Sedgemoor Division 1

Chard Ladies 4, Taunton Vale 4ths 2

CHARD travelled to Taunton on Saturday morning hoping to get their first three-pointer of the season.

They were dominant in attack from the outset and Lorna Warren hit the post in the first couple of minutes.

Kerryn Mullis then took the ball around four Vale players before seeing her shot saved but Lyndsay Blackshaw converted the rebound.

A strong Vale side bounced back and equalised from a short corner.

Chard remained on the front foot, however, and their dominance was soon rewarded when Rose Trafford found Ruth Butcher, who fired home.

Only a few minutes later, good work from Sasha Taylor saw Butcher find Mullis, who extended the lead.

Chard went 4-1 up when Mullis’ shot was picked up by Butcher, who drove home.

In the dying minutes of the half, a strike from top D found the backboard and brought the score to 4-2.

After all the action, the second half was a much quieter affair and there were no more goals.

Player of the match: Evie Trafford; Chard: Hannah McGown, EJ Hines, Emma Cridland, Lois Butcher, Evie Trafford, Jade Dunning, Lyndsay Blackshaw, Jess Withers, Amy Goss, Rose Trafford, Sasha Taylor, Lorna Warren, Ruth Butcher and Kerryn Mullis; match sponsors: Porter Dodson

Verde Recreo Men’s League South East 2

Chard A 5, Minehead B 0

THIS comprehensive victory over struggling Minehead gave Chard their eighth straight win.

The hosts were ahead from their first meaningful attack with Murray Wheaton poaching at the far post.

Harvey Dening doubled the lead a few minutes later and Gareth Eggle made it three late in the half.

After the break, Dening and Eggle had a host of chances to add to their tallies and Eggle hit the post for a second time.

The keeper then pulled off a stunning point-blank reaction save from Dening before he created another chance for Eggle, who picked his spot to put Chard four up.

After Dening and Rollo Squire had each hit the post, Dening completed the scoring from a penalty corner late on.

Thanks to umpires: Gary Wheaton and Danny Grabham; Squad: I Rockett, T Eames (c), N Gage, R Millett, S Mahoney, R Squire, T Float, J Goddard, M Wheaton, G Eggle, H Dening, J Green

****

IN South East 1, Chard men’s 1sts thumped East Devon C 5-1.

Chard B lost 2-0 at Yeovil & Sherborne in South East 2.

Friendly

Chard Sunday Ladies 2, Yeovil & Sherborne Ladies 0

THIS local derby was played with a good, competitive spirit and saw some good hockey from both teams.

Chard went ahead through Ros Clemmans and, after some excellent saves from Alice Gibbins, sealed the win through Sophie Gibbins.

Thanks go to Chris Long and James Spurdle for umpiring.

****

CHARD Under-12s played in the Junior Tournament hosted by Bruton Hockey Club on Sunday.

The boys played strong opposition but did not let their heads drop.

They were rewarded with a goal from Thomas Sainsbury in their last game, while Oli Bartlett and Isaac Parris battled well.

Chard entered two girls teams and the first team lost three games by the odd goal but won their last match 4-1.

Hatty Souttar-Stone was the driving force in midfield and defenders Millie Truscott and Amber Griffiths tackled strongly.

The second girls team saw Katie and Ellie Rich both play well in their first tournament.

The defence were busy, with Eliza Wakley kicking well in goal and Ruby Parris tackling tenaciously.