TABARD scored four tries in under 30 minutes on their way to a comfortable 41-7 win over UCS, as they continued their march towards the league crown.

With just three games left – two against local rivals St Albans and Harpenden – Tabard are nine points ahead of second-placed Hemel Hempstead, having won 17 of 19 games and scoring over 550 points.

Tabard started steadily and it took until the 11th minute to get their first points, Jack Reilly successfully kicking for the posts after UCS were caught offside.

Then came four quick tries.

Cam O’Connor combined with Max Templeman after he received a pass from Dan Ashcroft to dive over the try line. Reilly added the conversion.

The next came when centre Gerry Arasa sprinted through the defence after a period of Tabard pressure. The third was a penalty try after Tryfan Edwards was taken out without the ball when, if he had been allowed to receive the pass, he would have scored. To make up for it Edwards then scored the fourth try, when Tabard attacked down the blind side.

With the flurry of tries over, the game then settled down to Tabard and UCS exchanging attacks and both defending well until, just on the stroke of half time, Tabard scored again. Wilf Lake starting a move in Tabard’s half before releasing Ashcroft who powered over the line. Reilly converted to bring the score to 34-0 at the break.

After the restart UCS played with a lot of heart and scored a converted try.

Tabard now found themselves matched in the scrums and this stymied the scoring although midway through the half Edwards again scythed through the defence for his second try although but for the penalty try, he would have had a hat trick. Reilly converted.

The teams then settled down to playing good entertaining rugby although no further scores came and the final whistle signalled a win for Tabard.

There is no fixture next week with Tabard playing Fullerians away on March 23.