CHARD RFC begin their Western Counties West season with a short trip to Wellington on Saturday.

Pre-season has been frustrating for Chard, with several matches cancelled due to opposition teams pulling out due to lack of numbers, but they did take a team to Sherborne last weekend (see below).

Now they are ready to begin the competitive business of league rugby against a newly-promoted side who have bounced straight back into the division after winning Cornwall & Devon last season.

Friendly
Sherborne 19, Chard 10

PRE-SEASON didn’t go to plan this year again for Chard RFC, with opposition calling off, but Sherborne were there in numbers to fulfil the fixture under floodlights. 

Chard also travelled with a mix of not just 1st and 2nd XV players but also a sprinkling of 3rd-teamers.

Sherborne kicked to start and a missed catch gave the home side an easy try and kick at goal, putting seven points on the board.

This rattled Chard and things got worse with the loss of fly-half Matt Ayres with an injury.

Sherborne pressed, forcing errors that led to penalties in kick-able areas but the hosts played for the try and eventually were awarded with a rolling maul over the line. 

Chard, however, made inroads towards the Sherborne 22 but a suspected neck injury to a home player stopped play on 15 minutes and the ref blew for the end of the first quarter. 

Chard made five changes for the start of the second quarter and immediately had to soak up the pressure but only conceded a kick and chase with the home team putting the ball down in the left corner for a half-time score of 19-0.

With another five changes to start the second half, including the front row, Chard made Sherborne soak up the pressure and Joe Manwaring went over for an unconverted score.

The last quarter allowed a complete swap of players and Chard finally got over for a second unconverted try by Bill Biss. 

Chard took lots of positives from this game and, with a few tweaks at training, will be ready for their first league game this Saturday, when they go to near-neighbours Wellington.