Western Counties West
Paignton 21, Chard 3

SOMETIMES it really is just not your day and never has this been so true for Chard as it was on Saturday in Torbay, writes Glyn Hughes.

An accident on the A30 between Honiton and Exeter meant the road was closed, so the team bus was held up for over two hours and the game, due to start at 2.30pm, did not begin until 4.15pm.

Paignton took an early lead with a penalty but this was soon cancelled out when Dougie Herbert slotted one over for Chard.

The rest of the first half was very evenly contested but two further penalty kicks for the hosts gave them a 9-3 lead at the break.

Chard were playing with great spirit and it was good to see Harry Miller back after a long lay-off, while James Twigg proved his worth with some excellent touch kicking throughout the game.

Paignton had the better of things in the second half but Chard had a chance of taking the lead, yet full-back Ben Stead just failed to hold onto an interception pass that would have seen him stroll in under the posts.

The home team sealed things with two late tries to deprive Chard of a losing bonus point.

To add insult to injury, Chard found out after the game that Crediton, Tiverton and Torquay had picked up points in matches no-one would have thought likely.

So Chard now find themselves in the dropzone dogfight, with only five points separating them from the second relegation place.

They host Sidmouth this coming Saturday (ko 2.30pm).

Somerset 2 South
Chard 2nds 25, Martock 7

THIS game was switched to Crewkerne Road as the main pitch was too wet.

Martock arrived with a team of 10 but they were able to borrow the necessary number of players.

The visitors started on a very positive note and took an early lead with a converted try.

It took Chard some time to settle, but they eventually got into their stride and under the vocal leadership of Brian Sugar they scored unconverted tries through Murray Squire and Dave Tucker to lead 10-7 at the interval.

In the second half the Chard scrum looked solid, with Mike Summers playing very well.

Further tries from Gavin Watts, Nathan Clapp and the evergreen Andy McKerrow ensured a bonus point win for Chard, who face Somerton on Saturday (2.15pm) on the Crewkerne Road pitch.

In Somerset 3 South, Chard 3rd XV were given a walkover because Wells 3rds could not raise a team.

Subject to the condition of the main pitch, Chard will host Taunton 3rds under lights this coming Friday (ko 7.30pm).

***

TWO of Chard Rugby Club’s Under-15 girls were lucky enough to to be invited to Bath’s training ground to take part in a training session hosted by Bath RFC and Land Rover.

Amber Coombes and Georgia Smillie were picked, along with 25 other players from clubs all over the region, to attend training with the Bath community coaches.

Those coaches were assisted by Bath lock Charlie Ewels and England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Lewis Moody.

The day started surprisingly when the girls were allowed to train on the first team’s pitch despite the weather, something that according to Ewels never usually happens.

The players were split and the training concentrated on the use of space and drawing players in before the pass, as well as the importance of being vocal on the pitch.

Following the training, a question and answer session with Ewels and Moody was held in the house and a signed Bath shirt was awarded to the player of the day.

The girls and boys then had an opportunity to get photos with the players, before being taken on a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities at Farleigh House and being treated to lunch with the group.

Both Amber and Georgia said they really enjoyed the opportunity to experience training with other girls from other teams, as well as meeting stars Ewels and Moody.