Sat 18 Sep 2021, 15:00
Report By Glyn Hughes
Chard put last weeks narrow defeat away at Wadebridge behind them and on a pitch that was in great condition they really put Bideford under pressure and won comfortably by seven tries to one which went down well with the large crowd who had turned up for the game.
Bideford are a tough side to play at any time but on this occasion they were generally outplayed for much of the match but to their credit they did not capitulate and had good spells themselves either side of half time.
Chard were awarded a penalty within a minute of the game starting and Niall Crouch made no mistake to put Chard three points clear.
It soon became obvious that the Chard forwards held the upper hand in both the set plays and in the loose and this dominance would make this a difficult afternoon for the visitors. Skipper Luke Aplin and the rest of his forwards are a real force to be reckoned with.
Chard went further ahead when after a series of infringements from five metre scrums the referee awarded Chard a penalty try. 10 nil
Chard looked certain to score again but the final try scoring pass was deliberately knocked on by Bideford on and the referee had no hesitation in awarding Chard a second penalty try to take the score to 17 nil
Some of the handling of the Chard backs left a bit to be desired at times but when they got it right they looked devastating and Emile Szydelko raced over for try number three which was converted by Crouch.
Winger Lewis Hole added the bonus point try for Chard after half and hour and with the conversion again successful Chard were now leading by 31pts to nil
At this point a lot of teams may have crumbled but not Bideford and in the ten minutes before the break they played really well and only some superb defensive tackling saved the day for Chard.
In their desperation to keep Bideford out they sailed a bit close to the wind and it was no real surprise when Ryan Helliar was sent to the bin.
Chard managed to hold out and keep their 31pt advantage at the break.
Bideford started the 2nd half well and with Chard going down to 13 when Jack Elliot joined Helliar in the bin they made the most of an overlap and winger Nick Evans crossed the line wide out on the right. Full back Reece Pearn added the extra points. 31-7
Chard wingers Szydelko and Hole were causing all sorts of problems for Bideford when ever they got the ball and it was no real surprise when they both turned half chances into scores. Crouch who was having a really good day with the boot converted both tries and Chard were out of sight. Crouch not only looked like not missing from the tee also kicked well out of hand to continually put the visitors under pressure.
Hole completed a good day for himself and his team when he went over for his third try and his teams seventh with a fine solo run in the dying minutes which was again converted by Crouch..
Next week Chard are away at Burnham and all support is welcome. Chard lost at Wadebridge last week who themselves had beaten Burnham by just one point in the opening game of the season so it should be another tough game. Kick off at Burnham is at 3pm
It is well worth mentioning that all those working behind the scenes at the rugby club have done a superb job in updating and refreshing the whole club whether it be the clubhouse, changing rooms car park or pitch
It is a wonderful facility for the club and the whole town to be proud of.
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