Tribute Somerset 2 South
Chard's own Wing Commanders arrived at Wiveliscombe Plain Pond ground knowing they were already league champions but this didn't distract from the job in hand, Wiveliscome look to be runners up this season assuming they can get a result from their last two rearranged games and were keen to show why they are in the mix at the top of the table.
Almost before the crowd had settled in Chard were on the attack with veteran 10 Andrew Mckerow moving the ball out to Sam Duke who made yards in the home teams 22 before releasing to Reuben Usher who powered over the line to open the scoring for the champions, Dylan Moss made no mistake and slotted the conversion 0-7.
Wivey came back stronger and pressured in the Chard half for long periods of time using the width well trying to stretch the Chard defence but failed to make the final move to open the scoring, eventually they settled for a penalty in front of the posts but when it was pulled wide all it did was relieve the pressure on Chard.
The game continued with the ball switching teams more often than Johnson & Hill but neither could could find that final move to score until the 38th minute when Wivey again put the ball out wide and this time had the overlap to score in the corner for an unconverted try at the end of the half 5-7.
The second half continued with both teams having good runs but with no finish and to hamper the flow of the game the management for both teams made plenty of substitutes to give everyone a runout, Chard were beginning to get frustrated with decisions going against them and it wasn't long before Wivey had a kickable penalty and this time no mistake to take the lead 8-7 much to the delight of the home support.
Chard struggled once more to get momentum, especially legally in the view of the official so it was three steps forward and two back for a long period before the backs linked up to produce space for Billy Vernon to break through to score under the posts with one of his trademark snaking runs, Moss stepped up to put the visitors back in the lead 8-14.
Wivey produced the better rugby in the last few minutes of the game but Chards defence was too good and they managed to ground out the game to win again on the road for the last time this season.
Man of the match could have been any of the players that took to the field with a special mention to Dylan Moss, Steve Long Kieran Smillie and Nick Hyslop but this week the Wing commander man of the match was Sam Duke at hooker and then tighthead prop, who had an all round excellent game.
Over all the season has been a great success with 114 tries,scored, the most points scored at home and the best defence away from Chard, thank you to all the players coaches and supporters that cheered the team on helping the Wing Commanders become TRIBUTE SOMERSET 2 SOUTH CHAMPIONS!
