CHARD RUGBY REPORT FOR SATURDAY 12TH APRIL 2008 FROM GLYN HUGHES

SOMERSET PREMIER DIVISION

CHARD 1ST XV   51PTS  WELLS 1STXV 20PTS

Chard completed their home league fixtures with a stunning display against a Wells side who had enjoyed a huge win in the Somerset Vase Final last week. Chard  have had a lean time since the turn of the new year with long term injuries and  unavailability affecting their performances. They have lost against sides  they were beating earlier in the season. Up and coming players have been given their chance and on Saturday the team clicked and the players and coaches had their just reward for the effort that has gone in.
For Wells it was clearly a case of 'after the Lord Mayors show!'
The large crowd  including the club vice presidents who had enjoyed hospitality in the clubhouse prior to the game  witnessed Chard getting off to the best possible start. After only two minutes Alan Henley took a quick penalty linked up with Johnny Porter who in turn passed to  Ben Stead  who raced over for a try converted by Paul Nicholls.  Chard were well on top  but were shaken when the Wells centre John Allen made a lovely break to score a try under the posts which Aaron Cook converted. Allen had scored four tries in last weeks final and was clearly a player to be watched.
Chard continued to be on top however and centres Matt Ousley and Stead who were outstanding throughout the game linked well together and Ousley went over for Chards second try. Chards third try was without doubt the best try scored  by any side at Chard this season and it really was as good a try as you would see anywhere. Chard moved the ball well from deep in their own half and it appeared as if every Chard player was involved in a wonderful bout of handling  that ended with  winger Ben King getting the final pass and scoring wide out on the right.
Despite dominating the game Chard were guilty of giving away penalty kicks which was not the best idea against a side with such a fine kicker and Cook added two penalties for Wells before the break so  Chard only led 17 10 at the break.
Chard totally controlled the second half and immediately increased their lead when their dominant pack of forwards drove Wells relentlessly backwards and Mark Parsons got the touch down for Chards fourth try. Nicholls again could not add the extras but he was successful with a penalty goal shortly afterwards. Wells came back strongly but when in a good attacking position they dropped the ball. Stead kicked on and he and Porter raced down field after the ball. Wells appeared to have won the race but the ball popped up nicely for Porter who scored a converted try under the posts.
Wells were now getting agitated and a poor clearance kick dropped into the arms of Stead  who sliced through the visitors defence to score again. A converted try from Ousley took the score to over forty points.
Youngsters Tom Frecknall and Matt Tinley were having good games for Chard with Frecknall in the front row being particularly impressive. He was aided by the return to the team of Neil King who showed he has still plenty to offer.
Another converted try from Ousley took Chard past the fifty mark before which Wells had scored through prop Alex Symonds.

The 2nd and 3rd xv games against Tor and Salisbury were called off with the opposition being unable to raise a side.
Chard were particularly upset with Salisbury who did not even bother to contact the club so a full team and a referee were left chasing shadows.

Ian Longman was the major winner in the draw held at the club on Saturday.

Next Saturday Chard complete their season with a 1st xv game in the Somerset Premier league at
Bath side  Stothert and Pitt and a game in Somerset 3 south away against Wells. Both games kicking off at 3pm.