Sat 4 Sep 2021, 15:00
Chard 28 - Truro 10
Jason Gardiner memorial shield
Chard entertained Truro for the long awaited opening match of the Western counties west league season.
With Truro newly promoted into the league Chard were facing the unknown but expected a tough start to their league campaign.
The game was to be played for the Jason Gardiner memorial shield.
Chard kicked off and with the kick gathered cleanly by Truro and returned into touch it was the home side that had the first chance to attack inside the Truro half.
To a man Truro were much the bigger side and the first few hits of the afternoon left Chard knowing they were in for a very physical encounter.
Chard attacked from the first lineout of the game and made their way into the Truro 22. After several phases of strong running from both backs and forwards hooker Ben Robinson forced his way over the line with Niall crouch converting making the score 7-0 with only a few minutes played.
Play for the next 20 minutes was very even with Chard having to defend for large parts of this time in their 22. Truro gained a number of penalties of which they kicked to the Corner but the chard defence held firm.
Although the larger side,Truro were struggling to contain the chard scrum however and chard began to push the away side back over their own ball
On a number of occasions.
From another scrum win against the head chard failed to clear their lines effectively and Truro found a man over in the far left corner for their winger to touch down. The conversion was missed but Truro were back in the game at 7-5.
Chard started to take a real strangle hold for the next 10 minutes up to half time with their scrum now causing Truro some serous problems and it was a scrum on the Truro 5 meter line that forced the referee to award Chard a penalty try after several Chard attempts to shunt the Cornish heavyweights over the line.
Half Time: Chard 14 Truro 5
The second half started much the same as the first half with both sides looking threatening but the defences were forcing mistakes in both attacks.
The Truro lineout was well organised making life very difficult for the chard pack to win clean ball but again with the scrum dominating and the Chard backline looking full of energy and pace it was with the run of play that Centre Jack Oaten spotted a gap in the Truro defence and sliced through scoring under posts. Crouch converted and chard looked in total Control at 21-5 with 20 minutes to play.
At this point Chard could have easily added to their tally and made the game safe but a few errors in attack and a little lack of composure gave Truro the incentive they needed to pin chard back in their 22 again. To the away sides credit they carried hard through their forwards and eventually the pressure told with the Truro prop barging his way over the line. The Conversion was missed but with 15 mins to play the game was not over at 21-10.
With a nervous finish to the game a possibility Chard did up their game for the closing stages and continued to create chances in the wider areas with the away side looking tired. Chard continued to chase their fourth try of the afternoon and the bonus point win. Some lovely play from backs Clarke, Brooks and debutant Hole nearly secured the fourth try but with the line beckoning a foward pass denied them.
With the final whistle approaching it looked like the home side were not quite going to compete the perfect afternoon but with the last play of the game Oaten as before sliced through the gap and secured the bonus point win. Crouch converted making the final score 28-10.
Chard can be really pleased with their efforts on the day. Improvements can be made but after such a long lay off to secure a bonus point win against a strong Truro side is a very good start to their 2021/22 campaign.
Next week Chard travel to Wadebridge for what will be a another very stern test. 3pm KO
