Tabard battled to an entertaining 35-26 win at UCS Old Boys in London League North West Two.

Despite the poor conditions, the rugby started to flow early and Tabard opened their account with a well-taken try from wing Max Templeman. T

abard recycled the ball quickly and passed down the line with centre Tryfan Edwards creating space before the ball was passed out for the score which stand-off Reilly converted.

Directly from the ensuing UCS kick off, Tabard misred the flight of the ball and fumbled over their own line, enabling the pursuing UCS flanker Bean to touch down for the try. Fly-half Bamford converted and the scores were level again.

Full-back Dan Ashcroft then scored after a UCS clearance was miskicked and Reilly countered before passing to Ashcroft for the try in the corner. Bamford added a penalty for UCS but Reilly replied for Tabard.

Bamford kicked another to bring UCS to within two points before Tabard scored again at the end of the half. This time a lineout drive, from some distance out, kept grinding ominously forward until number eight Cam O’Connor touched down to bring the half-time score to 20-13 in Tabard's favour.

After the turnaround Tabard stretched their lead with a try from wing Jamie Hancock. Bamford kept UCS in the hunt with two further penalty goals but from the kick off, following the second one, Tabard scored again.

This time the clearance kick was charged down by prop Wilf Lake and his twin brother Bill, also following up, dived on the ball for the try which Reilly converted.

Reilly then managed to drop a goal from what must have been the only dry bit of the pitch to stretch Tabard’s lead but UCS were rewarded with a late try from centre Klimov.

There is no league game this weekend and the following week Tabard are at home to Fullerians.