Rugby report for Saturday 31st  March 2007  by Glyn Hughes

Somerset Premier League

TOR 20pts  CHARD 12pts

An inexperienced and very depleted Chard side lost a game they still could have won comfortably. However tactically very poor play in the first half and poor tackling at crucial times would cost them dear.
Chard played into a gale force wind in the opening half and instead of keeping the ball in hand attempted too many kicks which did more harm than good and often ended up losing ground.
Tor took an early lead with a penalty goal  and went further ahead with a try down the blindside of a scrimmage which was down to poor tackling rather than anything else. Despite not playing too well Chard managed to hold out until the final minutes of the half  when again Tor took advantage of poor decision making and went over for another unconverted try to lead 15- 0 at the break.
The much changed Chard side lost the services of Paul Nicholls in the opening seconds of the second half  when he suffered a severe cut on his head.
 Even with the wind in their favour Chard were not gaining the expected advantage and fell behind to a swift counter attack. Now trailing by 20pts Chard began at last to play and the energetic Ryan helliar scored a  try under the posts which young fullback David Baker converted. Veteran hooker John Wallis in for the injured Hendy controlled the ball well from a driving maul and went over for Chards second try which was unconverted.Chard applied a lot of pressure in the final 10 minutes but the home side held on for a narrow victory.

Dorset and Wilts League 2 south

Chard 2nd xv  85 pts   Wincanton 1st xv 5pts

Chard dominated this game throughout and Rob Hall and Neil King made welcome returns to the side. Man of the match Mike farthing scored a hatrick of tries and other scores included a fine effort from Andy McKerrow who ran the whole length of the field and tries from Lee Brun, Clive Adams, Neil Wilmington, Nigel Baker, and Neil King. Stuart Gold and Wilmington shared nine conversions between them. The visitors kept going but their lack of pace and mobility was exposed throughout by the pace of the Chard side.