Sat 12 Feb 2022, 14:30
đź“ť Match Report đź“ť
SATURDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2022
From GLYN HUGHES
WESTERN COUNTIES WEST
CHARD 43pts HONITON 0pts
Despite the very cold and drizzly conditions a good crowd turned up for this local derby which was very kindly sponsored by the Eccentrics skittle team who began skittling under the name of Chard Rugby club when an alley was added to the original clubhouse in the mid 1980s. The team particularly wanted to sponsor this game in memory of Kevin Templeman who played regularly for the team until he passed away two years ago. ( more information about the Eccentrics can be seen below)
Chard started the game very strongly and could have taken the lead in the opening minutes when they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts . They chose however to kick to the corner but the plan slipped up when they failed to secure the ball at the lineout!
However with only eight minutes gone Chard did take the lead with a very well executed set move straight from the training ground. A neat inside pass to Huw Edwards was taken at pace and the winger scored an unstoppable try under the posts which was converted by Niall Crouch. 7-0
The wintery conditions weren’t making things easy for the players but in the set plays the Chard forwards were very dominant and after 15minutes Chard doubled their lead when they drove Honiton back over their line and scum half Ross Colenso touch down for another try converted by Crouch.14-0.
Honiton were now really up against it but always attempted to play positive rugby whenever they had the ball. However they had no answer to that man Edwards who made a terrific 40 metre break midway through the half which which set up Colenso for his second try. The extras were again added and Chard had moved on to a 21pt advantage.
You never know in rugby but on the half hour when Warren Lewis scored a fourth and bonus point converted try the match as a contest in terms of the result seemed effectively over.
28-0
At no point during the game did Honiton stop giving their all and in skipper Robert Price they had one of the games outstanding players.
Shortly before the players left the field for the warmth of the changing rooms at the interval Chard increased their lead with a 5th try scored by right winger Barnaby Down.
Half time Chard 33pts Honiton 0pts.
Honiton had territorial advantage in the opening ten minutes of play in the second half but the Chard defensive line was very sound and kept them out.
Reed Mawdsley at full back who had another useful game showed his attacking prowess when he scored a fine unconverted try after 50 minutes to extend the Chard lead. 38-0.
Both sides had players sent to the bin in the final quarter of the game but it was appropriate that Matt Tinley who was no doubt Chards man of the match would score the last try of the game to make the final score 43-0. Tinley was excellent and put in a highly charged performance throughout.
Special mention also to Warren Lewis who was one of several players who were promoted from the 2nds to cover Chards continuing injury problems. None of whom looked out of place at this level and they would have all benefited from the experience
Chard are away at Kingsbridge next weekend with the game kicking off at 2 30pm. This will be a tough challenge for Chard particularly after the Devon side recorded a very convincing win at high flying Burnham on Sea on Saturday.
The Eccentrics
The team started off in the Chard town skittles league in the mid 1980s. Most of the original members were ex or current rugby players. The team moved to the Haymaker Inn for a short time when the new clubhouse was being built and played in the Ilminster Country Houses league. The team moved back to the new clubhouse for several years but large numbers in the clubhouse on training nights prompted the club to move to the Bell and Crown where they stayed until it closed. The team now play at the Perry Street Club.
Skittles gave the team an opportunity to carry on the socialising they had enjoyed as rugby players and due to their age to talk a load of rubbish whilst enjoying a beer!! Current Rugby Club President Bob Morgan has played throughout the teams existence.. The team were keen to sponsor this local derby against Honiton in memory of Kevin Templeman who would have played against them many times before the start of league rugby
Chard RFC thank them for their support.
The Chard 2nd xv won 17-0 against Wells rugby club on Saturday and remain top of Somerset Division two south. They are 6pts clear of Wiveliscombe who have a game in hand so a very tight last few months of the season is on the cards with Chard still having to play Wivey and their other closest rivals Somerton.
Next Saturday Chard 2nds are at home to Martock kicking off at 2 30pm on the main ground.
Please enter your page detail here. This can be HTML or text. To edit click the first menu icon on the small HTML menu that appears when you click on this text. Please use the elements on the right if you wish to construct a richer page content with headers, images and layout grids.
