South West 1 West
Chard 33, North Petherton 38

THIS really was a pulsating game played in front of a crowd exceeding the 500 mark, fully justifying the experiment of playing this local derby under lights on Friday evening, writes Glyn Hughes.

The crowd included a large contingent from Pethy and the blinkered view of the game from both sets of vociferous supporters added to the spicy atmosphere, not to mention the six cards and 11 tries in an action-packed encounter.

Chard gave Colts winger Emile Szydelko – who recently represented the Poland Under-20s national team – his senior debut.

The visitors were well on top in the opening quarter and appeared to go ahead in the opening minute, the try was surprisingly disallowed.

However, they did get on the scoreboard after six minutes when flanker Carl Brown powered over in the corner for an unconverted effort.

The game changed just before the 20-minute mark, when Chard took a quick penalty in front of the posts instead of settling for the easy three points, and scrum-half Raiqib Siljeur crossed for a try converted by Nannie Oesman.

This was quickly followed by try number two, when a stunning move from deep in their own half was completed by full-back Ben Stead, and Oesman again added the extras.

Chard were now looking a totally different side and got a third converted try when back row forward Will Hopkinson broke clear from some loose play to make it 21-5.

Things got somewhat heated in the final minutes before half time and in two separate altercations two players from each side were sent to the bin to cool off.

Pethy pulled a score back between the two sets of yellow cards when James Taylor crossed the Chard line for a try converted by Olly James.

This was quickly followed by a home player being shown a red which clearly did not do Chard any favours for the rest of the game.

The game had been very competitive, but some of the cards had been debatable to say the least.

Having led 21-12 at half time, Chard lost hooker Ben Robinson after he had made a terrific tackle, and Petherton were right back into the mix when, after 50 minutes, Brown went over for his second try, again converted by James.

Chard were under the cosh for a spell but their forwards got them back into the game, as they opted to take five metre scrums following a number of infringements which could well have led to a penalty try.

Nonetheless Mika Hartley got over for the bonus-point try, Oesman adding the extras for 28-19.

But in what was a fantastic game Petherton got back to within two points with a converted try from Nic Sestaret, and they then took the lead with another try, this time unconverted, from centre Henry Gliddon.

At 31-28 down, it looked like the hosts might be finished, but another wonderful counter-attack from deep in their own 22 saw Johnson cross for Chard’s fifth try and a 33-31 lead.

In the final minutes of the game Sam Williams broke through to get the decisive try and win the game for the visitors, but there was more controversy to talk about in the bar as a Pethy player was shown a second yellow and subsequently a red in one of the final plays of the match.

It was great game which yielded two bonus points for Chard, and when they compete like this it is hard to see why they are in the position they find themselves in – third from bottom in the table.

A long-term injury list is a factor, but they also seem unable to replicate their home form on their travels.

This Saturday Chard are at Okehampton (ko 3pm).

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CHARD 2nds were beaten 44-7 away at North Petherton 2nds on Saturday, meaning they drop a place to ninth in the Somerset 2 South standings.

Their game at home to Yeovil 2nds, due to be played on April 15, is now being played tomorrow (Wednesday, April 5, ko 7.30pm).

They also have a home fixture this coming Saturday, against Tor 2nds.