London League Two North Staines 50 Tabard 3 TABARD went down to Staines on Saturday but the game was more exciting than the final score suggested. After the game the referee was surprised at the standard of Tabard s play

London League Two North

Staines 50 Tabard 3

TABARD went down to Staines on Saturday but the game was more exciting than the final score suggested.

After the game the referee was surprised at the standard of Tabard's play and commented 'It hardly looked like a game between sides from both ends of the table.' However, despite Tabard's performance they were soundly beaten and this was yet again a heroic performance by a team not strong enough on the day.

For Tabard, centre Michael Thomas had a powerful running game and stand off Jack Reilly was in good form but Staines were able to penetrate the Tabard defence, especially as the game drew to a close.

The game started evenly enough, in fact after the first few minutes Tabard were the better side and it looked like an upset might be in the bag as they converted the early pressure into points with Reilly converting a penalty goal after five minutes.

The game settled into an even affair before Staines fought back and wing Willis was over in the corner.

Tabard lost number eight, Gareth Davies, due to injury and while they were regrouping, Staines added a second try through flanker Silvero. This proved to be the final score in the first half and the teams turned round with Tabard 10-3 down.

Staines extended the lead early in the second half with big second row, Harrison, scoring under the posts to give full back Cornish an easy conversion.

The game settled down again with Tabard creating chances, largely through wing wizard Neil Hopcroft who showed some speed and the craft and penetration of centre Thomas.

The home defence managed to repel the Tabard threat and tries from centre Turner, second row Broadhurst and scrum half Lee, all converted, sealed the points.

Tabard refused to go down without a fight and after a good spell of pressure they looked like scoring a couple of times, with Reilly coming closest but the Staines defence held and Tabard were rounded off their win with two more tries from Willis and Harrison in injury time, Lee converted one, to make the final score 50-3.

Tabard: Fleuren (Wyatt 25), Beadle, Thomas, Ashcroft, Hopcroft, Reilly, Karstel, Long, Baker, Wilkinson, O'Connor, Troyer, Perkins, Stoba, Davies (O'Connell 35).

Next week Tabard have their last game against London Nigerians, kick off 3.00 pm at their Cobden Hill, Radlett ground.