Down but not out as Tabard show quality and ability in unlucky defeat at Chiswick

This game was a case in point and was arguably one of their best showings of the year against a Chiswick side sitting fifth in the table.

They were unlucky that the score line was not much closer and they pushed the loftier-placed home team all the way to the end.

Tabard started well and were unfortunate when they just couldn’t get the final pass out to Harry Smith on the wing.

But Chiswick were a well-organised outfit with a much bigger pack and this came to bear at the first scrum when John Tilley was forced to leave the field.

The first try came after 10 minutes when the hosts put a kick to the corner and despite a valiant effort in defence Tabard were unable to stop them crossing the line.

But Tabard responded immediately after Dan Holmes made a perfectly-timed tackle which dislodged the ball from a Chiswick hand and forced the home side in to conceding a penalty on the ground in front of the posts.

Jack Reilly made no mistake with his kick taking the score to 5-3.

That would be Tabard’s only score but they still offered plenty in attack.

In one move Aron Priscott brushed aside a number of Chiswick defenders and looked for all the world like he was going to make the line from fully 70 metres but he was hauled down just short.

He did get the ball away to Aled Davis but the final pass was adjudged forward.

Tabard kept pushing and the half came to an end after Jack Reilly’s second attempt with a penalty went just wide.

The second period was end-to-end but despite their endeavour, Tabard were unable to add to their score.

That didn’t stop them throwing everything into attack in a brave finale.

The best chance saw Marcus Bunning cut a lovely line inside the Chiswick 22 and when the ball was recycled to Naughton he was tackled just short.

But the effort was applauded by all and shows a rosier future.