CHARD 2nds consolidated their mid-table spot in the Somerset division with a 24-18 defeat of Bridgwater 2nds.

After a quiet opening ten minutes or so Chard took the lead when Glenn Harding scored the opening try for Chard with a typically bullish run to the line.

Why score a simple try when you can change direction and take a few players out before scoring. The conversion from Sam Mouland drifted wide.

The referee seemed intent on awarding several penalties to the home side and Chard deservedly increased their lead. Following good line-out work from Nick Mouland, David Biss drove over for try No2.

Chard were now well on top and No8 Jack Elliot got the third try after more good work from the pack in which the Biss brothers looked particularly strong.

With Sam Mouland getting one conversion Chard already had a useful 17 points advantage.

Bridgwater did not help their cause by having a player sent to the bin on the half hour but they did get right back in to the game when in first half injury time they crossed for an unconverted try.

Chard seemed to have the game won after a strong start to the second half when they increased their lead.

Back row forward Gab Riley burst through under the posts for the fourth and bonus point try.

Mouland converted and with a 24-5 advantage the game seemed to be in the bag. Not a bit of it.

Poor tackling allowed Bridgwater to get their second try and a successfully converted penalty after a Chard player was binned for having too much to say brought the visitors right back into things.

A third unconverted try brought the visitors within another converted try of achieving the great escape.

Chard began to panic and some strange decision-making – not to mention a sudden loss of possession from the lineout now that Nick Mouland and Elliot had been replaced – resulted in a nail-biting final ten minutes.

Chard tackled hard and ran the ball back at the visitors and thoroughly deserved to hold on for another very good win against strong opposition.