Western Counties West
Truro 17, Chard 27

CHARD travelled to Cornwall for the fifth time this season and came away with a thoroughly deserved victory after a well-managed and clinical performance which sees them end the season in seventh place, writes Glyn Hughes.

The score reflects the terrific contribution that Truro made to a very good game, and they certainly made the most of Chard being down to 14 players in the final 20 minutes with players being sent to the bin for high tackles.

The visitors made a really strong start, as the forwards drove Truro back, the ball was thrown out wide and Charlie Roberts scored close to the posts, only to miss the straightforward conversion.

Truro were useful on the counter-attack and they made every effort to catch Chard unawares, with a clever kick out wide finding the winger unmarked to score in the corner for 5-5.

Chard still looked the better side, with Ben Stead held up just short, and from the lineout Chard executed the perfect catch and drive, with hooker Joe Mainwaring going over.

Chard lost influential prop Nick Hyslop to the bin but this did affect them, as shortly before half time Gab Riley broke clear to claim their third try, which Roberts converted to give his side a 17-5 half-time lead.

Chard started the second half well on top, playing some delightful rugby.

The scrum and the lineout were working well and it was no surprise when from another lineout the impressive Luke Hill crossed for the bonus-point try to make it 22-5.

Then veteran full-back Ben Stead showed he still has a nice turn of pace by racing in for the fifth try.

In the final quarter, with both teams suffering in the heat, both Riley and Emile Szydelko were sent to the bin at different times, and Truro scored two late tries and a conversion.

For all the travelling support’s nerves, Chard held on comfortably to take five points.

The effort and commitment made by the players was first class, with the results in the last month of the season reflecting that.

Chard: Ben Stead , Ross Colenso, Charlie Roberts, Bill Biss, Emile Sydelko, James Twigg, Ryan Helliar (c), Nick Hyslop, Joe Mainwaring, Luke Hill, Scott Johnson, Dave Biss, Max Gosden, Gab Riley, Warren Lewis. Replacements: Tom Managhan, Archie Bromfield (used), Jim Wagstaff.

Somerset 2 South
Chard 2nds 26, Wiveliscombe 2nds 16

WIVELISCOMBE came to Chard with the youngest team seen to date this season, writes Gavin Smillie.

Chard took the kick-off and the chase was exactly as captain Brian Sugar had asked for; penned in, Wivey lost the ball and Niall Crouch crossed for a converted try.

From the restart the hosts attacked again, with the pack controlling the game and Connor Moon finding the gap to crash over.

Crouch was on the scoresheet again, but Wivey pounced on an error to make it 21-7 at half time.

The second half was a closer affair with the heat getting to both teams, though Ash Wilson marked his return with a try.

Wivey scored the last try of the match, but Chard won with the bonus point to finish the season on a high.

Somerset 3 South
Chard 3rds 22, Taunton 3rds 46

CHARD hosted champions Taunton on Friday night, and although the visitors scored first, Billy Vernon’s breakaway try gave Chard a 12-7 lead.

Taunton took their chances to lead 21-12 at half time, after which Gavin Watts, Gavin Smillie and Andrew Mckerrow all scored tries for the hosts.

But the away side never let their lead slip, and sealed the win late on.