Unavailability proved the curse for Tabard as they fell to a 31-3 defeat at home to HAC in London North West Two.

The Radlett-based rugby club were forced to field a rearranged 15 and they were undone by a HAC side who have lost just once so far this year.

Tabard’s efforts could not be faulted, particularly those who stepped up from the second team, but small errors were again to undo all the hard work at critical points of the game.

They did take the lead early on, Jack Reilly with a well-struck penalty after HAC were caught offside.

Another Reilly effort sailed just wide but HAC slowly came back into it and a converted try on 24 minutes put them in front.

Three points followed and the lead was extended to 17-3 by half-time with a quick-tap penalty.

Tabard started the second-half in determined manner with an athletic catch of the restart by second-row Dan Calnan.

That set-up a good attack with the ball being recycled well. But with three players on the ground with injuries, the move petered out and the chance was gone.

A try-saving tackle by Tom King prevented a further HAC score but a yellow card given to Mark Salteras for a deliberate knock on put them under more pressure.

A dropped ball by Tabard led to another converted try for the visitors and a bonus point score, again converted, completed the scoring.

Tabard now lie eighth with a trip to league leaders Belsize Park on Saturday.