Tabard took
advantage of the brisk wind on Saturday to put themselves
23 points to nil up at half time before eventually beating London New
In the
first half Tabard’s stand off, Jack Reilly, used the wind to full advantage
with long probing kicks but it was Tabards hard working forwards who once
again gave Tabard the up front superiority that enabled the Tabard runners
to take full advantage, none so than in the opening try. Centre Mike Thomas started the move with one
of his searing runs up the centre, then, as he was stopped, Tabard re-cycled
the ball and fullback Steve Jenkins came into the line to create the overlap
and score the try. Reilly converted and
then, as the New Zealanders rallied, Reilly kept the score board ticking over with
three penalties, two from long range.
Just before half time Tabard scored again.
This time number 8, Scott Stoba, picked up at the base of a scrum about
20 metres out, he fed scrum
half Andy Murphy, who then powered through the defence for the
try which Reilly converted to bring up the half time score of 23 points to nil.
In the
second half it was Tabard’s turn to go on the defensive as the wind made it
difficult to get out of their own half. In fact Tabard defended remorselessly for 25
minutes without conceding a score. At
this time everyone tackled hard and their were no defensive errors but Reilly
and flanker Cam O’Connor just took the honours with try saving tackles between them.
Although
Tabard had failed to kick out of their own half Reilly, close to the Tabard
line, fed Jenkins, who then went on a searing run up the touchline before
trying to run round the defence and
being shoulder charged inside the opposition 22 metre line. Reilly converted the ensuing penalty to put
Tabard 26 points ahead with fifteen minutes remaining. Although the New Zealanders again attacked,
Tabard once again got
close to their opponents try line and, from clean scrummage ball, wing Joe
Cunningham came into the attack and he
surged through the defence for the try.
London New
Tabard’s
win puts them four points clear at the top of the table but, Hampstead, in
third place but also four points adrift will prove a hard side when Tabard play
them at their Cobden Hill, Radlett,
ground next Saturday, kick off 2.15 pm.
Team: Jenkins,