In an untidy game on Saturday, not helped by the blustery conditions and later on heavy rain, Tabard proved the better side away at Diss and were rewarded with a 21-10victory.

Tabard started the better, despite the long pre-match journey, but some early handling errors let them down. However, they still managed to open the scoring in the 12 minute from a lineout drive. Cam O’Connor dotted down.

Despite playing into the wind, Diss pulled themselves back into the game and had some good periods but the Tabard defence held firm.

Stand off Jack Reilly put the ball between the uprights for the three points to extend Tabard’s lead before Diss replied with a penalty of their own.

The hosts started the second half with a flurry but an attack out wide faltered when they fumbled the ball and Tabard’s full back, Elliot Hurrell, took full advantage by pursuing the ball, hacking it onwards and gathering to run in an opportunist try.

However, with the wind helping Diss, it was inevitable that they would put the pressure on Tabard and, after a period near the try line, they went over from a short penalty to bring the hosts to within three points.

The gap was quickly widened again, however, with another penalty from Reilly just as the game entered the final quarter.

With the conditions deteriorating fast, Diss looked as though they may get back into the game but Tabard continued to play sensibly and, with 10 minutes to go they put the game further from the opponents with another try from a lineout drive, this time Scott Stoba touching down.

Starting line-up: Elliot Hurrell, Jermaine Ijieh, Joe Calnan, Gerald Arasa, John Aguila, Jack Reilly, Liam Kenny, Bill Lake, Jamie Hancock, Jack Girdlestone, Sam Barrow, Cam O’Connor, Dan Calnan, Scot Stoba and Aaron Pristcott. Replacements: Wilf Lake, Shane Austin and George Stevens.

Next week Tabard play Westcliff, at their Radlett home, in a re-arranged fixture, kick off 2.30pm.