IN a tight match between two sides at the wrong end of the table, Chard 2nds just managed to claim a key 12-10 victory over Wellington 2nds in Tribute Somerset 1.

Wellington were forced into a re-shuffle for the match which saw the experienced Shaun Lang come into the centres for his first start at this level for a few years. He was a calming influence on the relatively youthful home back line and his fitness level was noticeably high.

Chard went with a simple, but effective game plan and a devastating scrummage which was on top most of the afternoon. Wellington for their part played smart, expansive rugby but seemed to make silly errors just when they were exerting some pressure. After James Devlin missed a tricky penalty, Chard opened the scoring on the half hour but Wellington responded to with a try of their own from a driving maul.

Dan Smythe Moore the man accredited with the five points.

The teams changed ends with Chard leading 7-5 but Wellington started the brighter of the sides after the interval. After some sustained possession, they bizarrely chose to run a penalty awarded right in the front of the posts 15 metres from the line.

The almost guaranteed three points would have nudged them ahead and as it transpired would have been critical to the result. However the chance was lost, Chard cleared their lines, and managed a score of their own wide out to restore their seven point lead.

At this point Wellington started to play the best rugby of the afternoon and a sweet, long range pass from Brett Perry set Harry Coles in enough space for the speedster to round his man and score. Stephen Mason was unlucky to miss the kick, but was invited to take another attempt after a Chard player was heard to make a noise when charging the kick. Mason’s second shot fell agonisingly short.

With the result in the balance and ten minutes to play, home winger Tim Foden badly dislocated his shoulder in a tackle and could not be moved until he received proper medical attention.

Play was held up for 30 minutes as the players waited for the ambulance to arrive, and as both captains could not agree on the floodlights being switched on it was finished in extremely murky conditions. The final moments after the enforced break were furious with both teams attempting to land the killer blow, however the match finished with no further scores.

n Chard 3rds enjoyed a comfortable 43-14 win against Midsomer Norton in Somerset Division 3 (S).