Sat 3 Sep 2022
Chard 2nd XV 30 - 14 Hornets 3rd XV
From Gav Smillie
The eagerly awaited open weekend started with a 2nd XV game at Chard RFC against Hornets 3rd XV, The ones were on the road against Wadebridge Camels who have won their last 26 league games so no easy game for either team.
The home game started well for both teams with Chard pressing forward as a team but being matched by a solid defence and Hornets countered with single man breaks but again the defence soon canceled these out the deadlock was only broken when Hornets were seen to infringe and Chard kicked a penalty into touch about 5 meters out and drove from the lineout giving Garion Woodcock the opportunity to dot down for the first try of the season.
From the restart the game continued to be well contested with good passages of play from both teams but simple errors stopped either team from taking an advantage, that is until Hornets fullback fumbled the ball and Billy Vernon seized the opportunity to steal and run over to double the lead 10-0.
The was the wakeup the visitors needed as from this point Chard had to defend for a long period in their own 22 only clearing after turning over a penalty scrum on the 5 meter line and moved play in the visitor's territory with Chard on the attack and soon gifted another penalty which Sam Mouland kicked for an attacking lineout on the five, this time the backs were given the chance to exploit the defence but a knock on stopped the game for halftime.
Half time 10 - 0
From the start hornets gave away a penalty again this time in front of the post giving Mouland a simple kick to increase the lead 13- 0 but things started to unravel for Chard as the impressive Ben Partridge withdrew to the bench and he was followed by Scott Johnson soon after but fortunately the bench were up to the challenge but it really didn't help when Hornetts broke through and were only stopped by a high tackle from Billy Vernon, as it was a clear scoring opportunity a penalty try was awarded and Vernon was sent to the bin. 13-7
Hornets should have built on the momentum they had and the extra man on the pitch but they couldn't keep their discipline and with hands in the ruck in front of the posts allowed Chard to increase the lead to 16-7 with 52 minutes gone.
Vernon returns after 10 minutes with his teammates keeping the opposition at bay but Hornets kept up the pressure and it seemed certain that they would come away with something but somehow Ben Stead came out with the ball and galloped towards the line, Hornets fullback had Steady covered but Luke Hill was able to take the pop pass and off loaded to Scott Johnson who added a converted try. 23-7
After a collision from the restart involving Captain Tom Spurway the resulting scrum had to go uncontested due to the visitors not having a suitable front row, hornets soon infringed again and Mouland kicked to touch and from the lineout Billy Vernon made up for past errors and went over for the bonus point try and Mouland got the kick to put Chard 30-7 ahead.
Hornets were beaten at this point and heads were down all except their number 12 who chipped through and chased the ball kicking it over the line and beating the Chard defenders followed by an excellent conversion kick bringing the game to a close.
Full time 30-14
