FRIDAY 2 DECEMBER 2022 KICK-OFF 19.30
BOTH SIDES SEEK TO BOOST CHANCES OF SURVIVAL AFTER A DIFFICULT FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON
In welcoming Chard to College Way this evening, we also herald the first matches in the second half of the 2022/23 season. Chard were amongst many Somerset clubs who were formed in the 1870’s as rugby football swept through Somerset and the West Country. Formed in 1876 the same as Wells and one year after all of Bridgwater & Albion, Taunton and Weston super Mare – these clubs followed in the footsteps of Bath (1865), Wiveliscombe (1872) and Wellington (1874). All of these clubs are now approaching their 150th anniversary and have all maintained the game’s traditions in many different ways. In league terms, Chard initially plied their skills in the Somerset leagues and at the start of this century were in Somerset I where they were champions in 2002/3. They cemented themselves well in Somerset Premier being runners up in both 2009/10 and 2010/11 but gained promotion in that latter season. They did not waste any time in Western Counties North being winners in 2011/12 with an impressive 23 3 record. That brought them through to Level 6 where we are now in 2012/13. They maintained their form from the previous season in finishing fourth and although Albion won 38 8 here in November 2012, Chard avenged the defeat with a 34 22 win on their own ground in March 2013. Chard went even better in 2013/14 completing the double over Albion and finishing as runners up behind Hornets in the league but were promoted through the play offs. Alas their stay at National 3 South West as it was then was only for the 2014/15 season and they were immediately relegated. They had achieved their successes on the back of a consistent but aging side which found it difficult to compete at Level 5 and this showed in the next two seasons when in 2015/16 they finished 11th and 12th and were relegated again in 2016/17 with both of today’s opponents winning their home matches in each season. So it was back to the drawing board and to the training ground and a spell in Western Counties West and a 7th place finish in 2019/20 provided the impetus for a top five place in 2021/22 and with leagues restructuring, that was sufficient to bring Chard up again with the likes of Truro, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Wadebridge Camels.
Chard started their season at Wadebridge with a splendid 10 10 draw against the unbeaten Western Counties West champions from the previous season. They went one better a week later defeating Albion 27 0 on a Friday evening but had to wait until another Friday evening on 21 October where they clipped Sherborne’s wings 15 7. They await their next victory and last Saturday went down 12 29 at home to Truro. Chard had been a passionate outpost in East Somerset as all of our teams have found at all levels over the years. We wish them well in their quest to put it back together and to try and rescue the season.
Strangely, Bridgwater & Albion’s two victories this season have also come on Friday evenings perhaps there is something in it after all. Who will win this Friday’s battle? It could be a significant move to start on the right foot in this second half of the season and to try and plunder some more victories. In Albion’s case including tonight and over the next five weeks we play four of the five sides above us the visit to high riding Crediton next week being the exception.
Albion returned from Truro with their first bonus point of the season in going down 24 43 and that ought to have provided some inspiration. However, in difficult conditions last Saturday here, we were swept away by an enthusiastic Wadebridge Camels side 0 38. Albion struggled to get in the game from the outset and facing a stiff breeze, they found it hard to break out of their own territory and conceded 4 first half tries. Things ought to have gone better in the second half but kicking the ball dead on four occasions and conceding three yellow cards certainly did not help matters. The team was once again disrupted by an early injury to Lewis Plece in the centre who was replaced by Josh Parker a forward by trade who gamely stood in the wing position. Albion will wish to get off the mark early in the second half of the season if they are to rescue their season and clearly have to concentrate on the teams immediately around them for this purpose and there is plenty of opportunity to do that in the next few weeks. As indicated, there is a difficult encounter at Crediton next week and a pre Christmas win tonic v Newton Abbot here the following week would be welcome. Then it is in to North Petherton for the first game of the new year and another Friday night outing at Sherborne as ever all to play for. .
UNITED XV SLIP UP AT HORNETS III
Our United XV which has shown some good form when it can get into action, encountered a difficult match at Hornets III last Saturday going down 14 36. Nevertheless it was another competitive performance which hopefully will stand the side in good stead for tomorrow’s outing at Somerton. The first half of the season has been difficult with four conceded matches but once we can field a competitive side, we have shown what we can do with some big wins. More of this to come surely. The penance for withdrawing from matches is that the return fixture is always reversed and so the United XV will play its three pre Christmas matches away at Somerton tomorrow; Chard next week and Wiveliscombe on 17 December. Coming back on schedule, the side meets North Petherton II here home on 7 January.
NEXT MATCHES ON THIS GROUND
Saturday 17 December
1st XV v Newton Abbot Kick off 1500
The season closes down for its Christmas break with fixtures returning on 7 January with Bridgwater & Albion at North Petherton
