London League Two NW London New Zealand 5 Tabard 31 TABARD took advantage of the brisk wind on Saturday to put themselves 23-0 up at half time before eventually beating London New Zealand by 31-5. In the first half Tabard s stand off, Jack Reilly, used th

London League Two NW

London New Zealand 5 Tabard 31

TABARD took advantage of the brisk wind on Saturday to put themselves 23-0 up at half time before eventually beating London New Zealand by 31-5.

In the first half Tabard's stand off, Jack Reilly, used the wind to full advantage with long probing kicks but it was Tabard's hard working forwards who once again gave Tabard the up front superiority that enabled the Tabard runners to take full advantage, none more so than in the opening try.

Centre Mike Thomas started the move with one of his searing runs up the centre then, as he was stopped, Tabard recycled the ball and full back Steve Jenkins came into the line to create the overlap and score the try.

Reilly converted and then, as the New Zealanders rallied, Reilly kept the score board ticking over with three penalties, two from long range.

Just before half time Tabard scored again.

This time number eight, Scott Stoba, picked up at the base of a scrum about 20 metres out, he fed scrum half Andy Murphy, who then powered through the defence for the try which Reilly converted to bring up the half time score of 23 points to nil.

In the second half it was Tabard's turn to go on the defensive as the wind made it difficult to get out of their own half.

In fact Tabard defended remorselessly for 25 minutes without conceding a score.

At this time everyone tackled hard and there were no defensive errors but Reilly and flanker Cam O'Connor just took the honours with try saving tackles between them.

Although Tabard had failed to kick out of their own half Reilly, close to the Tabard line, fed Jenkins, who then went on a searing run up the touchline before trying to run round the defence and being shoulder charged inside the opposition 22 metre line.

Reilly converted the ensuing penalty to put Tabard 26 points ahead with 15 minutes remaining.

Although the New Zealanders again attacked, Tabard once again got close to their opponents try line and, from clean scrummage ball, wing Joe Cunningham came into the attack and he surged through the defence for the try.

London New Zealand again attacked Tabard hard and, in the dying minutes, sheer persistence eventually saw them through Tabard's defensive wall and their fullback, Lang, touched down to bring up the final tally with Tabard winning by 31 points to five.

Tabard's win puts them four points clear at the top of the table but third-placed Hampstead will prove a hard side when Tabard play them at their Cobden Hill, Radlett, ground next Saturday, kick off 2.15 pm.

Tabard: Jenkins, Dixon, Thomas, Murphy K, Cunningham, Reilly, Murphy A, Lake B, O'Neill, Colette, Kidd, Barrow, O'Connor, Miller and Stoba.