CHARD RUGBY REPORTS
FOR
SATURDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2006
BY
GLYN HUGHES

SOMERSET PREMIER LEAGUE

CHARD 1ST XV 13PTS.  V  MIDSOMER NORTON 1ST XV 34PTS

The final score did not do justice to the Chard performance because for much of the game things were very tight indeed and the visitors although without argument the better side were somewhat flattered by the final scoreline which included two converted tries deep in injury time.
Both sides were unbeaten in the league so far this season and Midsomer Norton arrived at Chard having put 50pts over last weeks opposition Tor RFC. Chard had won their opening two away games and were looking to put on a good performance in this their first home league match of the season.
The visitors started as they had finished last week and in the opening ten minutes of the game Chard were really under the cosh. They ran everything and carved through the home midfield like a knife through butter. It was no real surprise when following a fluent period of play they scored a lovely try from flanker Alex Whitchard. Full back Penny missed the conversion but after more pressure from his side he landed a penalty goal to give Norton an 8pt advantage after only 8 minutes play. The signs were not good for the large crowd that had turned up but to their delight Chard came back into the game strongly with some determined play and powerful runs from the likes of Alan Henly, skipper Jim Wagstaff and Mark Parsons set up good ball for the backs and the visitors did not look as comfortable in defence as they did in attack.
After19 mins. Chard got their reward with a typical move from a lineout. They won good ball and drove over for a try which was credited to hooker John Wallis who had come into the side for the injured Hendy. Full back Findlay missed the conversion but within minutes he had put Chard ahead. Centre Ben Stead made a lot of ground before slipping the ball to Findlay who scored under the posts. Unfortunately the conversion was missed but Chard were now right back in the game and were full value for their narrow lead. Chard increased their lead when Lees kicked a penalty goal and they held this lead right up until the final minutes of the half. However in the final move of the half Norton won the ball from a scrummage and Whitchard went over for his second try of the game. The try was unconverted which left things level at 13pts apiece at the break.
The opening 10minutes of the second half were very evenly contested but Chard suffered a cruel blow when their skipper Wagstaff suffered a cut on his head which required hospital treatment. Worse was to follow when winger Mike Farthing fell awkwardly after a tackle and left the field in a lot of pain. Chard brought on Frazer Mackie and James Herbert but immediately from the restart Norton created some space and a great move ended when that man Whitchard went over for his third try of the afternoon which Penny converted to put the visitors ahead by 7pts.
 Chard continued to give everything and really deserved to get something out of the game. Deep in injury time Chard made the cardinal sin of not finding touch and they were punished on both occasions when firstly scrum half Moon and full back Penny ran through a tired chard defence to score two converted tries.
Midsomer Norton are a good side and deserved to win but this was a really entertaining game in which Chard played a full part. There was a great deal of excellent rugby played by both sides but Chard will be hoping to tighten up their tackling especially in open play and to try and capitalize on the scoring opportunities that come their way.

Chard team:- DERMAN,WALLIS, RICHARDSON, HENLY, WRIGHT, WAGSTAFF(CAPT) PARSONS, PORTER, JONES, TWIGG, STEAD, LEES, HELLIAR, FARTHING, FINDLAY, Replacements:- MACKIE, HERBERT, CARNELL.

Next Saturday Chard travel to play Old Redcliffians who have also had an unbeaten start to the season. There are certainly no easy matches in this league.

DORSET AND WILTS LEAGUE 2 SOUTH

IVEL BARBARIANS 2ND XV 38PTS   CHARD 2ND XV 14PTS

Ivel had a storming start to the game and raced into a 19pt lead. However Chard came back well and outstanding forward Mick Duffy used his experience to go over for two tries both of which were converted by full back Clive Adams to bring Chard within 5 pts. Ivel pulled away again with another unconverted try to lead 24pts to 14pts. In the latter period of the game Ivel used a vast array of replacements and these fresh legs were too much for Chard to deal with and in the dying minutes of the game the home side went over for two converted tries to seal victory.

Next Saturday the 2nd xv have a home league match against Bournemouth Rugby Club. This game will be on the main pitch and will start at 3pm.

County Colts.

Three Chard players were in the Somerset side that played against Munster last Friday evening at Weston –s- Mare.
Ryan Helliar and Ci Gardiner both started the match and Matt. Hopper was on the bench.