Chard 34, Bridgwater & Albion 22 (From This is The West Country)
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Chard 34, Bridgwater & Albion 22
10:00am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Sport
Photo: Ben Pomeroy - Lovejoy Chawatama bulldozes his way to a Bridgwater try.
South West 1 West
Chard 34, Bridgwater & Albion 22
BRIDGWATER continue to hover just above the relegation zone after Chard exacted revenge for their defeat earlier in the season, writes Tony Pomeroy.
Twice in the opening minutes Chard showed confidence in their pack and after 12 minutes, the home side broke the deadlock with a driving maul seeing Lee Massey cross the line and Paul Nicholls converting.
After 21 minutes, yet another driving maul saw the second try for Chard following a five metre lineout but Bridgwater responded and a penalty to the corner led to the inevitable driving maul which saw Matt Hastie touchdown for an unconverted try.
A penalty by Nicholls extended Chard's lead before a third try, this time for prop Nick Hyslop was also converted by Nicholls.
A superb Joel Clark run, that took play deep into the home 22, was rewarded when the resulting penalty to touch set up yet another driving maul with Nick Spellissy credited with the try converted by Heal making the half time score 22-12 to Chard.
Bridgwater started the second period much the stronger but it took 18 minutes to reduce the deficit as Heal landed a short-range penalty.
Moments later, the scores were brought level when Lovejoy Chawatama bulldozed his way through the Chard defence and Heal converted.
Controversy then marred Chard's next try which gave them a five-point lead which soon became 12 points to the good as the home side scored another try giving them a flattering 34-22 win.
Bridgwater have no game this weekend but will host high-flying Camborne on Feb 23.
Team: Ashley Honeywell, Joel Clark, Rob Allen, Will Kerry, Arg Saliarelis, Dominik Griffin, Roger Drabble, James Bryant, Matt Hastie, Christian Preece, Matt Northey, Rob Thompson, Nick Spellissy, Ollie Dunn, Dan Kemmish (Capt)
*BRIDGWATER'S second strong lost 30-17 at home to fellow Somerset One side Old Sulians. They have no game on Saturday.
