Tabard slip to second successive defeat

London league 1 North

Tabard 17 Brentwood 36

IN ANOTHER disappointing game at Cobden Hill on Saturday, Tabard just did not have the cohesiveness required to keep a strong Brentwood side at bay, as, after leading at half time Tabard eventually succumbed to a 36-17 defeat.

There is no doubt that the number of injuries forcing Tabard to field a different team each week is causing this lack of cohesiveness and also allowing the normally solid defence to falter but, in scoring three tries Tabard showed they have the required flair, especially in the three-quarters, but in the end Brentwood got the better of them.

Brentwood started fast and it looked as though they would get an early score but they were penalised and, from the ensuing line out the ball was well won, centre Tryfan Edwards nearly got through, the ball was re-cycled to full-back Neil Hopcroft coming into the line who fed wing Matty Roberts for the score after just six minutes.

This then led to some good rugby from both sides, without error, and it was 23 minutes before the first scrum.

With the game going from end to end it was Tabard who made the most mistakes and three penalties for Brentwood by stand-off Whitehead, gave them the lead by nine points to five. Then in first half injury time a period of Tabard pressure was rewarded with a try. The ball was re-cycled in the middle of the field giving Tabard the option to go either way, stand-off Jack Reilly took the right option and made the initial break before feeding No.8, Scott Stoba for the try.

Ten minutes into the second half the Brentwood prop, Bevans-Royston put his side ahead with a try following a scrum and a little later another penalty put Brentwood seven points clear. This was quickly followed by another Brentwood try from second row King.

The game then settled down with both sides not looking like scoring again until, with seven minutes to go Tabard, who were taking too many chances in trying to win, let the ball go loose and the Brentwood centre Abbott penalised the error with a try which Whitehead converted.

Tabard then re-kindled their hopes with another try. This time attacking from deep it looked like they were stopped just short but second row Darren Kidd wheedled his way over for the try which Reilly converted.

Unfortunately, once again, running the ball out of defence Tabard committed an error and Abbott was again on hand to complete the scoring and leave Tabard.

Next week Tabard have another tough game away to Thurrock, kick off 3pm.

On the following Saturday, October 22, for Tabard’s game against Stevenage, the new CEO of the RFU, John Steele and other RFU dignitaries will be coming to Tabard to watch.

Tabard: Hopcroft, Thomas, Cunningham, Edwards, Roberts, Reilly, Van der Vlught, B Lake, Hart, W Lake, Miller, Kidd, O’Connor, Stingu (Calnan 45m), Stoba.