Seven-point defeat for Cobden Hill outfit

London League 2 North West

Hemel Hempstead 27 Tabard 20

IN another disappointing day for Tabard their defence once again let them down and they found themselves defeated at Hemel Hempstead in a game they could so easily have won.

The scene was set right from the kick off, Tabard were slow to react from their own kick off and Hemel ran the ball at them down the hill to completely outflank the cover and the Hemel No.8, Morgan, went over in the corner.

From this disastrous start Tabard had to pull themselves together and they started to take the game to their opponents but the Hemel defence was sound and Tabard had to work their way slowly up the field before, from a line out close in they were able to set up a drive and wing Rhys Lewis came in fast to take the ball over the line.

The game then settled down to an even affair but once again Hemel outflanked the Tabard defence and their second row, Meddiman, crossed the whitewash in the corner. Tabard retaliated however and, in first half injury time, stand off Tryfan Edwards went over following a great run by Lewis, to level the scores at 10-10 at the break.

The second half should have belonged to Tabard. For the majority of the time they had plenty of possession but this was not converted to enough points.

Ten minutes into the half Tabard took the lead with a try from flanker Scott Stoba, after an elusive run by wing Stephen Jenkins. Replacement stand-off Jack Reilly converted to put Tabard seven points ahead. Once again however, Tabard let themselves down.

An error at the back gave Hemel a lineout from which they again moved the ball wide for wing Willoughby to touch down wide out.

Tabard replied almost directly after with a penalty from Reilly and then they watched as Willoughby came through the centre this time to touch down under the posts before adding the conversion to put Hemel two points ahead.

This was the signal for Tabard to try and get the lead back but they failed to capitalise on their chances and then, in the dying minutes Willoughby outflanked the Tabard defence yet again to score his third try to give Hemel a seven point victory.

Next week Tabard are at their Cobden Hill, Radlett, home to Welwyn, kick off 2.15 pm.

Tabard: Hopcroft, Jenkins, Sloane, Arasa, Lewis, Edwards, H Gough (Reilly 40), Lake, Hart, N Gough (McKenzie 37), Calnan, Hall, Ruston (Barrow 37), Stoba, O’Connor.

On Sunday Tabard fielded two women’s teams for the first time. The 1st XV lost 25-0 to Romford and Gidea Park but the 2nd XV beat Hampstead by 29-5.