Sat 15 Jan 2022, 14:30
WESTERN COUNTIES WEST
CHARD 15pts BURNHAM ON SEA 32PTS
From Glyn Hughes
Despite a few players not being available for selection due to Covid related issues and other things Chard were still able to put out a very strong squad for this match and the entire team could not be faulted for effort but on the day Burnham were without doubt the better all round team and deserved to win the game.
Arguably they were probably the best team to visit Chard so far this season and their forwards in particular gave the Chard eight a run for their money throughout the game with a very aggressive and powerful display. Few sides have been able to do that for some time.
Burnham took an early lead when some good forward play gained ground down the right and aided by some missed tackles the Burnham number eight Ashley Cutter crossed in the corner. Tim Piper missed the conversion.
0-5
However it wasn’t long before Chard got into their stride and levelled things up. Chard were awarded a penalty 30m out and a well rehearsed move allowed Huw Edwards to carve through the visitors defence to score a delightful but unconverted try.
5-5
It really was a competitive game worthy of two teams in the top three and the forward battle was particularly entertaining!
Burnham scored a second try midway through the half and it was nearly a carbon copy of their first with again Cutter scoring in the corner . Piper added the conversion points this time to put his team 7pts clear
5-12
The battle between the forwards tipped in Chards favour shortly before the interval when Burnham lost a player to the bin after one of their front row forwards totally disagreed with a decision made by the referee and was rightly yellow carded.
Chard were awarded a penalty but chose to take the scrummage and drove Burnham back over their own line with Garion Woodcock getting the touchdown. The try was again unconverted so Chard still trailed by 2pts
10-12
Chard would have taken this score at the break but in the dying seconds of the half they allowed Burnham to break through and that man Cutter scored his third try again converted by Piper.
Chard had not played badly at all but some of the basics such as finding touch rather than giving back possession and missing tackles had certainly not helped their cause.
Half time Chard 10pts Burnham 19pts.
Almost immediately after the interval Piper increased Burnham’s lead with a penalty which had been awarded for a dangerous tackle.
10-22
It was imperative that Chard got the next score if they were to stay in the game and this they did when fly half Niall Crouch made a decisive break down the left wing and scored a fine individual effort in the corner. He narrowly missed converting his own try but at 15-22 Chard were right back in the game.
Unfortunately a series of events worked against Chard. The impressive Dave Biss was somewhat unfortunate to get a yellow card and coach Jon Hendy who had came on as a replacement in the front row had to leave the field shortly afterwards with a knee injury. This disrupted Chard somewhat and Burnham forced their way over for a bonus point converted try from front rower Stefan Pearce.
Piper added a late penalty to put the result in no doubt.
Chard have now narrowly lost three games in a row and Burnham have now pushed Chard down into 3rd place in the league.
They will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they visit local rivals Wiveliscombe next weekend. This will be another very tough game against a team who are very strong on their home patch. The game kicks off at 2 30pm
Chard 2nd xv( The wing commanders ) had a convincing win at Burnham which keeps them Top of Somerset Division 2 south
Burnham 2nd xv 5pts Chard 2nd xv 64pts
Chard scored ten tries with these coming from Sam Mouland 2, Fin Shoemark 2 ,Arron Lewis, Jamie Prior , Dave Tucker, Dave Loca, Billy Vernon and Tom Spurway
Mouland added 7 conversions
Chard 2nd xv entertain Castle Cary 1st xv at home next weekend ko 2 30pm
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