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TABARD 61 Finchley 19 – London League 2 North West

Tabard ensured promotion to the next league on Saturday as their 61 points to 19 defeat of Finchley means that they cannot be caught although there are still four games to go. Tabards victory was spearheaded by centre Gerald Arasa, who scored a hat trick in quick succession to give Tabard a start that Finchley could not hope to recover form although they did run in some spirited tries.

It was number 8 Scott Stoba who got Tabard off the mark in the second minute of the game following a line out drive and a fleeting break by scrum half Andy Murray who fed Stoba for the score. Stand off Jack Reilly converted.

It was another 10 minutes before Arasa weaved his first bit of magic. From a scrum about 15 metres out Arasa received the ball with very little room to manoeuvre but he just burst through the cover for a great try which Reilly converted. Virtually from the kick off Arasa did it again. This time from a line out the mixture was repeated and Arasa just sprinted through for his second try which Reilly converted.

It was then time for hooker Marty O’Neill to get in on the act. This time from near the half way line wing Neil Hopcroft made the initial yardage before Reilly put O’Neill away for another good score which Reilly converted. Arasa then got his third try. Tabard won a lineout just in the Finchley half and Arasa once again ghosted through the centre for the score which Reilly converted. Not to be outdone O’Neill then picked up his second try after Tabard turned over Finchley ball in a ruck and second row Darren Kidd made the early yards before feeding O’Neill for the score, again Reilly converted.

Just before half time, with Tabard easing up, Finchley scored from a line out drive, prop Cooper claiming the touchdown, so the sides turned round with Tabard ahead by 40 points to five.

The second half was a much more subdued affair although Tabard did score within three minutes, Kidd driving through the line out for the try with Reilly again converting. Finchley then got another try, following possession from a line out their wing Jenkins was over and stand off Saliba added the conversion.

Reilly then got a try of his own. This time wing Keiran Murphy did a long break down the wing before passing to Reilly in support who scored to take his points tally over 200 for the season and he then added the conversion.

A spate of penalties which Finchley ran eventually brought them some cheer with a try from number 8, Bridon which Saliba converted.

Reilly then completed Tabard’s day with another try as Tabard ran out of defence and his conversion took Tabard over the 60 points to finally win by 61 points to 19.

Team: Cunningham, Hopcroft (Roberts 60m), Arasa, Taylor-Davies, Murphy K, Reilly, Murphy A, Lake B, O’Neill (Davey 55m) Lake W, O’Connor, Kidd, Calnan, Hall (Thomas 50m) and Stoba.