A LAST-GASP penalty denied Tabard a vital win at home to Old Colfeians on Saturday, October 27, and both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils with a 26-26 draw after a tumultous 80 minutes.

However, Tabs' chances were not aided when their flanker, Jag Johal, was controversially sent off just before the break after it was alleged he spat at an opponent.

Tabard started well and within five minutes had taken the lead when scrum half Michael Skinner whipped round the side of a ruck five yards out to dive over befor converting from the touchline moments later.

Colfeians replied with a long penalty from fullback Townsend before Tabard gifted their opposition a further five points when a long pass in the centre was fumbled into the opposition wing's hands and he made no mistake in scoring between the uprights to set up what proved to be an easy conversion.

Colfeians added a penalty soon although Tabard hit back with a score of their own.

Second row Mike Finnie was driven over the line from a clean take in the line-out and again, Skinner added a difficult conversion However, an injury time penalty gave Colfeians a 16-14 lead going into the break.

Playing with only 14 men Tabard took the game to their opponents and Skinner put Tabard seven points clear with three long penalties.

Tabard's continued to threaten and came close to extending their lead through Richard Woodard and Brendan Higgins, who both ran out of support, but Colfieans began to utilise the extra man as they layed siege to the home side's defence.

Colfieans' pressure was rewarded with a second try from Leverington, which was converted to level the scores and although Skinner put Tabard ahead with ten minutes remaining, Colfieans scraped the draw with the dramatic last-gasp injury time penalty.

November 6, 2001 10:30