Tabard held by Grasshoppers

London Two North West

Grasshoppers 12 Tabard 12

TABARD had the edge up front on Saturday but Grasshoppers had good three-quarters and in the end neither side prevailed as the game ended in a draw.

The scoreline reflected the balance of the sides with Tabard’s second row, Sam Barrow, kicking four first half penalties while Grasshoppers scored two tries, one of which was converted.

The game started fairly briskly but after just two minutes Grasshoppers were over-eager round the base of the ruck and Barrow landed the first of his penalties to put Tabard ahead. Unfortunately, from the re-start kick Tabard were caught cold and Grasshoppers put together the phases and in the end outsmarted the Tabard defence and their full-back, Easton, was over for the try.

The first half then settled down with both sides playing good rugby and Tabard maybe just edging the territory which enabled Barrow to kick his second penalty when Grasshoppers were offside again. This was followed midway through the half with a further Barrow penalty, this time Grasshoppers were not binding in the scrum and then another for going over the top of the loose, giving Tabard the first half lead by 12 points to 5.

The second half was a close and exciting affair with Tabard outplaying Grasshoppers in the tight scrums and line outs and Grasshoppers running hard at the Tabard defence. For Tabard centre Gerry Arasa made some good breaks including one searing upfield break which nearly brought him a try and the forwards had some powerful runs, notably by prop Wilf Lake and No.8 Cam O’Connor.

Grasshoppers knew all about attack and it was only good tackling, especially by Arasa and flanker Joe Ruston, that kept them at bay but the star of the tackling was wing Rhys Lewis who tackled magnificently throughout including two try saving ones that brought admiration from both the crowd and his team mates.

However, Grasshoppers were good in the threequarters and in the end, with ten minutes to go they breached the Tabard defence and centre Orishaguna hopped over the line for a try which he converted.

Both sides then had the opportunity to strike but the defences held and the game was drawn.

Next week Tabard are at home to Chiswick, kick off 3pm

Tabard: Hopcroft, Jenkins, Sleath, Arasa, Lewis, Edwards, Gough, Lake B., Hart (McKenzie 63m), Lake W, Hall, Barrow, Ruston and Stoba.

Other Result: Tabard 2nd XV 24 Finchley 5.