From Glyn Hughes
WESTERN COUNTIES WEST - CHARD 50pts TIVERTON 13pts
This was Chard’s final home game of the season and the players produced a wonderful eight try performance for the healthy sized crowd which included many of the clubs sponsors who continue to back rugby in Chard with such enthusiasm and commitment. Thank you to you all.
The team was led out by former skipper Ryan Helliar who was playing his last home game for the club before retiring at the end of the season.
Helliar made his mark on the game in the opening minute when he made a fine break before off loading to winger Emile Szydelko who raced in under the posts for a try converted by Niall Crouch.
7-0
With Chard giving away a string of penalties it was no surprise when Tiverton hit back minutes later with a successful kick from the boot of Callum Stone.
Chard have some excellent front row forwards and it was no surprise to see them dominate in the set piece. This was illustrated when Ross Colenso was the beneficiary when he touched down for try number two after ‘Tivey’ were driven back over their own line for an unconverted try.
12-3
Stone kicked a second penalty for Tiverton before Jack Oaten made a tremendous break but somehow was tackled inches from the line when he looked certain to score.. Chard were really playing some fine running rugby and any thoughts that they are just a forwards based team were soon kicked into touch with a fabulous piece of total rugby. Stone missed a 3rd penalty attempt giving Chard the room to counter attack and run the ball from behind their own try line. This they did with the ball passing through several pairs of hands including Szydelko and Billy Brooks before Colenso took the final pass to score under the posts for Crouch to convert. Breath taking!
19-6
Just before the interval Chard got the bonus point 4th try when Max Gosden crossed the line and with Crouch again being successful with the conversion Chard held what looked like a fairly comfortable 26-6 lead but Tiverton had played well and were certainly not out of it.
The visitors started the second half in fine fashion and Chard were pinned back in their own 22 area for some time . Chard defended well and after several phases had the opportunity to clear their lines but a long kick up field from Ben Thomas failed to find touch and gave Tiverton room to set up a counter attack of their own and they took full advantage with flanker Johnny Fairclough scoring under the posts for a try converted by Stone.
26-13
Chard had lost David Morton and Helliar to the bin during the second half and the highly competitive nature of the game also saw a Tiverton player joining them there for a ten minute spell!
Chard were not to be denied however and gradually gained momentum in the game and Ben Fenton added some pace to the game and scored two lovely tries both converted by Crouch.
38-13
Tiverton looked somewhat shell shocked after these two tries but Chard were not finished yet and scored two more unconverted tries in the final few minutes with Szydelko making a typical barn storming run and the impressive Jack Mills chasing up to win the race for a touch down after a clever kick ahead..
A special mention to 18yr old referee Ben Pomeroy who was only officiating his second game at this level and handled the game very well indeed .One to watch out for no doubt.
A tremendous win for Chard who after a week off next Saturday travel to play Truro on Saturday 23rd April for their final game of the season.
No one is really clear about how the restructuring of the leagues my affect Chard next season but a win at Truro is certainly Chards target as they attempt to complete a good season in 4th Place.
Chard would certainly favour continuing to play their rugby in Devon and Cornwall as well as Somerset.
After the game the Chard players and members collectively did a video call to Club Stalwart and honorary member Paul Gammage in France to wish him a swift and full recovery with everyone looking forward to seeing him and Mel back in the club asap!
