Edwards and Van der Vlugt on song for Tabard

London League North 1

Stevenage 0 Tabard 29

TABARD kept their heads when playing into the second half wind on Saturday and were rewarded with a much needed victory over fellow strugglers Stevenage.

Ably assisted by two tries from stand-off Tryfan Edwards and scrum-half Chris Van der Vlugt who got a personal tally of 14 points.

Tabard started with the wind on their backs and this inspired them to play good handling rugby and they were quickly into their stride. Very quickly Edwards had made a searing upfield break and, although he ran out of support, the break was a precursor of the way Tabard were to play the game.

Tabard’s first reward for the early pressure was a penalty kicked by Van der Vlugt after Stevenage were penalised for going over the top. Van der Vlugt then got Tabard’s first try. A break by Edwards saw the forwards mauling virtually on the Stevenage line and Van der Vlugt picked up and went over.

Hoping to capitalise on this early lead Tabard were thwarted when a solo try run in down the wing, from Jason Davis, was disallowed for a foot in touch.

Stevenage also pulled themselves back into the game and Tabard had to be content with a 10 point lead at half time.

In the second half it looked as though Stevenage would master the conditions and they had Tabard pinned back on their line for the opening minutes but the ball was turned over by Tabard in the maul and Van der Vlugt broke clear to run two thirds the length of the pitch. In stopping him Stevenage infringed and Edwards broke clear from the ensuing short penalty for a terrific try. Van der Vlugt converted.

Tabard now kept their heads and the ball, by good forward rucking as well as intelligent line out play and, best of all, in the tight scrums where Tabard more than pushed their weight and took several balls against the head. With sensible running and handling all round Tabard kept possession into the wind and eventually, the rewards came as Edwards again worked his magic and this time the gap opened in front of him for a great try under the posts giving Van der Vlugt an easy conversion.

Finally, Davis made up for not getting his first half try when the ball was passed quickly through the hands of prop Wilf Lake, centre Henry Mitchell and finally to Davis who beat the defence on the outside for the bonus point try.

Tabard: Jenkins, Davis, Murphy, Mitchell, Roberts, Edwards, Van der Vlugt, W Lake, Hart, B Lake, O’Connor, Calnan, Stingu (Hasll 65), Matheson, Stoba.

Other result: Tabard 2nd XV 102 Grammarians 5 in the Merit Table.