Tabard RFC

Tabard 20 Hendon 10

This was a tremendously entertaining game played in front of a packed club house where the delayed Christmas lunch, now a Burns lunch, was served to over 90 members and guests, including some from the visiting side, Hendon RFC. The entertainment off the field was provided by a Lone Piper who gave the ‘Address to a Haggis’ along with a suitably attired club President, Ross Hopcroft, who played numerous Scottish ballads and songs on the piano.

The game itself saw this Tabard side grow in confidence, fail to panic and to stick to their game plan which ultimately brought about an impressive victory against a side that had got the better of them in the first half of the season.

Recognition should be given to the leadership and commitment being shown by the two Jacks, Reilly with the backs and Calnan with the forwards, in leading this New Year revival in fortunes for Tabard. Credit also needs to go the coaching team who have got the side playing some excellent rugby.

Tabard’s resolve was tested from the off with Hendon showing a willingness to play with ball in hand but the home side’s defence held out and a they were able to take play upfield. It looked for all the world as though captain Jack Reilly had managed to put early points on the board only for the referee to adjudge a double movement and penalise the home side. Tabard were able to force a penalty but this went just wide of the posts and then Tom King was unlucky not to make more of a promising attack stopped by a late tackle. Hendon however scored first with a penalty in front of the home side’s posts after half an hour of play. Tabard’s response was almost instant with a penalty allowing Reilly to put the ball in to Hendon’s 22. Richardson secured the ball at the line out and set up a maul. The ball was driven on before Tabard scrum half, Harry Gough, saw his chance to break down the blind side. A swivel of the hips and he was in at the corner but was unfortunate with his conversion attempt. This took the score to 5-3 which was how things stood when the referee blew for half time.

The home side were able to stretch the lead with a penalty in front of the posts from the restart but Hendon soon found themselves ahead with a very well executed passage of play when the ball was moved across the backs before they cut through the Tabard defence for a converted try.

Hendon were caught offside which allowed Reilly to put the ball in to the visitor’s 22. The Tabard line out worked perfectly as did the controlled drive for the line which brought a score for second row, Saunders Richardson. Gough was unlucky with his conversion which came back off the post but the score moved back in Tabard’s favour 13-10 with 25 minutes to play. Hendon tested the Tabard defence and were unlucky that a penalty attempt from 35m sailed just wide of the posts. Tabard worked the ball upfield with minutes remaining and a free kick set up Joe Calnan to step his way to the line for a try which was converted by Harry Gough which took the final score to Tabard 20 - Hendon 10.

Team: Thompson Jack Calnan Tilley S Gough Richardson Marcus Bunning Morgan Bunning Kenny H Gough Reilly King Joe Calnan Jennings Smith G Gough

Subs: Hancock, Hurford, Sonner