CHARD Colts recorded their first win of the season with a 17-10 victory over previously unbeaten Taunton.

From the kick off, Taunton demonstrated why they were undefeated so far this season, with impressive turn-overs from the ruck leading to possession in dangerous areas.

Chard kept their composure none-the-less and managed to regain possession and keep Taunton out of their 22.

In an attack from Chard, 15 minutes into the first half, the ball found its way into the away team’s hands.

In a defensive panic, the ball was launched from the boot into Chard’s half.

An awkward bounce and good football skills by Taunton’s No12 led to the first points of the match. With a missed conversion the score stayed at 5-0 to the visitors.

Even though Chard held most of the possession and territory, they couldn’t seem to capitalise.

This wasn’t the case with Taunton though. On just the second occasion they entered Chard’s 22 in the match, they left it with another five points.

With 20 minutes gone, and trailing by ten points, Chard picked themselves up and took the game to the visitors.

Their efforts paid off when flanker Ash Wilson-Briant went over in the corner after some exciting play. With the conversion just fading at the last minute, the score stayed at 10-5.

Chard kept up their intensity, and the Taunton defence couldn’t handle it, with prop Ben Mainwaring going over in the same corner.

At the break, the score was all level at 10-10.

Early into the second half, one of Taunton’s front row sustained an injury and with no practised replacement, the scrums had to become uncontested.

This was a disappointment to the home side who had been dominating the scrumages throughout the match.

Sensing their first win of the season on the cards, they didn’t let this get to them and pushed on.

The pressure soon broke the visitors down with Wilson-Briant going over under the posts to put the home side in the lead. The conversion was successful.

The score remained 17-10 for the rest of the match, but with two sin bins for Chard – and plenty of pressure from Taunton – it was a dramatic match until the final whistle.

Chard celebrated their first competitive win of the season and will be looking to continue this form next week when they travel to Wells.

Chard: Ben Mainwaring, Liam Mustchin, Joel Nicholls, Jack Larcombe, Bradley Clapp, Henry Elliot, Warren Lewis, Ollie Harris, Ash Wilson-Briant, Ed Sullivan, George Whitlock, Ryan Wingate, Jack Oaten, George Read, Murray Squire, Rhys Carnell, Calum Syrett, Tom Hobbs and Alex Madge.