Tabard again found the gap between divisions difficult to surmount as an efficient Eton Manor side were given just too much room to manoeuvre and were able to run up 32 points to which Tabard only managed 12 in reply.

The game was hard fought and Tabard acquitted themselves well although their line out was not as effective as usual but Eton Manor were just the better side in attack and hence the victory margin. In fact, Tabard were caught flat footed early on when the Eton fullback broke upfield and, although he was brought down, Eton re-cycled quickly and their number 8, Tucker, crawled round the defence to touch down for the try which was awarded. Stand off Woollard added the conversion and Eton were seven points up inside five minutes.

Although Tabard fought back Woollard stretched the lead with a penalty when Tabard were caught off side but Tabard were still fighting and their reward came with a try from wing Elliot Hurrell. The initial move was started by second row Sam Barrow, he was stopped but Tabard re-cycled quickly, stand off Jack Reilly made space and fed Hurrell for the score. Reilly converted and Tabard were within three points. The half then continued with both sides fighting hard but Eton looked strong and only some try saving tackles, especially one by fullback Max Templeman, kept them out so the teams turned round with Eton Manor leading by 10 points to seven.

The second half again started well for Eton when the ball was passed quickly out after Tabard had been turned over virtually from the restart and the Eton wing, Ross went over in the corner. Another penalty from Woollard stretched the Eton lead before their fullback capitalised on pressure and went over for the try which Woollard converted. Eton’s final try came after Eton broke upfield following Tabard losing their own ball at the line out and the defence was not in position. The move was completed by Tucker and Woollard converted.

Tabard still had some fight and, with 10 minutes to go, they ran a penalty close in and second row, Cam O’Connor, made the initial ground before passing to flanker Tom Davies for the score. This was Tabard’s last fling however and they ended up losing by 32 points to 12.

Team: Templeman, Hurrell, Calnan, Stevens, Ashcroft, Reilly, Gough, Lake, Gates, Girdlestone, O’Connor, Barrow, Calnan, Davies and Stoba. Replacements: Webber, Westaway and Thornton.

Next week Tabard travel to Chingford, kick off 3:00 pm.