CHARD RUGBY REPORT FOR SATURDAY 1ST MARCH 2008 BY GLYN HUGHES

SOMERSET PREMIER LEAGUE        CHARD 21PTS OLD SULIANS 24PTS

Chard narrowly failed to win this game after a much improved performance in the second half had brought them back into a match they had looked like losing heavily in the opening quarter.
Chard were without their injured skipper Jim Wagstaff and once again had a makeshift but somewhat mature front row. Ben Stead made a welcome return to the bench following injury and youngsters Richard  Mouland, 
Max Gosden and David Lane were again given the opportunity to gain valuable 1st xv experience.
Chard made a disastrous start to the game and were seven points down within minutes of the kick off. Sulians exploited some lacklustre tackling and covering on the Chard left and cruised over for a try under the posts which was duly converted. Chard were really at sixes and sevens in the opening period and it was amazing that somehow or other the Bath side failed to score at least two more tries during this time. In fact the next score came from the boot of Nicholls who punished the visitors with a well struck penalty. It was not surprising however that after 20minutes play Sulians increased their lead with their second try when Chard somehow contrived to again give them the freedom of the pitch and they crossed the Chard line with ease although they did fail to convert the try.
Chard did have an opportunity to score just before the break but lost possession when in a potentially try scoring position. Half time Chard 3prts Sulians 12pts.
Chard had brought Ben Stead on midway during the first half and he and Matt Ousley began to combine well and created a few problems for the visitors and for the first time Chard looked as if they could come back and get something out of the game. However Chard then somehow allowed Sulians to score a spectacular try. The visitors fullback  appeared to be in real trouble on his own line but somehow with no support available from his own side he wriggled free of the tackler and then started an amazing run downfield . He had tremendous pace and left the Chard players in his wake as he raced the whole length of the pitch to score a sensational try which was converted to give his team a 19pts to 3pts advantage. Chard came back strongly and missed a golden opportunity to score when Johnny Porter failed to hold on the the ball following a powerful break from Mark Parsons. Almost immediately  the pace of Gosden did get Chard back into the game when he charged down an attempted clearance kick and scored under the posts. Nicholls converted and also added two more penalties.  The visitors now only led 19 16  and the momentum was with the home side. Once again however Chard made an unforced error and a dropped pass allowed the quick Sulians backs to counter attack and they scored their 4th try of the game in the left hand corner.
In the final ten minutes of the game Chard were virtually camped on the Sulians line and a super unconverted  try from Ben Stead who took the ball at pace put Chard back within sight of victory. Sulians defended as if their lives depended on it and somehow managed to hold out when another Chard try looked certain.
Another disappointing result for Chard who have yet to win in 2008. They can not be faulted for effort particularly in the second half but they were guilty of too many basic errors which rarely go unpunished at this level.
Next Saturday Chard are away at Gordano kick off 2 30 in a Somerset Premier League match.

Dorset and Wilts 2 south  Chard 10pts Wimborne 51pts

Chard were up against it right away and the visitors fullback brought a touch of class to the game which is not often seen at this level. His pace and skill resulted in four early converted tries and despite Chard pulling back tries from Nigel Baker and Mike Duffy they could do little to stem the tide and did well to keep the score to what it was. If only that fullback had not been playing!!

Somerset 3 south         Castle Cary  23pts Chard 7pts

Chard lost winger James Herbert early on and with no replacement they had to play virtually the whole game with only 14men. Neil king scored a converted try for Chard but although competitive throughout Chard never looked like winning the game. Next week Chard are at home to Crewkerne. Ko 2 30pm