CHARD RUGBY REPORT FOR SATURDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2007
BY GLYN HUGHES

SOMERSET PREMIER LEAGUE       CHEW VALLEY 12PTS CHARD 11PTS

Chard can count themselves very unlucky to have lost this game because their play was a huge improvement on the previous weeks display against Winscombe.
Unfortunately  a careless lapse of concentration in the opening minutes and a similar one in the closing few minutes would  cost them a victory their overall display deserved.
Chard went behind virtually from the kick off when they failed to deal with the ball and  home fullback Paul Todd got possession and broke through several tackles to score an unconverted try.
Chard were playing up the slight slope in the first half but any possible advantage that this might have given the home side was negated by a strong wind blowing up the field.
Chard were looking a much more organised unit particularly in the back division where Andy(Jock) McKerrow at flyhalf and wing Mike Farthing would both enjoy very strong individual performances.
After twenty minutes play The home side were caught offside at a ruck and Paul Nicholls stepped up and calmly slotted the ball over the posts to get Chard back into the game. Chard nearly took the lead when flyhalf Twigg gained good ground from a penalty and from the ensuing lineout Chard just failed to drive over the line for a try. Within minutes however they were awarded another penalty and again the boot of Nicholls was successful and the points gave  Chard a narrow one point advantage. Chard comfortably held this lead until the interval.
The home side used the gusting wind well in the second half and pinned Chard back inside their own half, but the Chard defence  was generally sound and they were able to  turn defence into attack on several occasions and Johnny Porter was one of several players who made some telling breaks. Just as Chard were beginning to exercise some control of the game they actually lost their discipline by questioning the referees decisions and this cost them the services of Mark Parsons who was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes . Down to fourteen players Chard tackled tenaciously and managed to get through this time without conceding any points.
As soon as they got their full complement of players back Chard found themselves  in a good scoring situation and from a lineout skipper Wagstaff won good ball and from the resultant drive Wagstaff regained possession to score a try to the right of the posts. Nicholls narrowly missed the conversion attempt which would have left  the home side needing to score twice to regain the lead. Chard went very close on several other occasions but were just unable to find that final bit of magic to seal victory. With the game drawing to an end Chard came  under a lot of pressure on their own line but they held out and were relieved when the referee awarded them a scrum following a knock on by the home side. A this crucial point of the game Chew managed to wheel the scrum successfully and won the ball back and despite their frantic efforts  Chard were unable to stop Chew going over for a crucial try which Todd converted to set up a narrow win for his side
After last week Chard can take a great deal from this display but must have been sick to lose after playing so much better.
Next week Chard are at home to Keynsham in the  Somerset Premier League   which will no doubt be their stiffest test of the season and this game will kick off at 2.30pm.
There is a vice presidents lunch before the game at 1pm and Martin Lock tel 01460 52959 has details.
DORSET AND WILTS LEAGUE 2 SOUTH    CHARD 2nd xv 12pts WHEATSHEAF CABIN CREW 1stxv17pts
Chard skipper Andy Hopper playing in the true spirit of the game agreed to let the visitors have one of his own players and play 14 aside rather than playing against a depleted side and they repaid him by snatching a late victory!! Pierre Chabal and Tim Crawley scored tries for Chard with Mike Best getting one conversion.. Hopper was full of praise for his side and named  Crawley and Dave  Hughes for special praise
SOMERSET DIVISION 3 SOUTH                 CHARD 3rd xv 0pts  CASTLE  CARY 1st xv 14pts
A converted try in each half was enough to see Cary through to a comfortable victory but  the Chard youngsters again played  well and are gaining valuable senior experience by playing at this level often against seasoned campaigners. The Chard  skipper was pleased with the fighting qualities of his side and managed to keep a firm grip on proceedings both on and off the field.
Next week Chard have a Dorset and Wilts league match away against Bournemouth 3rds and a Somerset 3 south match away against  Crewkerne 2nd xv. Both kicking off at 2.30pm