Tabard produced a spirited performance to defeat rivals Old Haberdashers 18-3 in London Two North West on Saturday.

The hosts looked to be getting back to their old selves with the scrums holding up well, the lineout functioning efficiently and a high work rate across the pitch, despite being shorn of several players through a combination of unavailability and injuries.

Tabard started strongly and had Haberdashers pinned in their own half for the first 20 minutes of the game. Tabard’s handling deserted them when it mattered until Rhys Lewis made decent ground down the left-hand touchline.

He was well supported by blindside flanker Marcus Bunning who was on hand to collect a well-timed inside pass and crash over for Tabard’s opening score. Bunning was named man-of-the-match for his excellent display and tireless running.

Despite plenty of enterprise from both sides there were no further points scored in the first half and the teams turned round with the score 5-0.

The work ethic was vital to Tabard securing victory against a Haberdashers side desperate to gain bragging rights in the local derby.

Tabard’s defence held up and Jack Reilly put Tabard further ahead with a well-taken penalty at the start of the second half. Haberdashers scored one of their own ten minutes later to take the score to 8-3.

The home side were reduced to 14 men after a red card was shown following a high tackle on Tabard stand-off Reilly.

This galvanised Tabard who scored almost immediately when Tom King went over in the corner. Reilly added the conversion and he scored his second penalty to round off the win.

Tabard had to withstand an onslaught from Haberdashers and were grateful to Reilly, Jack Girdlestone and Nicholas Westaway for try-saving tackles.