SOMERSET Premier League, Tor 26pts, Chard 5pts - Chard lost this Somerset league fixture before the kick off when they failed to start with a competitive front row.

The game went ahead with uncontested scrums from the start, which meant that according to RFU rules Chard would get no points out of the game whatever the result. However, if Chard had failed to fulfil the fixture they would have been subject to a minimum additional penalty of at least two points, which could well have put them back into a relegation dog fight. If they had started with a competitive front row and been forced through circumstances to play uncontested later on then the final result would have stood had Chard won.

Tor with late tries at the end of each half were somewhat flattered by the final result and if Chard had started the game with a specialist hooker then the result could have been different.

Chard defended well in the opening quarter and made just two excursions into the Tor half but after twenty minutes play with their fullback limping after a knock, Tor took advantage and moved the ball quickly out wide and went ahead with an unconverted try in the corner. Chard nearly equalised from a lineout close to the Tor line but the ball was held up and Tor managed to clear the danger. Both sides continued to play good rugby but the Tor backs did look sharp and dangerous. However, Chard were tackling well and it would be four minutes into injury time at the end of the half before Tor increased their lead. After moving the ball well from good lineout possession Tor directed a well-placed grubber kick behind the Chard defence and centre Matt Hyde went over his sides second try converted by Neil Trevino. Half time: Tor 12pts Chard 0pts.

This late try must have been still playing on Chard's mind at the beginning of the second half because they conceded another in the opening minutes in the second half when they succumbed to some very fluent Tor handling. Chard could have folded at this point but to their credit they battled hard and their forwards were competing well in the rucks and mauls. The injured Simon Ousley and Jon Scott were replaced by Tom Spurway and Robbie Walker respectively and Chard continued to be competitive. From a lineout Mark Parsons made a good break and linked well with Chards speedy winger Chris Doel who ran in for a well deserved try.

In the last minute of the game Chard attempted to run the ball from their own line and unfortunately a pass got intercepted by Trevino who ran through to score and convert his own try to give Tor victory by 26pts to 5pts.

Next Saturday Chard 1st XV are at home to North Petherton in a Somerset Premier Division match and the 2nd XV are also at home against Wiveliscombe 2nds in Somerset Division 3 south. Both games kick off at 2 30pm