Tabard lost 22-16 to Teddington in the Intermediate Cup at the weekend.

The visitors had a lot of possession against Teddington but they were unable to convert this into points and ended up losing in a close and absorbing game.

Tabard had to play the second half into the wind, which strengthened after the turnaround, and they were also playing uphill.

Hosts Teddington used the slope in the pitch to good affect during the match.

The game started with both sides exchanging early penalties through Tabard’s scrum-half Harry Gough and Teddington’s full-back Boyling.

The game settled down after this and Tabard were enjoying superiority in the set pieces, despite the greater size of the Teddington front five.

The hosts’ backs showed considerable pace when they were in possession and this led to their first try.

Winger Dixon chased a long kick ahead and won the race for the touchdown in the corner before Boyling converted. Just at the end of the first quarter Tabard scored a fine try of their own.

Number eight Cam O’Connor picked up the ball at the base of the scrum, fed Gough and he then passed to full-back Neil Hopcroft, who came into the line at pace to score.

Gough converted and also added another penalty later to bring the half time score to 13-10 in Tabard’s favour. Teddington scored very quickly after the break when stand-off Manley kicked over the Tabard defence and raced through to touch down for the try.

Tabard found themselves gaining a lot of possession from both the loose and tight play but they were unable to capitalise on all their possession.

And they were left to pay as a break by Teddington saw forward Lonergan touch down for their final and all-important try, converted by Boyling.

Tabard continued to battle and chase a way back into the game but it was in vein.

The only reward was a penalty by Gough and Tabard ended up crashing out of the competition.

Tabard are back in action at home to Grasshoppers at the weekend.