Tabard started the year with a much-needed 24-7 win at rivals Old Merchant Taylors’ in London Two North West on Saturday.

Fly-half Jack Reilly enjoyed a 100 per cent return with the boot, kicking three conversions and one penalty in landing nine valuable points for the visitors as they climbed away from the relegation zone.

The opening score of the game came when Tabard drove forward and Cameron O’Connor forced his way over the line in the 20th minute for the converted try.

But OMT scored against the run of play when the visitors' defence was unpicked and their full-back beat three tackles to score under the posts. The conversion squared the match at 7-7 but that was as good as it got for the home side.

OMT were temporarily reduced to 14 men when their number eight was sent to the sinbin for coming in from the side.

Tabard replacement Dan Calnan drove forward and set up Jonny Aquila for their next attack. The ball was worked out to O’Connor and he raced clear to score his second try of the contest which helped give them a seven-point lead at the break.

The visitors' dominance was eventually rewarded in the second half when a break from James Thornton led to a penalty which was easily kicked over by Reilly to stretch their lead.

Tabard scored their third try when the ball found its way to replacement Nick Woolley. O'Connor created space for Woolley and he raced through the gap to cross the line.

Despite pushing for a bonus-point try, Tabard were unable to find a fourth score but it was still a welcome start to 2015.

Tabard's next match is this weekend when they travel to Staines.

It capped a good weekend for the club with the development side beating St Albans 17-10 and the ladies winning 29-5 against Harlow.