Late try leaves Tabs short

London One Tabard 24 Haywards Heath 29 TABARD suffered a blow to their London League One survival hopes when Haywards Heath claimed the points at Cobden Hill on Saturday. Form the start Tabard took the initiative but an early penalty attempt sailed wide and the visitors capitalised to score a try from hooker, Evans. Tabs were now on the defensive and fought well until a strong drive gave Heath prop, Swain, a try which the referee awarded even though the ball looked suspiciously short of the line. The sense of injustice served to spur Tabard on and they had a good period, with number eight Ali Metcalfe having an inspirational game and good runs from the three quarters, especially wing Tom Smith and full back Ferdy Redelinghuys. From all this pressure Tabard deserved to score and they did as wing Mike Thomas made the initial surge, flanker Hayden Buchholz continued the run and his fellow flanker, Aaron Gilbert-Smith completed the move for a good try which stand off Jamie Whelan converted. This was the final score of the half and left Heath with a 10-7 advantage at the break. In the second half Tabard took the lead with an early try after Whelan took a quick penalty and ghosted through the defence to score. He converted his try but the visitors struck back with a score from centre Harris which was converted by stand off Morath to give them a three point lead. Tabard battled back and Whelan slotted a long penalty over to tie the scores but two tries from Heath late on gave them an unassailable advantage. Smith grabbed a fine try for Tabs in response and Whelan converted to make the final score close but ultimately Heath won it 29-24. Tabard go away to Old Colfeians on Saturday for what will be a crunch clash. Tabard: Redelinghuys (Lawlor 57), Smith, Reilly, Gibson, Thomas, Whelan, Rees, Gelman, Gates, Lockwood (Byrne 46), Finnie, Armstrong, Buchholz (Stoba 57), Gilbert-Smith, Metcalfe.