Falmouth Eagles 31-27 Chard Western Counties League report

The game got off to the worst possible start for Falmouth as the home side conceded a try in the opening two minutes. Chard had a lineout on the right of play, the ball was cleanly fed through the numbers to the opposite wing to Huw Edwards.

The winger danced his way around the defender before crashing over in the corner to take the ascendency. The following conversion from a tight angle was missed to make it 0-5

Falmouth responded well to this, however, with Tom Spiller pinning Chard back with a number of pinpoint kicks. Spiller, playing at fly-half narrowed the scores with seven minutes played with a penalty kick to make it 3-5.

Before scoring another penalty this time for an offside in the ninth minute to give Falmouth a 6-5 lead.

But once again Chard came back fighting and after a sustained spell of pressure, they got their try in the same corner as the first. This time scrum half Ross Colenso crossed over and impressively the tight angled kick was nailed by Niall Crouch to make it 6-12.

Prior to this game, Falmouth had only won twice all season, so fans may have been forgiven for fearing the worst but once again their team rallied and got a well-deserved try with 28 minutes played.

Relentless pressure forced Chard to retreat to their own try line, and after countless phases, it was number eight Joe Martin who picked a gap in the defence to score from close range. With Spiller again taking the kicking honours to make it 13-12. 

Tom Spiller curls a conversion in off the post for Falmouth

Rather than resting on their slim lead, the hosts went in search of another and six minutes later were celebrating again when Ollie Evans scored his first try of the afternoon.

From a ruck beneath the posts, Spiller flung the ball wide to Evans who expertly re-adjusted his frame to catch the ball before beating his man to score. Spiller this time wasn't so accurate with the conversion and Falmouth had a mere five-point lead at 18-12.

Chard were a side fourth in the table and demonstrated their strength and willingness to get back in the game with a try that Falmouth will feel they should have defended better.

After a ruck from metres out scrum-half Colenso feinted to pass the ball but instead changed direction, flummoxing in the Falmouth man and allowing the Chard nine a simple try. 

Following another successful conversion to make it 18-19, the Eagles did squander a chance to go into the break as Spiller missed a lengthy penalty kick in the dying moments of the half.

The away side restarted the second half on the front foot and were rewarded for their endeavours with just three minutes played.

Crouch converted a penalty from a similar position to where Spiller had not been as successful as the away side extended their lead 18-22.

There was a lengthy delay following the next attack though as Falmouth's Kaden Cobbs was forced off with what looked to be a nasty shoulder injury. 

Undeterred by this the Eagles kept flying at the Chard defence, so much was the Falmouth pressure Chard were rarely able to step out of their half, with the visitors regularly putting bodies on the line to defy Falmouth. 

A prime example of this was with 58 minutes played Kofi Campling, playing at centre, was denied just footsteps away from the try line with an exceptional tackle. 

Falmouth did get back in the game on the hour mark with yet another penalty. Spiller opted to take on the easy kick from the 22 and Falmouth were now trailing by just one point 21-22. 

This was the incentive that Chard needed as the well-supported side looked to grab the next points of the game, the following minutes saw the Somerset side camped in the Falmouth 22. 

Falmouth though were patient, and resolute in the tackle and got the break they deserved when a loose pass was flung by the visitors.

It fell perfectly for winger Nick Carne who instinctively collected the ball before sprinting the length of the pitch to score, much to the delight of the Falmouth team and supporters.

The conversion didn't match the try meaning Falmouth led 26-22 with just under ten minutes to go. 

There is a saying that attack is the best form of defence and the Eagles demonstrated this in their next swooping attack with the try that ultimately won them the match. 

On the right side Spiller was involved again there was quick passing and movement from the hosts as the ball was spun to the extra man Ollie Evans to dive over right in the corner.

Again the kick from a tight angle was missed and Falmouth had a nail-biting end to the game if they were to see out the win. 

The dying minutes as expected were crammed with Chard pressure, the visitors did earn themselves a try right at the death when centre Ben Fenton did well to hop past his man to score. 

But the conversion was missed and Falmouth held on to celebrate a 31-27 victory, which was their first since a 59-29 win over Honiton on October 30. 

Next up for Falmouth is an away match to Wadebridge on Saturday, February 5.