Tabard slipped into the relegation zone for the first time this season after a 48-5 defeat at Eton Manor in London League One North.

The visitors put up a resilient performance in the first half on Saturday, trailing by ten points at the break but they could not sustain the performance and allowed Eton Manor to run in too many tries in the second period.

The game started very competitively and Tabard were slightly on top but Eton Manor were able to open the scoring on 15 minutes after Tabard were penalised for wheeling the scrum and the resulting penalty was kicked over.

Soon after the Eton Manor backs threw the ball wide very quickly, the Tabard cover was outflanked and the Eton hooker was on hand to score the converted try which completed the first-half scoring.

Two minutes into the second period Eton broke round the blind side of a ruck and their flanker crossed the line for another score.

The tries then started to come at regular intervals with two more arriving.

Tabard were still competitive but some promising moves broke down and, after a good period of play, the visitors threw the ball wide but the pass was intercepted and the Eton centre scored to dash their hopes.

A further try from the Eton number eight added to Tabard’s misery but they kept their heads and finally a score came their way. From a ruck, scrum half Harry Gough went down the blind side, wing John Aguila went through and, just as he was dragged down, he passed to centre Gerry Arasa for the try.

Eton had the final say with their last try completing a comprehensive win for the home side.

Tabard entertain Chingford this weekend in their next outing.

In other news, Hannah Casey who played rugby for Tabard Women’s team before moving to Saracens, has been selected for the Irish Ladies Six Nations squad.