South-West Division 1
Chard 1st XV 7, Clevedon 22

HIGH-FLYING Clevedon were given a real run for their money by lowly Chard, who battled hard throughout and played their part in a fairly evenly contested match, writes Glyn Hughes.

Clevedon, however, had a real trump card in Keiran Hill, whose general play was good and who also had an excellent afternoon with the boot.

Hill kicked four superb penalties in the opening quarter when Chard were repeatedly penalised for flaunting the rule book.

This early 12-point advantage put Chard on the back foot before they got going themselves, and Hill would prove to be the real difference between the teams.

Clevedon then increased their lead with a try from lock forward Harley Foley; Hill added the conversion to take his side 19 points clear.

Chard then just missed a try when they narrowly failed to get the touchdown after a fine kick to the corner.

However, they deservedly got on the scoresheet right on half time when Matt Tinley crossed wide out for a try, which Osman converted.

Hill increased Clevedon’s advantage with another successful kick in the early minutes of the second half but Chard gave as good as they got for the rest of the match and were unlucky not to get another score.

They felt they were unlucky not to get a penalty try when Clevedon had a player sent to the bin following a blatant infringement on their own line.

Chard were unable to get any more points on the board but it was a very entertaining game enjoyed by a good-sized crowd.

On Saturday, Chard are at home to unbeaten leaders Weston (ko 2.30pm).

This fixture is the re-arranged match following the floodlight failure last Friday evening.

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Somerset 3 South
Chard 3rd XV 52, Frome 3rds 12

WITH less than a hour to go before kick-off, the game was in doubt as the referee had broken down on the way to Chard.

Matthew Bowditch, however, rolled in with whistle and flags to referee for the first time this season following an injury.

Chard started up the hill and found the scrum was Frome’s strength, but Chard were more than a match with the front row of Milton, Nicholes and Lovelock doing everything right.

Chard ran in three tries in the first half through Squire, Mainwaring and E. Lewis, with a single try from the visitors making the score 17-5 at half time.

In the second half, with the advantage of the hill, Chard scored quick tries through Szydelko and Watts.

Frome got a converted try but Chard went back on the attack with two more converted tries from Squire and Szydelko.

The final try came with Warren Lewis picking the ball up on the halfway line and carving through to score under the posts.

Man of the match: Rhys Carnell.

On Saturday, Chard host a game between ex-chairman Mike Duffy’s team and current chairman Gavin Smillie’s squad.

Almost 50 players have registered an interest in playing with a good number as part of the RFU and club return to rugby programme - kick-off is at noon at the club.

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Teignmouth Ladies 5, Chard Ladies 0

CHARD made the journey to the coast for their first meeting with Teignmouth with a squad of 18, two playing their first game.

The pitch resembled a mudbath before the match and the rain didn’t stop, so the game was played up front with a soap-like ball.

Chard were under pressure for most of the first half and Teignmouth eventually scored from a quick pass to an advancing player.

This was a wake-up call for Chard and from then they kept the ball in hand and recycled it well, testing the home team.

The second half saw Chard continue domination in the pack, with Jo Truscott standing out among the forwards.

Claire Baker had a fine game and was just pipped for Chard’s player of the match by captain Laura Jenkins.