11th November 2011

SOMERSET RUGBY: Hornets on the horizon!

THE leagues took a rest on Saturday last, and Chard, after a very successful start to their campaign, took a complete rest and played no rugby at any level.

Crewkerne took what was a rather depleted side to Bridport to take on their second side.

I too took myself to Bridport to watch the cup round between the home side and Lytchett Minster of the Hampshire league.

CREWKERNE, although a wedding took several of its squad members, fielded a rather depleted side at Bridport and were comfortably beaten 28-7.

PREVIEW

After what will have been a very welcome break, CHARD play their most important game of the season so far when they take on HORNETS at home.

The Weston-super-Mare side gained promotion to the Western Counties (North) Division as champions last April, with Chard joining them via a play-off.

I remember watching a game between the sides last spring when Chard won by a distance (80 points I believe), but any reference to this encounter as regards form is pointless in the extreme.

The Park Field side played exceptional rugby football on that occasion, but Hornets have proved themselves to be a far better side than they showed on that day, both before and since.

Both sides have great starts to their respective current league campaigns and lie at the top of the table, and one may depend that the visitors will be determined to erase memories of that occasion.

I feel that a full strength home side is capable of edging this one after an "eyeballs out" full-on encounter.

It will be close however and the game should not be missed.

On the other hand, CREWKERNE have a game that they should win. They entertain TOR 2nd who are very up and down this season and I do not see them competing with the Henhayes brigade, certainly in the front five.

As to the second sides, Chard seconds should certainly win at their Ivel Barbarians counterparts.

While Chard thirds will need all their experience, together with a goodly supply of low animal cunning if they are to come out on top of Wyvern, home advantage notwithstanding.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE;

Some two weeks ago, and buoyed up by their win, several members of the Honiton third XV continued their celebrations into the evening, making a visit to a local hostelry.

After some time their attention was drawn, by the landlord, to his closed circuit television monitor.

It showed a view of the yard at the rear of the premises where a couple were demonstrating their eternal love and affection to the ultimate degree.

At this point all other activities in the pub ceased. The darts and cribbage were abandoned, and even the shove halfpenny board was deserted pro temp as the clientele gathered, with spectacles changing hands at something of a premium, to view the more athletic and spontaneous entertainment on offer via the small screen.

All things come to an end however, and this was no different.

The participants, blissfully unaware that their personal and private frolicking was now in the public domain, then entered the establishment where, to their surprise and bewilderment, they were greeted with a generous round of applause, and a call for three hearty cheers.

They were subsequently appraised as to the reasons for their sudden popularity and their bewilderment turned quickly into embarrassment, and they left the premises with alacrity.

I'll bet that the CCTV installer's sales team never thought of selling this particular benefit to its customers!

Fixtures 12th November:

Chard v Hornets (home); Chard 2nd v Ivel 2nd (away); Chard 3rd v Wyvern (home); Crewkerne v Tor 2nd (home).