CHARD RUGBY REPORTS FOR SATURDAY 17TH MARCH 2007
BY GLYN HUGHES

SOMERSET PREMIER LEAGUE

CHARD 17PTS   AVON   5PTS

Both sides had to contend with very blustery conditions which made kicking and handling quite difficult. Avon had the gale behind them in the opening half but failed to use it particularly well and also missed two fairly straight forward penalty attempts.
Avon had a very strong front row and gave Chard a lot to cope with throughout in the set scrums but they lacked mobility and Chard would use this to their advantage. Skipper Wagstaff back to his favoured position at number 8 and Nicholls at scrum half  helped to defuse the strength in the Avon pack by dealing very well with awkward ball at the base of the scrum and Chard began to dominate the game.
After 25mins Avon missed a penalty goal and Chard took the resultant 22metre drop out quickly , re-gathered the ball and swiftly put together a fine string of passes before  centre Matt Ousley broke clear and scored in the corner. Against the wind Nicholls not surprisingly failed to add the conversion.
Avon came back immediately to level the scores when they worked the ball off the back of a scrummage and went over for an equalising unconverted try.
The Chard forwards were playing much better in loose play and following a very productive drive into the visitors 22 Jordon Issacs got the ball and went over for an unconverted try to put Chard up by 10pts to 5 at the break.
Chard had the advantage of the wind in the second half and Issacs made several telling breaks only to spoil things with some wayward final passes.
On the hour Chard took a decisive lead and it was appropriate that skipper Wagstaff would get the score. Issacs had made another good break and left with a two on one situation fed Wagstaff who went in under the posts. Nicholls added the conversion to put Chard 12pts clear.
Avon had some  very strong powerful forwards  but Chard were without doubt the better side and coach Pete Harrison thought that they were well worth their win and could well have won by a bigger margin. The youngsters in the backs are improving with every game and put in some crunching tackles.
Next Saturday Chard will face their biggest test of the season when they come face to face with champions elect
Old  Redcliffians. This game is at home with a 2.30pm kick off

Wellington 2nd xv 77pts Chard 2nds 7pts

Chard travelled to Wellington with only one replacement so as not to put the 3rdxv game in doubt and unfortunately they lost the services of scrum half Finn O’brien in the opening minutes of the game and as they were already playing without a recognised flyhalf they were forced to play the whole game without proper half backs. Wellington were a big strong outfit and the Chard side were up against it throughout and suffered a bit of a battering . Wellington scored three very early tries to take control and never looked back. They did lose a player late in the game for serious foul play but there was never any doubt about the result. Wallis scored a consolation try for Chard which Gold converted.
The second xv are at home to North Petherton next week

Chard 3rd xv 7pts  Honiton 3rds 43pts

Chard skipper Mike Berry was determined that this match would go ahead despite only having 13 players and although his team lost the game was well contested and enjoyed by all. Particular thanks to Tim Glenn for officiating at the last minute.
Simon Stuckey scored the Chard try and Wayne Lewis added the conversion.
The 3rd xv are due to play Bridgwater at home next week