Sat 11 Sep 2021, 15:00
Wadebridge away
By Zoe Winlow
Chard packed up and travelled away for the first time this season, their hosts were Wadebridge, located on the river Camel.
From the first whistle Wadebridge came out fighting, nearly scoring a try in the first 60 seconds. Chard held it up but this set the tone for the first half of the match, the hosts attacking hard and Chard struggling to organise defensively. Despite a shakey start Chard regrouped after the first few minutes and gained pockets of possession, allowing them to show off their unstoppable scrummaging which took the Wadebridge pack by surprise. For the first time the hosts were on the back foot, an opportunity seized by Chard with good ground made, notably good runs were from Niall Crouch and Jack Elliott . This led to a defensive mistake from Wadebridge, and a penalty to chard taken by Crouch 10 minutes in, brought the score to 3 nil to Chard.
As the next few minutes unfolded a high tackle from Chard meant Wadebridge had a penalty opportunity of their own which was missed by flanker James Grubb.
Crashing runs from Wadebridge including forward Ben Humber were held off by the visitors, including the fearless Billy Brooks and hooker Ben Robinson, but relentless drives from the heavy, high energy hosts were difficult to keep at bay and soon Wadebridge began to rack up their points.
Using the full width of the pitch in their attack the hosts enabled their fullback Cody Armstrong to slip round the outside for a try, converted by James Grubb.
From the restart a further few minutes or hard attack saw Wadebridge Rupert Edwards score left of sticks. Conversion by James Grubb, the score was now their 14 to Chard's 3.
And this torrade of attack continued, with 2 further tries scored by Wadebridge, one for Matt Ballard, and one for Owen Wilson, the former converted by flanker James Grubb.
Despite this barrage, an opportunity arose for Chard from a Wadebridge mistake and the powerful visiting scrum walked the ball over the line for Douglas Herbert to score for Chard, neatly converted by Niall Crouch.
Shortly after, a penalty to Chard saw a subsequent maul fall just short of the try line and an unfortunate loss of the ball meant the chance was scuppered.
Half time score Wadebridge 26 Chard 10.
From the start of the second half Chard came out fighting, noticeably energised from their stronger last few minutes of the first. After 30 minutes of increased pressure, organisation, and some good runs including from Emil Syzdelko, Chard passed the ball efficiently for Douglas Herbert to score Chard's second try of the game. A charge down from Wadebridge meant the try was unconverted, the score was now 26 to 15.
During the second half Chard played with more energy, thought and cohesion and as a result Wadebridge barely touched the ball. Despite a drastic change of pace and high pressure from the visitors Wadebridge held out to the last whistle leaving the final score
26 Wadebridge to Chard 15.
A definite game of halves and Chard will be disappointed with this result but there are certainly some useful notes to take home, and the first away game of the season to a known strong side was never going to be easy.
Next weekend 18/9/21 Chard host Bideford at Essex Close.
