Tabard RFC

Tabard 5 Welwyn 12

Tabard put up a brave effort against a side that had got the better of them in the first half of the season and managed to get the first points on the board, but with the conditions affected by the aftermath of Storm Eunice, it wasn’t a day for running rugby and the visitors heavy pack ultimately delivered them the victory.

The home side got off to a good start with Ben Collison on his first team debut making ground down the wing. He was unlucky to be tackled into touch 5 metres out after chasing a chip through from fly half Harry Gough. This allowed Tabard to set up camp in the visitors 22 and a good line out take by Morgan Bunning led to a penalty that Jack Reilly kicked to the corner. Richardson led the drive for the line before Reilly barged over for the opening score. The difficult conditions didn’t help the conversion attempt and Tabard led 5-0 after 25 minutes.

A fumble in mid field by Tabard led to a penalty which was kicked in to the Tabard 22. The visitors set up an attack that was ultimately stopped illegally resulting in Tabard receiving a yellow card. The Tabard defence was good and the home side cleared their lines before the referee saw fit to yellow card a player from both sides after some shenanigans on the floor. With half time approaching, the visitors stretched the home side’s defence and were able to rumble over for converted try taking the score to 5-7.

Conditions worsened in the second half and a clever movement of the ball back outside allowed the visitor’s winger to sprint in for what proved to be the last points of the game. The wind and rain made handling very difficult and despite their best efforts Tabard were unable to find the finishing touch to add to their score and the referee blew for full time with the score Tabard 5 Welwyn 12.

Team: Hancock Jack Calnan Tilley S Gough Richardson Marcus Bunning Morgan Bunning Hurford Kenny H Gough Collison Reilly Joe Calnan King G Gough

Subs: Jennings Quirke Curran