Chard Youngsters 49, Chard Veterans 22

TWO teams of Chard Rugby players met for this memorial game in memory of Bill Morgan, who sadly passed away at the age of 19 in a car accident in December while working in New Zealand, writes Gavin Smillie.

First XV prop Benn Mainwaring selected a squad from Bill’s team-mates, and these Youngsters faced a Veterans side of over-35s, including Paul Wright, who had coached the opposition when they were Colts.

After a minute’s silence the game got underway and it was soon apparent that both teams would be giving it their all – the youngsters out to win big and the old boys for damage limitation.

The first score came from Bill Biss, who crossed the line on 15 minutes, and this led to two more Youngsters scores in quick succession.

The Veterans hit back through a quick kick-off from Ben Stead that caught almost everyone off guard and resulted in a try.

The Youngsters, though, got a few more in to make it 32-5 at half time.

During half time the Youngsters sportingly volunteered to swap positions around, with the backs coming into the scrum, to give the Veterans a chance.

And the second half brought a Vets comeback, with Stuart Gold and Brian Sugar crossing the line.

The Youngsters were rattled, players start to drift back into their original positions – perhaps they thought nobody would notice! – and Jason Wright got on the scoresheet for them to make it 37-15.

The Vets scored once more, through Simon Mainwaring, but by now the old boys were running out of gas and two more tries sealed the game.

***

LAST Saturday evening, following the final game of the season against Teignmouth, Chard RFC held their end of season awards dinner in the club house, where the main guest was Thomas Waldron of Exeter Chiefs.

Following the dinner, catered by Helen Broome and Richard Dare, speeches were heard from Waldron, chairman Gavin Smillie and Steve Broome, who naturally brought his own brand of humour to the event.

Award winners
1st XV:
Player of the Year: Will Hopkinson
Players Player of the Year: Will Hopkinson
Coaches Player of the Year: Benn Mainwaring
Most Improved Player: Liam Mustchin
Highest Try Scorer: Taalieb Johnson
Highest Points Scorer: Nanni Oesman
2nd XV:
Player of the Year: Joel Nicholls
Players Player of the Year: Billy Biss
Highest Try Scorer: Emile Szydelko
3rd XV:
Player of the Season: Eric Singleton
Players Player: Kevin George
Colts:
Player of the Season: Luke Carslake
Most Improved Player: Dean Richard
Most Committed Player: Will Vining
Ladies:
Most Improved Player: Emma Harris
Coaches Player: Laura Jenkins
Players Player: Jo Truscott