CHARD RUGBY REPORT FOR SATURDAY 22ND MARCH 2008 FROM GLYN HUGHES

FRIENDLY

CHARD 3RD XV 5PTS BRIDPORT 2ND XV 47PTS

Chard were completely outplayed in a very one sided first half and trailed by 42pts to nil at the break.
Chard third team skipper Andy Hopper decided to use this non league match as an opportunity to pack his side with all the younger and inexperienced players and they found it very hard going from the kick off against a talented  Bridport side that  outplayed them in every facet of the game and won virtually all the ball. As a result the pacey but youthful and lightweight  Chard outfit never had the chance to show their running skills and were up against it throughout the first half.
Drastic action was needed and a few home truths were spelt out during the half time huddle. Hopper also made some changes and brought in some experience from the bench. As a result Chard were much more competitive in the second half and scored a neat try when hooker Giles Lock drove over following good lineout work by Jon King.
After the first half drubbing Chard can take credit for 'drawing the second half'' with a much improved display but the lesson from the game was clear. It is impossible to win any game of rugby unless you  win at least some of the ball!!

Next week Chard go back to a full league programme with a Somerset Premier division game away at Avon, a Dorset and Wilts division 2 game away at Swanage and a Somerset division 3 south game at home against
North Petherton. All games kicking off at 3 pm