London Three North West London New Zealand 21 Tabard 13 TABARD suffered an away defeat at the hands of London New Zealand on Saturday losing by 21 points to 13 in a game in which they played their hearts out in the second half but all to no avail. Tabard

London Three North West

London New Zealand 21 Tabard 13

TABARD suffered an away defeat at the hands of London New Zealand on Saturday losing by 21 points to 13 in a game in which they played their hearts out in the second half but all to no avail.

Tabard mounted an early attack and centre Mike Thomas made a superb outside break to feed wing Phil Cooper but he was stopped tantalisingly short of the line. However, Tabard's season has been long and hard and the rising injury toll has them fielding a differing side each week and this early lack of cohesion gifted London New Zealand a try after 10 minutes when Tabard were forced to run the ball into touch near their own line. The home side's prop, Varr, threw the ball into himself and was able to touch down in the corner virtually unmolested as Tabard waited for the referee to blow for the ball not going five metres. Unfortunately the referee was not in a good position and the try was allowed.

Tabard recovered their composure and were quickly on the scoreboard with a great try from scrum half Andy Murphy. From a line out Tabard's second row Cam O'Connor gained clean possession and fed Murphy who was able to power through the disparaging New Zealand tackles for a great try.

Although Tabard then had some good periods the New Zealanders were able to put pressure on the Tabard defence causing Tabard to give away two penalties which were kicked by their wing Prime. This brought the half time score to 11-5 in the New Zealander's favour.

After the break Tabard mounted an early attack and were in turn awarded a penalty kicked by Murphy. The jubilation was short lived however as Prime replied in a similar manner to restore the six point margin. It was now Tabard's turn to put pressure on their opponents and this they did, spending a long period in the opposition half and mounting attack after attack on a desperate defence. Wing Matt Roberts had a good run but was stopped short, number 8 Scott Stoba picked up at the base of the scrum a number of times but nothing came of the moves and stand off Gerald Arasa was through but a despairing New Zealand hand managed to knock the ball loose.

After this continuing pressure what so often happens did. New Zealand made their way to near the Tabard line and their number 8, Parsons, picked up from the scrum and, despite heroic attempts to stop him he was through for the try which Prime converted.

In a last desperate flurry Tabard scored virtually on full time when Roberts and Arasa exchanged passes up the touchline with Roberts touching down for the try but it was all too late and Tabard were defeated 21-13.

Tabard are at home to Grasshoppers at their Cobden Hill, Radlett home on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Team: Hopcroft, Cooper, Thomas (Austerberry 65m), Lewis, Roberts, Arasa, Muphy, Collette, Baker (Gill 70m), Gough, Sio, Montague, O'Connor, Hall, Stoba.

l On Sunday, Tabard are hosting the 23rd Herts U7s and U8s Tag festival, with 85 sides competing in total. The games are played by 10 a side in leagues to start with and then moving to competitions for the various trophies available. The first game is expected to kick off at 10:30 am.