CHARD RUGBY REPORT FOR SATURDAY 19TH JANUARY 2008

BY GLYN HUGHES

The 1st xv premier league match against Chew Valley was postponed because the Chard pitch was a victim of the weather.

The Somerset division 3 match between Chard 3rds and Weston Hornets was also called off but not because of the pitch but because Hornets were unable to raise a side. Chard were therefore given a walkover and the points.

Dorset and Wilts Division 2 south. Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew 18pts Chard 2nds 10pts.

This was without doubt a game of two halves with Chard not doing well in the opening period and allowing the home side to run in eighteen unanswered points in the first half.

In the second half Chard upped their game a great deal and the introduction of Mick Duffy at number eight allowed Chard to gain a lot more control and the pack who had struggled in the opening half began to win some ball and Chard pulled back ten points with a penalty from Nicholls and a try from the experienced Jon King.

Chard skipper Andy Hopper Was frustrated not to have won the game but was full of praise for his young props Tom Frecknall and Simon Ousley who improve with every game and for newcomer Damien Pearce who althogh lacking experience showed a good turn of pace when he had the ball.

Next week Chard have two matches.

A Somerset Premier League match away to high flyingWinscombe and a Somerset division 3 game at home to Minehead. Both games kick off at 2 30pm