After a well below par performance against Sidmouth last weekend Chard got back to winning ways with an effective display against a competitive Paignton side, writes Glyn Hughes.

In truth it was a somewhat scrappy performance, but a win is a win however it comes and it was a bonus point victory as well!

Chard were in front almost immediately, when they were awarded an early penalty and Charlie Roberts made no mistake to give the home side a 3-0 lead.

Chard have an annoying habit of giving away too many penalties and firstly Paignton full back Mike Sandercock slotted one over before fly half David Siddall added a second from the half way line.

Despite several long term absentees in the pack Chard competed well in the forwards and Luke Hill who was switched to the front row due to a late withdrawal burst through to score Chards opening try.

The usually reliable boot of Roberts failed with the conversion, but Chard led 8-6. Roberts, who had a good game in general play would not have the best of days off the kicking tee and missed two gettable penalties but shortly before half time he was on hand to convert Chards second try which came again from good forward play which resulted in a fine try for Max Gosden and the teams trooped off at half-time with Chard holding a 15-6 lead.

Chard upped their game at the beginning of the second half and showed that when they play to their strengths and don’t mess about in their own 22 they can unlock most defences.

The hardworking Joe Mainwaring who improves with every game scored try number three to put Chard further ahead and although the conversion was missed the lead was now 20-6.

Almost immediately from the kick-off, Chard had too much to say to the referee and were rightly penalised and Sandercock duly kicked the goal to reduce the arrears by three points.

With the score now at 20-9, Paignton were right back in the game, but Roberts showed some deft skills to send the ball out to Ryan Wingate on the right wing and he outpaced his opposite number to score in the corner to not only put Chard well ahead but also giving them a bonus point for scoring four tries or more.

Paignton gave it a real good go in the final 10 minutes, but the Chard defence held firm despite having a player sent to the bin for a deliberate offence and they fully deserved to get their fifth win of the season.

Once again several players deserve recognition notably Scott Johnson and Warren Lewis in the second row, but a special mention for coach Jim Wagstaff is needed as he stepped in at the last minute to play at flanker and was still in one piece at the end having played the entire match!

Next Saturday (November 18) Chard do not have a league game but return to action the following week with a tough game away at St Ives in Cornwall.