Joy finally returned to Tabard Rugby Club after a 19-15 win over Enfield Ignatians giving the Radlett club only their second league success this year – and the second team chipped in with a win against Berkhamsted too.
The first team’s victory may only delay the inevitability of relegation from London North West Two but that doesn’t matter.
It is a just reward for a side that have never thrown in the towel despite some tough results this season and will be a massive shot in the arm in terms of self-belief and confidence.
They did it the hard way, having trailed 12-6 at half-time, but that just makes the success even sweeter.
They got off to a good start when early pressure forced the visitors to concede a penalty and captain Jack Reilly thumped the ball between the uprights.
Reilly added a second penalty on 15 minutes when winger Tom King was stopped unfairly in his tracks and that was enough to give Tabard the lead once again following Enfield’s opening score of an unconverted try.
A further try from the visitors was converted on 25 minutes to end the scoring for the half but not the action.
A quick break following good work at the breakdown by Teddy Gough saw Liam Gallagher race up the line. He was stopped well but a penalty conceded in the tackle allowed Reilly another shot at three points.
Unfortunately that drifted wide.
But Tabard were still very much in the contest and whatever was said at the interval by coach Cameron O’Connor only helped to galvanise their belief.
Fine work by Teddy and Harry Gough allowed Aaron Priscott to break two tackles and barge over for a great try with Reilly’s kick putting Tabard back in front.
That lead didn’t last long though as a penalty from the restart gave the visitors the advantage once more.
Reilly had another kick at goal which went wide but he made no mistake when Enfield were penalised for not rolling away.
Good work by King won another penalty and Reilly stretched the lead to four.
And the captain had the last word as a wonderful turnover stopped Enfield from stealing the win and with the ball cleared the celebrations could start.
Tabard are back at Cobden Hill for their next game, against Hammersmith & Fulham on March 3.
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