Regional 2 tribute Southwest: Chard RFC 12-32 Cullompton RFC

CHARD RFC were ultimately beaten by the better side at the weekend in their match at home in the Regional 2 Tribute Southwest division.

Cullompton are certainly one of the better sides in this division and in the first 15mins they pinned Chard back inside their own 22 area and but for some superb defensive play they could well have scored several times.

The Chard squad included five teenagers, and they all defended well. Cullompton were looking sharp and dangerous whenever they had the ball and eventually broke through the home defence for two converted tries and a penalty goal to lead by 17pts after half hours play.

Chard skipper Luke Aplin led by example and after some great work by the forwards he got a touch down and Cullompton did not look the same side when under some sort of pressure themselves. Niall crouch converted the try and Chard were on their way.

They could easily have got at least two more tries before the interval, but some basic errors unfortunately led to the opportunities being squandered and to add insult to injury the visitors added another three points to their total after Chard were penalised for a high tackle.

At the half time break it was 7-20 in favour of the visitors.

In the 2nd half both sides lost players to the bin and Chard also lost two of their most experienced players when Aplin and Jack Elliot were replaced after suffering knocks.

Some uncharacteristic ineffective tackling led to a further try for Cullompton before Chard responded when youngster Jacob Bond scored an excellent try in the bottom right-hand corner. Crouch hit the conversion well, but it hit the upright and bounced clear. 12-25

Chard continued to press but the visitors put the result beyond any doubt with a late bonus point try.

Cullompton were certainly the better side and deserved their win, but Chard again gave everything, and will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they face fellow strugglers Burnham on Sea, at home next Saturday kicking off at 2 30pm. Lets hope another big crowd turns up to cheer on the team.

Elsewhere, in the Somerset three south, Chard RFC Seconds were defeated by Bridgwater & Albion Seconds 41-26 at the weekend.

Chard were expecting to beat Bridgwater on Saturday but they did manage to score 4 tries to claim a bonus point. Try scorers for Chard were Huw Edwards, Max Mainwaring, Aidy Mahoney and Tom Wingate. Billy Vernon added three conversions.

Chard 2nd xv have no scheduled game next Saturday.