Sat 23 Apr 2022, 15:00
From Jon Hendy
Chard travelled to Cornwall for their final game of the season and fell agonisingly short of a victory which would have put them in 4th place. The two bonus points they did get only put them level with Teignmouth on 83pts because they had a very comfortable victory against Honiton and secured 4th place because of the countback situation.
Apparently (although no one seems entirely sure) the top four clubs will be moved into a higher league next season when the leagues are to be re organised.
Despite playing well in patches Chard made a lot of basic errors in the first half but a fantastic performance from every one in the second half brought them so close to a win .
Truro took the lead after 5mins when Chard lost the ball in their own 22 area and Truro accepted the gift and scored a converted try.
7-0
Chard had a good spell after the restart with their forwards particularly dominant . Good play from Jack Elliot, Warren Lewis and Dean Richards set things up nicely and after 15mins Chard were rewarded when Matt Tinley stormed over for an excellent but unconverted try.7-5
This try brought Truro back to life and their impressive fullback made a good break which took his team into the corner where from a lineout the hooker went over for a 2nd converted try.
14-5
Chard were caught out again when they failed to clear their lines and some over elaborate play in midfield gifted Truro a try under the posts.
21-5
Chard unfortunately lost the services of scrum half George Russo to injury which resulted in several positional changes being needed and before they knew it the talented home fullback raced through for another converted try to put his side well ahead at the break.
H/T 28-5
Surely this was game over for Chard especially against such a strong running side but Chard do not lack character and their forwards were instrumental in setting up a terrific 2nd half performance which almost brought them an unlikely victory. A well judged kick from Niall Crouch set up a try for Jack Elliot which Crouch converted to take the score to 28-12 . This was soon followed by a good run and chase from Emile Szydelko who linked up with Tinley and Dan Goetz who forced his way over for try number three
28-17
Just as Chard were getting really on top they missed a few tackles and the impressive Truro number 15 who had been a thorn in Chards side throughout the first half ran over 50meters to score under the posts.
35-17
With ten minutes to go good inter play from David Morton, Max Gosden , Tinley and Ben Robinson set up Ben Thomas for a try under the posts a which was duly converted.
35-24.
It was all Chard now and they were rightly rewarded when Ben Robinson went over for another try to make the final score 35-31
A terrific second half performance which just fell short of getting the win which would have guaranteed 4th place.
Special mention for Jack Elliot who gave a man of the match performance in this his first game after a long injury layoff and for head coach Ben Thomas who is moving on after several years of excellent service to the club.
Despite a few downs here and there it has been a very good season for Chard and with skipper Luke Aplin, Director of rugby Jon Hendy and Team Manager Kevin Johnson all in place for next season and the 2nd xv getting promoted. The club is looking good both on and off the field with a solid playing squad and very good hard working people behind the scenes.
The Club dinner/dance and awards evening is being held at the Shrubbery this coming Friday.
Chard travelled to Cornwall for their final game of the season and fell agonisingly short of a victory which would have put them in 4th place. The two bonus points they did get only put them level with Teignmouth on 83pts because they had a very comfortable victory against Honiton and secured 4th place because of the countback situation.
Apparently (although no one seems entirely sure) the top four clubs will be moved into a higher league next season when the leagues are to be re organised.
Despite playing well in patches Chard made a lot of basic errors in the first half but a fantastic performance from every one in the second half brought them so close to a win .
Truro took the lead after 5mins when Chard lost the ball in their own 22 area and Truro accepted the gift and scored a converted try.
7-0
Chard had a good spell after the restart with their forwards particularly dominant . Good play from Jack Elliot, Warren Lewis and Dean Richards set things up nicely and after 15mins Chard were rewarded when Matt Tinley stormed over for an excellent but unconverted try.7-5
This try brought Truro back to life and their impressive fullback made a good break which took his team into the corner where from a lineout the hooker went over for a 2nd converted try.
14-5
Chard were caught out again when they failed to clear their lines and some over elaborate play in midfield gifted Truro a try under the posts.
21-5
Chard unfortunately lost the services of scrum half George Russo to injury which resulted in several positional changes being needed and before they knew it the talented home fullback raced through for another converted try to put his side well ahead at the break.
H/T 28-5
Surely this was game over for Chard especially against such a strong running side but Chard do not lack character and their forwards were instrumental in setting up a terrific 2nd half performance which almost brought them an unlikely victory. A well judged kick from Niall Crouch set up a try for Jack Elliot which Crouch converted to take the score to 28-12 . This was soon followed by a good run and chase from Emile Szydelko who linked up with Tinley and Dan Goetz who forced his way over for try number three
28-17
Just as Chard were getting really on top they missed a few tackles and the impressive Truro number 15 who had been a thorn in Chards side throughout the first half ran over 50meters to score under the posts.
35-17
With ten minutes to go good inter play from David Morton, Max Gosden , Tinley and Ben Robinson set up Ben Thomas for a try under the posts a which was duly converted.
35-24.
It was all Chard now and they were rightly rewarded when Ben Robinson went over for another try to make the final score 35-31
A terrific second half performance which just fell short of getting the win which would have guaranteed 4th place.
Special mention for Jack Elliot who gave a man of the match performance in this his first game after a long injury layoff and for head coach Ben Thomas who is moving on after several years of excellent service to the club.
Despite a few downs here and there it has been a very good season for Chard and with skipper Luke Aplin, Director of rugby Jon Hendy and Team Manager Kevin Johnson all in place for next season and the 2nd xv getting promoted. The club is looking good both on and off the field with a solid playing squad and very good hard working people behind the scenes.
The Club dinner/dance and awards evening is being held at the Shrubbery this coming Friday.
