Tabard bagged three tries as they began the new London North West Three season with a convincing 23-5 home win over newly-promoted Hitchin.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Joshua Bawden in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Joshua Bawden in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Captain Jack Reilly, Tom King and hooker Leo Weinstein on his debut got the scores while the skipper also landed eight points with the boot.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Cameron O'Connor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Cameron O'Connor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

And while there will be areas that need work as well as the disappointment of missing out on a fourth try and subsequent bonus point, those are just minor points in the grand scheme of things and a win straight off the bat will be a huge confidence boost for the Radlett-based rugby club.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Ruiri Shanahan in action for HItchin. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Ruiri Shanahan in action for HItchin. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Tabard were unfortunate not to get points on the board from their very first attack but an offside denied them the five points.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Oliver Chaytor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Oliver Chaytor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Hitchin cleared to touch but Tabard secured the ball and forced the visitors to concede a penalty in front of the posts, meat and drink for Reilly.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Cameron O'Connor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Cameron O'Connor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Hitchin had a much heavier pack and were able to disrupt the home sides scrum, winning a penalty in doing so, but were unable to secure their own ball at the line-out.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Marcus Bunning in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Marcus Bunning in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

And after Aaron Priscott and Cam O'Connor were stopped just short, Reilly picked up and drove over for the first try on 18 minutes.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Marcus Bunning in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Marcus Bunning in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Hitchin attacked from the restart but an interception by O'Connor prevented a score and instead Priscott came away with the ball.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Oliver Chaytor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Oliver Chaytor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

A nasty injury picked up in the tackle ended the game early and forced Tabard into a restructure, scrum-half Kenny moving to number eight and Harry Gough coming on.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - William Evans in action for Hitchin. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - William Evans in action for Hitchin. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Hitchin were hanging on as the home side built the pressure and conceding several penalties before Tabard were able to find Tom King in space on the wing.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Oliver Chaytor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Oliver Chaytor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

He stepped his man and went in at the corner, Reilly's conversion moving the score to 15-0.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Cameron O'Connor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Cameron O'Connor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

King almost added the third but when he was hauled down just short, hooker Weinstein was on hand to burrow over just before half time.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Ryan Arbon in action for Hitchin. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Ryan Arbon in action for Hitchin. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Tabard added to their tally immediately after the restart when Hitchin came in from the side at a ruck in front of the posts.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Liam Kenny in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Liam Kenny in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Reilly easily landed the kick but they couldn't get another and great spirit throughout from Hitchin was finally rewarded with an unconverted try of their own.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Oliver Chaytor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Oliver Chaytor in action for Tabard. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Tabard will look to build on this when they go to Royston on Saturday.

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Ryan Arbon in action for Hitchin. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Ryan Arbon in action for Hitchin. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Ryan Arbon in action for Hitchin. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Ryan Arbon in action for Hitchin. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin . Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin . Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Tabard V Hitchin - Ryan Arbon in action for Hitchin. Picture: Karyn HaddonTabard V Hitchin - Ryan Arbon in action for Hitchin. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)