Western Counties (W)
Chard 26, Truro 24

THIS was always going to be an intriguing match following Chard’s relegation from South West 2 and Truro, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, and so it proved as it went right down to the wire. 

Chard started the match strongly with their forwards dominating the scrums against the much heavier and more experienced Truro pack, which was to be the difference between the sides.

The hosts were first on the score sheet when a clean break by Chard full-back Ben Stead was finished in the corner by Harry Miller, with Charlie Roberts adding the extras. 

Truro responded quickly with an unconverted try, but Chard were next on the score board when some quick work at the breakdown from the back row of Biss, Wright and Riley resulted in a penalty which Roberts slotted over from 35 metres out. 

Truro fought back with a converted try and, unfortunately for Chard, prop Luke Aplin had to leave the field due to what appears to be a recurrence of a serious knee injury

The change in personnel did not weaken the Chard outfit, who continued to battle away at the Truro line resulting in an offside infringement which Roberts duly converted to make the score 13-12 in the home side’s favour. 

Shortly before the break, Truro snuck over in the corner for a converted try to take a 19-13 lead into half time.

Chard started the second half just as strongly as they had the first and were rewarded with an unconverted try from Benn Mainwaring.

The hosts then caught the Truro defence napping as Mainwaring dived over the line following a lineout, and the game then flowed from end to end as both defences held firm, with Matt Tinley and Ryan Hellier putting in some strong tackles for Chard.

In the 65th minute, Truro muscled over in the corner for their bonus point try, but Chard kept up the pressure.

With Chard’s scrum dominance it was no surprise when Max Gosden went over from the back of a scrum for an unconverted try in the corner.

This made the score 24-23 to Truro but, with the referee poised to blow the final whistle, the visitors conceded two penalties in quick succession and Charlie Roberts stepped up to slot the winning penalty from 45m out to the delight of the majority of the large crowd. 

Next week, Chard travel to Burnham-on-Sea for what would be considered a local derby in this league.

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CHARD 2nds picked up a bonus-point victory, cruising past Wiveliscombe 2nds 55-0 in Somerset Two South.

Chard Veterans lost out by a solitary score against Portland.