Tabard topple Fullerians

London Two North West

Fullerians 0 Tabard 16

IN a rugged encounter on Saturday, Tabard got the best possible start to their new year with a win over a hard Fullerians side.

After a fairly even start Tabard were the first into their stride and began to put pressure on Fullerians, aided by yet another outstanding performance from their front five who, although lighter than their opponents, managed to get the all important mastery in the set pieces. With this platform to work on Tabard had a wealth of possession and attacked Fullerians incessantly but the defence was up to the task until Fullerians were penalised for going over in the loose and Tabard’s stand off Jack Reilly converted the goal.

Tabard continued to attack the Fullerians line but once again the defence held, stopping the Tabard surges just short on a number of occasions until once again an infringement, this time a high tackle, gave Reilly another penalty to put Tabard six points clear.

Tabard continued with their attacks and Fullerians continued with their dogged defence until they were finally caught enough out of position for Reilly to surge through a defensive lapse for a try in the corner to give Tabard an 11 point lead at half time.

The second half started with Fullerians in the ascendancy, neutralising Tabards scrum superiority with some smart work around the base of the scrum and it was now Fullerians turn to put pressure on Tabard and test the soundness of the Tabard defence. Although the defence held there were some good attacks from Fullerians and in defence Tabard were penalised themselves but the goal kicks drifted wide and Fullerians remained without a score.

Mid-way through the half and almost against the run of play, Tabard scored again. This time from a well won scrum, the ball was passed out to Tryfan Edwards, now playing at stand off. From just inside the Fullerians half Edwards made a searing break that took him nearly through the defence but, as he was mauled down he passed to wing Dan Ashcroft, who timed his incursion into the line with perfection and carried on to touch down for the try.

Although both teams then had their fair share of the game, no further scores came and Tabard were the victors by 16 points to nil.

This Saturday Tabard are at home to UCS Old Boys, kick off 2.15pm.

Tabard: Hopcroft, Jenkins, Arasa, Edwards, Lewis, Reilly (Ashcroft 65), H Gough, B Lake (N Gough 75), Hart, W Lake, Hall, Calnan, Kenney, Stoba, O’Connor.

Other Result – Tabard 2nd XV 31, Hitchin 24.