Western Counties (W)
Kingsbridge 27, Chard 14

CHARD travelled to the splendid Kingsbridge club on Saturday and played on the 2nd XV pitch, which was in very good condition, writes Glyn Hughes.

Chard were up against things in the opening half but defended superbly for long periods, with Jason Wright and Billy Biss outstanding. 

However, Chard were caught out of position a few times, giving the home team the opportunity to create the extra man, and they took full advantage to go 10-0 up inside 25 minutes.

Kingsbridge scored again on the half hour to increase their lead but, with the home kicker having had an off day, Chard were not too far behind on the scoreboard.

Chard then suffered a cruel blow deep into first half injury time when Kingsbridge scored a bonus point try which they managed to convert from the touchline to lead 22-0 at the break.

Playing up the slight slope in the second half Chard could have capitulated, but their performance was absolutely superb and they came back strongly.

The younger players in the team are gaining in confidence and Ross Colenso and Emile Szydelko were not afraid to take on their opposite number when they had the chance - it must have been the youngest back division Chard have fielded in years. 

Billy Biss can fill in at any position it seems and he had a terrific game, while the forwards as a collective unit were solid and nobody left anything out on the pitch.

Chard eventually got on the scoreboard 10 minutes into the half when hooker Joe Mainwaring finished off a good period of play by the forwards and forced his way over. Charlie Roberts made light of the difficult conditions and comfortably slotted the extra points.

Teams tend to vulnerable just after they have scored, but Chard made a complete hash of the restart and gifted the home side a fifth try which was totally against the run of play.

Chard were not to be denied another score and some barbarian type rugby from Mainwaring set up Szydelko for an opportunist try in the left hand corner - Roberts again made the conversion look simple from the touchline. 

The visitors were capable of scoring again, but when they were awarded a penalty just inside the Kingsbridge half but they opted to run the ball instead of kicking to the corner which could have given them a real possibility of getting a third try. 

It was not to be but coach Jim Wagstaff will certainly have got some positives out of the game.

The excellent performance in the second half should give the team a lot of confidence for the short trip to Crediton next Saturday.

Chard: Hyslop, Mainwaring, Mustchin, Lewis, Johnson, Hill, Gosden,(capt) Wright , Herbert, Roberts, Wingate, Biss, Szydelko, Colenso, Oaten
Replacements: Riley (used), Wagstaff

Chard 2nds lost 41-21 at home to Burnham 2nds in Somerset Two South despite holding a 21-0 half-time lead.