London Two North Tabard 14 London Nigerians 39 TABARD S long season came to an end on Saturday with yet another London North Two defeat, this time inflicted by London Nigerians.

London Two North

Tabard 14 London Nigerians 39

TABARD'S long season came to an end on Saturday with yet another London North Two defeat, this time inflicted by London Nigerians.

With both sides already relegated, the game was expected to lack sparkle but both sides scored some good tries. The decisive factor for Nigerians was the extra penetration of their three quarters.

Nigerians quickly opened the scoring with a penalty from stand off Small, before centre Wole carved through the Tabard defence to make it 8-0.

The Tabard forwards performed with distinction in the tight scrums but Nigerians made better use of less possession and Small set up centre Shelleng for the next try.

Tabs hit back when centre Richard Woodard intercepted close to his own line and ran virtually the length of the field before finding wing Dan Ashcroft for the try which stand off Reilly converted.

Wole had the final say in the first half with a score deep in injury time to leave Tabs 20-7 adrift at the break.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with Tabard winning good ball but failing to capitalise and Nigerians using their three quarters to good effect in the ideal running conditions.

Nigerians went further ahead with another try from Wole, followed by one from Shelleng again and then finally second row Obikwe completed their scoring.

Tabard still had some fight however and centre Michael Thomas ran a short penalty through the defence before feeding Woodard for the score which Reilly converted. Tabard then had further chances with Thomas making another scintillating break but just getting caught and full back Daniel Nansoz just missing out after a kick and chase but there were no further scores and Tabard's season ended on a low note.

Tabard have now gone from National league rugby back to the league they started in 1987 in the space of four years. With rugby now a professional sport and Tabard devoid of any major sponsors the next few seasons are going to be tough indeed for the Radlett based side.

Tabard: Fleuren (Nansoz 60), Beadle, Thomas, Woodard, Ashcroft, Reilly, Karstel, Wilkinson, Baker, Long, O'Connor, Crocker, Troyer, Stoba, O'Connell.

Tabard host the Herts County 7s with sides from across the country taking part in the prestigious event at Cobden Hill, Radlett on Sunday, May 18.