CHARD RFC MATCH REPORTS
FOR SATURDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2006 BY GLYN HUGHES
SOMERSET PREMIER LEAGUE
CHARD 47PTS  TOR 8PTS
Chard recorded their sixth win in succession with this seven try demolition of  Tor. The victory was particularly sweet because Chard have really struggled in recent years against their Glastonbury rivals.
In many ways this was probably Chards best performance of the season and despite a quiet period for about fifteen minutes in the second half Chard were generally on top for most of the game and thoroughly deserved to win by such a comprehensive margin.
Tor started the game well and took an early lead when  Chard were caught offside in front of their own posts in the opening minute and fly half Tom McNab slotted the resultant conversion. Within minutes Tor had an opportunity to double their lead but this time McNab pulled his second penalty attempt wide.
After these early scares  Chard got into their stride and began to dominate all facets of the game. The powerful home forwards won a lot of ball and things began to look difficult for the visitors. After eleven minutes play Chard scored from a simple catch and drive from the lineout with former skipper Jon Hendy being credited with the score. Nicholls converted from the touchline and Chard were on their way.
It was becoming increasingly apparent that Tor could not cope with the Chard lineout and after fifteen minutes prop forward Clive Derman went over for another try from a well rehearsed move. Nicholls again converted and he was again in good kicking form when right on half time he converted  his teams third try of the game which was again scored by Hendy.     H/T Chard 21pts Tor 3pts
Any chance that Tor had of getting back into the game was wiped out when Chard played some fantastic rugby in the opening ten minutes of the second half and scored a further three tries. The first of these came when powerful lock forward Alan Henley made a smart break down the blindside and linked well with Ryan Helliar and  Skipper Jim Wagstaff who ran in to score the first of his two tries. Nicholls again converted.  Within minutes a totally dominant home side drove Tor relentlessly backwards and in a vain attempt to stop the driving maul Tor collapsed the drive and the referee had no option but to award  a penalty try which Nicholls again converted. Wagstaff celebrated his birthday by going over for Chards sixth try and his second  of the afternoon to get his side up to forty points. The conversion was missed.
At this point Chard switched off a little and the game went through a quiet spell. Chard brought on their three replacements and Wagstaff, Helliar and Derman were all withdrawn from the fray.
Tor got some consolation for their efforts when they turned the tables in the Chard forwards and drove them over the line to score their only try of the afternoon when Nick Curtis touched down. McNab missed the conversion.
Chard saved the best to last and their seventh try was a real classic. Stead made a lovely break and linked beautifully with fullback Finlay who carved his way through the Tor defence before feeding Henley who took the ball at pace and scored a  tremendous try under the posts. Nicholls again added the extras to give Chard a comprehensive win that keeps them fourth in the premier league.
CHARD:DERMAN,HENDY,BOND,HENLEY,WRIGHT,PARSONS,WAGSTAFF(CAPT)PORTER,NICHOLLS
TWIGG,STEAD,HELLIAR,KING,HERBERT,FINLAY replacements JONES,MACKIE, MORGAN(all used)

WINCANTON  0PTS  CHARD 2ND XV  26PTS (DORSET AND WILTS LEAGUE 2 SOUTH)
Wincanton were a big physical side but they could not match the ability in the Chard side and two tries in each half gave Chard a comfortable victory and their 4th success in the league this season. Richard(rocket) Jones got the opening score and prop Ross Harrison followed this with the first of his two tries. Stuart Gold converted one of the first half tries and he and Harrison both touched down in the second half with Gold also being successful with the conversions. A good team performance with particularly good displays from Roger Summers, Lee Brun and Tom Frecknall.  Next weekend Chard 2nd xv are away at Wimborne in a league game and the 3rd xv entertain Bridport 2nd xv at Essex Close ko 2pm.