Sat 3 Sep 2022
Chard faced a daunting trip to Cornwall to take on Wadebridge for their first game of the new campaign against a team which had won all 26 of their games last time out.
Chard did however play well in both games last season against this strong side and were very unlucky not to win the encounter at Chard.
After the recent heatwave it was good to take the field in cooler and damp conditions and Chard were at it from the off taking the game to last years champions.
Chard have lost a few players who have moved on to other clubs but they have been able to bring in five new additions as well.
The Chard forwards continued where they left off last season and dominated much of the set plays.
The game was very competitive indeed and what Wadebridge lacked in the forward play was cancelled out by their sharp backs who looked dangerous whenever they had the ball.
It was well into the later stages of the half before Chard took the lead when their Polish international Emile Szydelko successfully kicked a penalty goal. 3-0
Chard increased their lead when debutant Will Vining scored a fine try which was converted by Szydelko and Chard led by 10pts to nil at the break.
The Chard forwards with Jack Elliot, Matt Tinley and David Morton to the fore and the rest of the team had played really well in the first half and Chard certainly deserved their lead.
Wadebridge are a very good side and roared on by their support they got back into the game and took advantage of Chard not being quite as dominant in the 2nd half and levelled things up with a penalty and a converted try of their own.
Chard finished the game strongly and on the balance of play throughout should probably have won the game but never the less they put in an excellent performance with Tinley being awarded man of the match.
Their next game is against Bridgwater and Albion 1st xv and spectators please note that this local derby is now taking place under lights on the evening of Friday 9th September and not on Saturday.
Kick off for this eagerly awaited match is at 7 30pm.
