Tabard RFC

Finsbury Park 5 Tabard 13

Tabard were worthy winners of this hard fought contest played out in chilly conditions on a pitch that resembled an Irish bog in places. The state of the ground made a fast game very difficult for both sides but Tabard’s discipline in sticking to their game plan paid off and delivered a well deserved victory.

The home side adjusted quicker to the difficult conditions and put Tabard under pressure for the opening fifteen minutes. Tabard’s defence was tested but held firm and after twenty minutes a committed counter ruck by Tabard forced the home side in to infringing which allowed Jack Reilly to drive the ball up field. Tabard secured their ball at the line out and a promising attack was stopped illegally. Unfortunately, the attempt at three points went just wide. Finsbury Park were able to create a bit of mayhem in the Tabard defence and a loose kick out of defence set up the home side to crash over for what proved to be their only points of the game after 30 minutes of play.

Tabard were clearly finding their way back in to the game and a chip through by the hosts was comfortably collected by Joe Calnan who set up Smith to make some good ground down the wing. The ball went to the assured looking Tom King before Reilly tried to drive over. He was stopped short, as was Marcus Bunning before scrum half Harry Gough dived over. His own conversion moved the visitors in front with just minutes of the first half remaining. Stanley Gough fielded the kick off and set up Tabard to take play in to the home side’s half, forcing them in to committing another penalty that Harry Gough comfortably converted and the referee blew for half time with the score 5-10.

Finsbury Park came out looking to put points on the board but a determined defensive effort kept them out but it came at the cost of a yellow card shortly after the restart. Tabard were able to keep out the hosts who conceded possession through a knock on which allowed Jack Reilly to take play up to half way. A penalty allowed Tabard to build a good looking attack.   However, it was stopped illegally which allowed Harry Gough to add to his tally with another excellent kick at goal with 15 minutes remaining. Tabard looked like they were in for another try but good defence set up the hosts to break from under their own posts. A scrambled defence by Tabard stopped what looked like a certain try and good defence allowed Tom King to latch on to a dropped ball and fly hack up to half way. Tabard finished the game the stronger of the two sides, Naughton was unlucky to be stopped just short, before Jack Reilly put the ball in touch to bring the game to a conclusion with the score 5-13.

Team: Thompson Jack Calnan Tilley S Gough Sanders Marcus Bunning Morgan Bunning Kenny

H Gough Reilly Naughton Joe Calnan King Smith G Gough

Subs: Westaway Price Caulfield