Western Counties West
Chard 25, Torquay Athletic 13

A CROWD of 200 plus turned up to support Chard in this crucial game against Torquay Athletic, writes Glyn Hughes.

Aside from the odd wobble, the hosts put in a terrific shift, not only winning the game but also claiming a try bonus point to remain clear of the dropzone.

The home side did not start the game well, failing to deal with the opening kick-off, but they survived this early scare, and a great run by Charlie Roberts, followed by a penalty kicked to the corner, set up Chard for the opening try after just five minutes.

The home pack powered to the line and prop Nick Hyslop crashed over for an unconverted score.

Chard made another real hash of the restart, but good tackling kept Torquay out, and on their second sortie into the Torquay half, they won a penalty which Roberts slotted over to make it 8-0.

The hosts clearly had the upper hand in the forward battles, and they scored their second try when Dave Biss proved unstoppable.

The try was again not converted, but Chard held a 13-0 advantage.

Yet another dreadful restart from the home side allowed the visitors back into it, as their streetwise skipper Jon Woodhead scored in the corner for 13-5.

Within minutes the hosts were under pressure again, when after being awarded a penalty they gave the ball away too easily, and flanker Isaac Fahey scored Torquay’s second try, which thankfully for Chard was also unconverted, but the scoreline was now 13-10.

After dominating much of the half, Chard found themselves on level terms at the interval, as fly-half James Wood kicked a penalty.

The hosts’ lineouts were excellent – Scott Johnson, Max Gosden and Jason Wright all doing their bit – and this gave them territorial superiority in the second half.

It was no more than they deserved when Luke Hill went over for try number three, only five minutes into the second period.

Joe Mainwaring, who has had an excellent season, went over for Chard’s bonus-point try, which Roberts converted.

Chard held firm in the face of late pressure to delight their fans by securing a deserved victory.

With one game to go in the league, and several of the lower clubs playing each other next week, whatever the results Chard cannot now be relegated.

On Saturday Chard go to Truro (ko 3pm) for their final match.

***

Somerset 2 South
Wells 2nds 47, Chard 2nds 22

WITH so many 2nd XV players unavailable, the club’s veterans stepped up.

Chard took an early lead with an unconverted try from Blake Camfriend, but this score was almost immediately cancelled out.

The visitors regained the lead through Archie Bromfield, Nicholas Coombes converting, but the home side led 14-12 at the break.

Wells were well on top in the second half, but Camfriend claimed his second try with an interception and run from halfway.

Wells pulled ahead after Chard lost Connor Moon and Dave Tucker to injury, but the visitors got their bonus point when Mike Summers raced over late on.

Chard 3rd XV entertain Taunton under lights on Friday (ko 7.30pm), and not on Saturday.

The 2nds host Wiveliscombe on Saturday (3pm).