A SUPERB exhibition of running rugby tore the Taunton 2nd XV string apart at Hyde Park on Saturday and Chard went over for a total of 13 tries (writes Glyn Hughes).

Chard went into the game having had to make several enforced changes because front row forwards Brian Sugar and Lee Carter were both out injured as was scrum-half Dougie Herbert.

Ryan Helliar switched from the back row and would go on and do an excellent job at number nine and Chard were also pleased to see Chris Bond back playing his first game for several months.

Despite the scoreline the Taunton side were competitive for large periods of the game and were certainly on top in the opening encounters when they narrowly failed to score a try before eventually taking the lead with a simple penalty when Chard were caught offside in front of their own posts.

It soon became apparent however that Chard had pace to burn in their backs and the large open spaces of the excellent Hyde Park pitch suited them down to the ground. Full-back Ben Stead and centre Neil Douglas created lots of space and Stead went over for two tries in the first-half with further tries coming from Carl Abercrombie and Douglas. David Lane added three conversions.

Taunton were tackling well but wave after wave of strong forward play by Chard provided the backs with lots of opportunities and their pace and handling was a joy to behold. Taunton were having their moments and had the success their efforts deserved when they went over for a converted try shortly before the interval which meant that Chard were leading by 31pts-10 at the break.

It took Chard ten minutes or so to get going in the second half but when they did they scored eight fabulous tries several of which were moves that began deep in their own half.

Taunton had some opportunities to score but they lacked that vital final flourish and were either caught flat-footed by some lovely Chard counterattacking or were simply out done by the expansive fifteen man rugby that Chard were playing.

Skipper Mark Parsons was leading from the front and having a great game. Parsons himself opened the scoring in the second half and more tries came from back row forward Jim Wagstaff, centre Lee Massey, and wing George Herbert (two). Douglas (two), and Stead also crossed the Taunton line and therefore both got hat-tricks.

Chard coach Steve Broome was very pleased with the style of the win and had praise for the whole team but particularly Parsons, Helliar and Douglas.

Next Saturday Chard face their toughest test of the season when they host leaders Weston Hornets which will kick-off at 2 30pm.