CHARD RUGBY CLUB
MATCH REPORTS FOR SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2007
FROM GLYN HUGHES
With a host of players unavailable Chard did well to honour all three of their league games on Saturday even though two of the sides had to play without the full complement of players.

SOMERSET PREMIER LEAGUE      TOR 7PTS  CHARD 38PTS
With Wells losing at Winscombe Chard went to the top of the table with this their fifth consecutive league win.
This really was an excellent performance by Chard all be it against a surprisingly lack lustre Tor side. Chard have rarely won on their visits to Glastonbury and to do so so comprehensively reflected a very good all round team effort, especially when you consider that they went into the game without several so called regular players.
Chard were on top straight from the kickoff and won a penalty kick right in front of the posts in the opening seconds but spurned the chance of three points and opted to go for a try instead. They got the ball into touch, won the lineout and drove over for a well worked try scored by Jon Hendy. Nicholls narrowly missed the conversion but Chard were off to a great start. After eight minutes play Chard increased their lead with a fine try coming from winger James Herbert. Jamie Adams who was excellent throughout for Chard won clean lineout ball and the ball sped down the back  line before skipper Wagstaff who had moved to the centre for this game  linked well with Ben King before putting Herbert away to score in the right hand corner. Nicholls who was another Chard player to shine throughout and would  be a strong candidate for man of the match landed the conversion from the touchline to put Chard 12pts clear. At this stage Tor had little to offer and they had to defend desperately to keep Chard at bay. The much changed Chard back division were giving a good account of themselves and were just trying to do the simple things well.
Tor held out until  for half an hour but they were finding lineouts difficult to cope with and once again Chard punished them when another good take from Adams was driven over and Robin 'Bushy' Singleton scored his second try of the season. Nicholls converted and Chard had the points that their superiority deserved.
Chard have a habit of scoring right on half time and they did so again in this game.A long kick down field put Tor in trouble and being unable to clear they were forced to take the ball over their own line and touch down. From the resultant five metre scrum Nicholls nipped round on the narrow side and scored in the corner for Chards fourth try of the half to give his side a 24pt advantage.
In the second half Tor upped their game considerably and although Chard were by far the better side overall the game was more of a contest. Hendy made one lovely break but was tackled just short of the line,Tor got on the scoresheet after twenty eight minutes of the half when John Mullins went over for a well worked try converted by Cheeko. This failure to keep a cleansheet spurred Chard into action and they raised their game considerably. Wagstaff coasted the home defence  to score under the post and the lively Hendy well supported by fellow front row forward Chris Bond went over for Chards 6th and his 2nd try of the game. Nicholls converted both tries and Chard ran out very comfortable winners.
SOMERSET 3 SOUTH              WELLINGTON 7PTS  CHARD 48PTS
Chard played one short throughout and during the game lost two other players thus finishing with just 12 players. However the mixture of youth and experience was too much for the more mature home side and Chard were comfortable winners. Rob Hall was outstanding in the Chard front row and Sam Johnstone was a revelation with his pace and enthusiasm. Tries for Chard were shared between  Johnstone,Tom Hartle, Andy McKerrow,Jon King Danny Crabb and Tom Richardson with Mckerrow getting 4 conversions
DORSET AND WILT 2 SOUTH     SHERBORNE 65PTS CHARD 5PTS
Chard felt the impact of so many players not being available and were not surprisingly well beaten as they played the game with only 12 players. Nigel Baker was the Chard try scorer.

NEXT SATURDAY CHARD FIRST XV ARE AWAY AT MINEHEAD IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE NATIONAL SENIOR VASE CUP .The other sides have a week off from league rugby.
All members and friends of the rugby club are reminded that the club house is open next Saturday for Carnival night and to watch the world cup semi-final between England and France. Hot food will be available