12th April

CHARD RUGBY REPORT FOR SATURDAY 19TH APRIL 2008 BY GLYN HUGHES

SOMERSET PREMIER LEAGUE

STOTHERT&PITT  23PTS  CHARD 10PTS

Chard despite losing their last game of the season should be quite  pleased with their performance.
A stag weekend in Cardiff for former 2nd xv skipper Lee Brun meant that most of Chards senior players were unavailable and as a result Chard fielded what was basically a development XV against the Bath outfit
Chard lost the toss and had to play down the slope in the opening half. They scored the only try of the half when a  fine run  from Rhys Williams  left the home players flat footed and he scored an excellent try which unfortunately he could not convert.
Chard then lost Jamie Adams with a leg injury and Chard moved Matt Tinley into the pack.
Chard could well have scored again but in fact the only other points of the first half came from the boot of the home kicker who punished Chard with  four successful penalty goals which gave his side a 12-5 advantage at the break.
Chard then also lost the services of Stuart Gold who was making his first appearance for the first team since before Christmas.
With the slope now in their favour there was a definite possibility that the home side might run away with things in the latter part of the game but far from it. They did increase their lead when a Chard pass was intercepted but Chard battled back well and a quick penalty from Llewellyn caught the hosts unawares and he crashed over for another converted try. Chard had several penalty attempts but with their main kicker Nicholls not playing they were unable to take advantage of them. Stothert sealed their win with two further penalty goals but Chard had the consolation of outscoring them by two tries to one.
The young players did the club proud and can take a lot of satisfaction from their performance at a venue that Chard have never particularly played well at.

SOMERSET 3 SOUTH

Wells 58pts Chard 21pts

Chard travelled with only thirteen players having been badly disrupted by the calls for the first xv. However Wells had players to spare and gave Chard two players to make up the numbers. Chard played some good open rugby at times but were somewhat disjointed for obvious reasons.
However despite losing they were competitive throughout and scored three converted tries with these coming from the impressive Max Gosden,,Andy Mckerrow and skipper John Wallis. Wallis kicked all three conversions but the depleted Chard side were second best on the day.

This coming Saturday Evening The players dinner and awards evening is being held in the clubhouse. Tickets from Mike Berry.