Tabard suffered a 15-10 defeat at Hammersmith and Fulham in London Two North West on Saturday.

The Tabard pack saw the welcome return of Wilf Lake in the front row which helped shore up the scrummage and provide a stable platform for the backs to work off.

Third-placed Hammersmith had the lion’s share of the play in the first half and were kept out by a great defensive effort by Tabard and through the home side’s inability to finish off a move.

It took the yellow carding of Tabard flanker Toby Davies to break the deadlock, his penalty offence allowing the home fly-half to kick them into the lead.

Tabard’s reduction in numbers was exploited to the full by the home side as they scored their first try when their full-back went over at the corner.

The hosts extended their grip on the contest when centre Tony Bryant collected a loose kick and scored under the post. The conversion stretched their lead to 15-0.

Tabard were under the cosh from the restart and were lucky that Hammersmith ran out of ideas in the opening minutes of the second half and chipped the ball through only for it to be touched down for a 22 drop out.

The visitors started their fightback when Tabard were given the put in at the scrum and Liam Kenny, playing at scrum half, showed great strength to shrug off the Hammersmith tacklers and barge over for a try. Jack Reilly added the extra two points to keep the pressure on the hosts.

After Hammersmith conceded six penalties in a row their number eight was carded for persistent offences.

Reilly added the penalty but Tabard could not score any more points and had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Tabard’s next game is on Saturday when they host Enfield Ignatians.