Western Counties West

Chard 5, Tiverton 36

A CHARD squad depleted by injuries battled hard against a more than useful Tiverton team, writes Glyn Hughes.

After a very competitive and close first half, Tiverton gradually got the measure of Chard and scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.

The final scoreline was somewhat flattering and did not give a true indication of the effort made by the hosts.

Chard started really well and some good play from Ieuan Watkins gained a lot of ground for Chard.

A resulting lineout was won well and hooker Joe Mainwaring went over for a splendid but unconverted try

Jason Wright, Billy Biss, Ryan Helliar and the outstanding Mainwaring were superb in repelling Tiverton.

Game management was a problem for Chard, resorting time and again to the same tactics of either trying to bulldoze their way forward or to spin it out wide.

Kicking never appeared to be an option and, as a result, Tiverton kept the pressure on and waited for the inevitable mistakes to occur, scoring an unconverted try on the half-hour.

Fly-half Matt Down added a penalty to give his side an 8-5 half-time lead.

In the damp conditions, Tiverton were happy to keep things simple but effective, clearing their own lines with long kicks from the back three and sending penalties into touch.

Vickery added a second try which Down also converted midway through the half and two late tries sealed a deserved win for the visitors.

After the 1st XV game, Chard and Tiverton under-13 teams played under lights on the main ground which provided additional entertainment for the big crowd who had turned up for the sponsors day event at the club.

The Chard club are very grateful for all the sponsorship they receive from organisations, businesses and individuals in the town, without which they would not be able to survive, so many thanks to all.