Sat 12 Mar 2022, 14:30
WESTERN COUNTIES WEST
PAIGNTON 6pts CHARD17pts
From
Glyn Hughes
Chard got back to winning ways at Paignton when they scored three tries and restricted the home team to just a couple of penalties.
Covid issues, injuries plus the the England v Ireland International at Twickenham meant a somewhat changed team travelling to South Devon but the team were very grateful to Charlie Roberts who travelled from Oxford in order to play and the two wings Huw Edwards and Billy Brooks who were keen to play despite not being fully fit.
All teams in this league are very competitive and Paignton were no exception.
Unfortunately after just five minutes play Sam Nelson-Smith , one of Paignton’s most experienced players who apparently has made over 400 appearances was the victim of a freak accident and appeared to have sustained a very badly broken leg and as a result the game was held up for approximately 45minutes whilst he was dealt with on the pitch by the ambulance grew who arrived very quickly at the ground.
Every one at Chard sends their best wishes to Sam.
The game restarted after the referee had allowed both squads to warm up again.
Chard have a habit of giving too many penalties away but these are rarely if ever scrum penalties so it was a bit surprising to see these being awarded against them and Paignton took the lead with a successful kick from scum half Olly Latto. 3-0
It was not long before Chard replied and it was fitting that their first try was scored by Matt Tinley who was outstanding throughout the game. Ben Thomas just missed the conversion. 3-5
Thomas had come into the side at flyhalf and was kicking and passing well in general play and kept the team moving forwrad
The rest of the first half was fairly evenly contested but Chard always looked the more likely team to cross the whitewash.
Half time 3-5
Chard got pinged again early in the second half for another scrum penalty and Latto made no mistake to put the hosts ahead by one point 6-5.
From this point onwards Chard were in the ascendancy and scored their 2nd try when scrum half Ross Colenso had a simple touch down after terrific work by the forwards . The try was again unconverted. With experienced prop Dave Biss on the injured list Arron Lewis had come into the team and he made a very encouraging contribution.
Chard increased their lead when that man Tinley forced his way over for his second try and with Roberts taking over the kicking duties and succeeding with the conversion Chard held a comfortable
6-17 lead .
Paignton finished the game strongly but in truth did not look likely to break through a very sound Chard defensive line,.
Next Week there are no league fixtures so the players and coaches can enjoy a well deserved rest.
The 1st xv restart their programme on Saturday 26th march with a very attractive home match against Cornish Club Penryn kicking off at 2 30pm.
Somerset Division 2 south Chard 56pts Somerton 7pts
Chard have only had one loss this season to date and that was away at Somerton so this was a very welcome result for the Chard team who are top of the table .
Chard scored five tries in each half with these coming from Fin Shoemark 2, Billy Vernon 3, Dan Goetz, Nick Lester, Luke Hill, Will Vining and Ben Stead. Stead and Dave Tucker 2 added three conversions between them.
Wiveliscombe are in 2nd place but trail Chard by 14pts although they do have two games in hand.
Chards next fixture is on Saturday 26th march away at Cheddar.
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