Chard Ladies 36 vs Sherbourne Ladies 0
By David Webb
The long anticipated first home league game of the season for Chard Ladies, promised much and did not disappoint the loyal supporters at Essex Road.
After two fine away performances, the home team came to this game with some confidence, but extremely keen to show the improvements made and put into practice on their home ground.
After a scrappy start from both sides, the home side were first to settle. Once again the Chard scrum proved irresistible, driving the opposition off the ball from the first set piece.
The strength in depth of the front row again highlighted , with Alisha Rolf drafted in to start at the last minute from the bench, joining hooker Zoe Watts and the highly experienced Emma Harris.
This gave captain and scrum half Charlie Taylor a great platform to make breaks, as well as setting the revamped backline free, led by the Georgia Adams who is growing with confidence each match.
As Chard began to dominate, strong charges by the second row combination of Talia Treble and Beth Kelly, supported by the always lively Cara Austin, sent the determined Sherbourne defence , in retreat towards their line.
A snipping run by scrum half Taylor saw the captain score Chards first try under the posts. Converted by centre Olivia Barnes.
Again , Chard forced Sherbourne back, consistently using their powerful forwards and their “new” Rhino move . After numerous phases of play, following an excellent kick by Adams, with flanker Charlotte Winship to the fore at the rucks. Taylor saw the opportunity to release winger Vi Coppin to score to left of the posts. Barnes once again converted to take the home team to a 14-0 lead.
It was not all one way however, as Sherbourne, although being outmuscled had dangerous backs . Chards defence, that may be the biggest improvement this season, held true. This was never seen better than when the visitors winger broke on their left, looking like she would get the visitors back in the game, only to be cut down by Coppin covering from the opposite wing.
The midfield defence was superb throughout the game, with centres Barnes, Kelly Dixon who was doubling up as line out jumper, and wing Hannah Wareham making full back Tamsin McKerrow’s life relatively comfortable.
Another kick through, by the tactically aware Adams , saw the home side capitalise once again through a series of close quarter drives, to enable Beth Kelly to crash over for the home sides third try.
Throughout the first half and in fact the game, Chard set pieces were dominant.
In the lineout , with primarily Dixon catching, supported by Winship and Austin, Chard dominated with hooker Watts consistently picking up any loose ball at the front of the lineout and making strong runs along the five metre line.
All the while at set piece and open play , the ever present unassuming number eight Georgia Smillie , controlled play at base of scrum and at breakdowns.
At half time Chard led by 19-0 and it is a visible change in attitude that they were not happy with this as they felt they could have made better uses of the opportunities.
The second half was in very much the same vein with Chard able to use their bench to full advantage.
Debutants Amy Couzens, Jess and Caitlin Perry and Danni Wills all came on, as well as prop Kayleigh Wright , recovering from injury, and always improving Ashley Pope in the second row.
Despite all the changes and other positional changes made due to injury, Chard continued to press. The game became more open , and with the Sherbourne tiring and making mistakes, Chard were able to capitalise.
Debutants Wills with two ( one converted by Wills), and Caitlin Perry with one saw Chard take the final score to 36-0, and an excellent way to end the year.
Credit must also go the the visitors who deserved something out of the game. They fought to the end, with no try being easy, and in the second half managed to cross the Chard line only to held up.
Although scoring seven tries, just as important was the fact that the Chard defence held firm to complete an excellent all round performace and a very enjoyable after match celebrations with:- Talia Treble winning forward of the match leading by example as always : Georgia Adams back of the day for excellent tacticle decision: Zoe Watts player of the match for excellent awareness at the lineout and excelling in open play with some very strong runs