomas and Stoba.