CHARD RFC Minis and Juniors held their end-of-season awards at Holyrood School earlier this month, in front of a full house.

Chairman Gavin Watts and club head coach Jim Wagstaff presented everyone with a medal, before each team awarded a trophy for the most improved player, coaches’ player and players’ player. 

The last award for the day was Young Clubman of the Year, which went to Warren Bowditch, who helps out on most weekends, including the senior teams on match days.

Three Chard RFC volunteers were nominated for the Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Gavin Watts, Luke Aplin and Tara Smillie were all recognised for their dedication to the game. 

All three have been working throughout the season to help provide rugby for the local community in both the senior and junior sections of the club.

Two Chard Colts, meanwhile, have returned from Japan, having represented Exeter College and their country in the Sanix World Rugby youth tournament.

Niall Crouch and Ben Fenton attended Holyrood Academy, and are now part of Exeter College’s Rugby Academy as well as playing for Chard RFC.

Fenton scored a try in Exeter’s 45-21 win over Akita Technical High School Japan, but defeats to Toin Gakuen High School and Australia A saw them knocked down into the Plate competition.

Crouch went over for his first international try in Exeter’s 59-19 semi-final win, and a 68-47 victory in the final meant the Plate went to England.