TABARD RFCpowered their way to an impressive 39-15 win over Basingstoke at Cobden Hill in the National League Division Three South on Saturday thanks to a fine performance from the forwards, inspired by Mark Sharp, who grabbed a brace of tries.

However, the Tabard three-quarters also more than played their part in the win, as stand-off Rob Colborne kept the visitors constantly under pressure with his positional kicking from hand.

In fact, it was a ground-hugging grubber kick from Colborne that gave wing Simon Valentine Tabard's opening try in the fourth minute; Valentine gathering 20 metres out and sprinting over with Colborne adding the conversion.

There then followed a period of Tabard dominance culminating in Sharp's first try after a forward surge from a line-out with Colborne again slotting over the extra points.

After being stunned by the early onslaught, Basingstoke rallied, but, despite enjoying some pressure, could only muster three points from Calder for their efforts.

On the stroke of half-time, Tabard's forwards again caused chaos in the Basingstoke 22 when second rows Steve Lane and Mark Finnie combined well at the line-out to put prop Richard Broham over, although Calder immediately replied with a penalty to reduce the gap to 13 going into the break.

Another Calder penalty pulled the visitors right back into the match, although, vitally, Colborne replied with two penalties of his own to give Tabard a bit of breathing space.

A fourth Calder penalty kept the visitors in touch before Tabard stepped up a gear in the closing stages to clinch the points. Following another drive from the dominant Tabard line-out, the ball was spun wide to winger Brendan Higgins who raced into the corner. Colborne was again on target with the extras.

Calder completed a personal tally of 15 points after another well-struck penalty although it was the hosts who were to have the final word.

A deep penalty to touch from Colborne set up the line-out and Shape simply powered over for his second try of the day, with Colborne converting.