Western Counties West

Bideford 103, Chard 0

WHEN Chard travelled to Bideford a week ago everyone expected it to be the last game of the year but, frustratingly, the game was called off a few minutes before kick-off by the referee, writes Glyn Hughes.

RFU rules state that if a game is called off it has to be re-played on the next available Saturday, even if it is a few days before Christmas.

As a result, Chard had to travel to Bideford again yesterday without 12 of the squad who had been there the previous week because they had already arranged to be elsewhere.

Despite the heavy loss, Chard can be proud of the fact they put out a squad of 18 players and it gave one well-known blast from the past, Andy McKerrow, an unexpected promotion from the vets to the first team!

The few regular 1st XV players in the squad - Dave Biss, Joe Mainwaring, Warren Lewis, Ben Stead and skipper Ryan Helliar - did their best to encourage and organise their patched-up team but it was not to be and has just got to be down to experience, although not the sort of experience you want to happen again.

Bideford claimed they had a stronger team than the previous week which did not help either.

The bottom line is that you can only play with who is available.

Chard have no game next Saturday and their next game at home is against Winscombe on Saturday, January 5, kick-off 2pm.