Tabard squandered a first-half lead after losing 36-23 to Harpenden in London Two North West on Saturday.

The visitors got off to a dismal start when a missed tackle resulted in Tabard centre Leon Leonidas touching down under the posts.

After 15 minutes they went further behind when stand-off Jack Reilly, who had earlier converted their try, slotted home a penalty.

Although Tom Sweeney reduced the arrears shortly afterwards with a penalty, another blunder by Harpenden led to Tabard lock Aaron Prescott crashing over for a try, which was again converted by Reilly to extend the hosts’ lead to 17-3.

Just before the break the away team seized back the initiative, and after a series of penalties close to the Tabard try line, the ball was worked wide to left wing Ash Smith who scored under the posts. Sweeney added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 17-10.

Although Reilly kicked another penalty shortly after half time, Harpenden were now starting to click and skipper Michael Goode stormed over for a try.

Two minutes later a quickly taken tap penalty by replacement scrum-half Fred Guliford resulted in winger Ollie Brown touching down for the visitors’ third try, which was converted by Sweeney to take the score to 22-20 in their favour.

The ever reliable Reilly then wrestled back the lead for Tabard with another penalty.

A powerful charge by lock Ed Preston on 70 minutes led to Smith scoring his second try and with it a bonus point. Sweeney again added the extras.

With five minutes left, stand-off Aaron Wilde atoned for an error which had led to Tabard’s second try with a devastating break which ended with centre Nick Childs scoring Harps’ fifth try which ended the hosts’ hopes of claiming a home league victory.