Somerset 2 South
Somerton 17, Chard 2nd XV 59

CHARD travelled to Somerton with a very young team team – most players under the age of 20 – and came away with a fine victory, writes Gavin Smillie.

The average age was raised somewhat with the inclusion of veteran props Brian Sugar and Richard Lovelock, while Ben Stead also made a second-half appearance.

The game started with scrappy and poor play from both sides, neither side able to gain any advantage from the other’s poor passing and decision making.

However, after 10 minutes skipper Billy Brookes crossed the line to open the scoring for Chard, with Cam Helliar adding the extras.

The errors continued and the spectators had to wait another 20 minutes for a good passage of play, but this time it came from the home side, two quick scores putting them 12-7 ahead.

Chard regrouped and with half time approaching another Colt, Joe Mainwaring, scored a converted try to give his side a 14-12 lead at the break.

Chard came out for the second half looking a different team with slick passing and good set plays, and it wasn’t long before Billy Vernon crossed for an unconverted try.

Three minutes later Ben Stead crossed, and Helliar was on target with the conversion for 26-12.

Chard’s Polish U20s international Emil Szydelko, who plays regularly for the Chard Colts, was next on the scoresheet as he grabbed two tries within a few minutes, both converted by Helliar.

Stead then ran through the opposition defence to score his second of the day to make it 45-12.

From the restart the hosts’ pack stepped up a gear; for a period they were bossing Chard and scored a deserved third try of the day.

But Szydelko chalked up his hat-trick with a fantastic run from his own 22, skipping by a number of tackles en route, to make it 52-17.

Not to be outdone, Vernon scored a fantastic individual try, again converted by the reliable Helliar, which gave Chard victory by 59 points to 17.

Man of the match: Ross Colenso.

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NEXT Saturday, Chard 1st XV travel to play away against Newent in South West 1.

The 2nd XV are at home to Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset 2 South, and the 3rds travel to play local rivals Wyvern in Taunton in Somerset 3 South.