CHARD Hockey Club’s ladies team secured the Sedgemoor Division 2 title with three games to spare on Saturday, courtesy of an 11-0 win at home to Taunton Civil Service 2nds.

Civil Service had been on good form recently, drawing with second-placed ECVH 2nds, and here they used their pacy forwards to cause the hosts some problems.

Chard, aside from a sluggish spell at the start of the second half, utilised a passing game with runs down the wing, and had too much for the visitors.

The hosts’ handsome victory came courtesy of goals from Kerryn Mullis (3), Lyndsay Blackshaw (2), Abbi Wheaton (2), Tessa Down (2), Emma Cridland and Jess Withers.

Civil Service were awarded a penalty flick in the last quarter, but it was saved by Hannah McGown with a left-hand pad deflection.

Abbi Wheaton picked up the player of the match accolade for the home side.

The only team who could have caught Chard, ECVH 2nds, were held to a 1-1 draw by Taw Valley 2nds, meaning an early celebration for the table-toppers.

ECVH’s match started half an hour later than Chard’s, so they discovered they had secured the league title while eating after match teas at the Bell and Crown.

Now 11 points clear at the top, Chard travel to ninth-placed Taunton Vale 5ths this Saturday (10.30am start).

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GoCrea8 Men’s League
Southern 1 Chard 0, East Devon 4

CHARD men’s 1sts look doomed to relegation after a heavy home defeat to mid-table side East Devon on Saturday.

The result leaves them six points adrift at the bottom with two games left, after the two sides directly above them – Bodmin and Torbay – drew 3-3 on Sunday.

Chard’s goal difference is significantly worse than their relegation rivals, too, but they can still look to end the season strongly, starting this Saturday with an away match against Torbay (2pm).

GoCrea8 South East 2
Taunton Civil Service A 4, Chard A 1

CHARD men’s 2nd XI still have promotion in their own hands despite their heaviest defeat of the season against a lively Civil Service side fielding ex-Chard players Simon Jones and Lee Slade.

Weakened by absences, especially that of defensive lynchpin Arthur Critchley, Chard drafted in youngsters Charlie Grossey and Alex Gurd along with Jon Reader, recalled to the 2nds after a three-year absence.

All acquitted themselves well but the makeshift defence struggled to contain the lively home forwards, who quickly helped their side into a two-goal lead despite goalkeeper Richard Green pulling off a wonder save.

The second half was more even, though Chard could not prevent Jones completing a hat-trick with a powerful short corner flick.

Chard reserved their best hockey for the final 15 minutes and deservedly scored through Kyle Wheaton.

With third-placed ECV Hornets B only drawing last weekend, Chard stay second and they can still be promoted with two wins – away to third-bottom Yeovil and Sh. B tonight (Wednesday, 8pm) and at home to basement side Sidmouth & Ottery C on Saturday (2pm).

Chard & Ilminster News:

WINNER: Rollo Squire hit the decisive goal for Chard B against Taunton Vale D. Pic: Steve Richardson

South East 2
Chard B 2, Taunton Vale D 1

THE men’s 3rd XI put in another impressive display at home to win the derby with Taunton Vale 5ths.

The visitors had the better of the earlier exchanges, finding space in the final third, but any attempts were either well dealt with by the visitors’ keeper or last-minute lack of control.

The home defence held up resolutely, with Riley Millet and George Bromfield both performing well, but the pressure eventually told as Vale scored an optimistic goal.

Chard did not seem to have the wherewithal to beak through the experienced Vale backline, but the equaliser came when Ryan Lewis weaved his way through the defence and his goalbound shot was converted by James Float.

As the second half went on, Vale’s older team seemed to be slowing down; Chard’s youth were more energetic but lacked the precision to get past the defence.

The winning goal came from a penalty corner which Rollo Squire scored into the corner.

The win ensures Chard will finish in the upper half of the table, which given their large contingent of youth is a great achievement.

Chard squad: Hibbard, Dare, Mooney, Millet, Bromfield, Lewis, D Cooper, B Cooper, Squire, T Float, J Float, Cheffey.

On Saturday they visit second-bottom Minehead B (noon).