Swale League Division Four East – Caldicot 29-22 Chepstow

IF rugby sides have a "get out of jail free card" then surely Caldicot used theirs in this incident-packed local derby.

Chepstow have started the new season with two straight defeats and before kick-off one of their supporters joked that the Review photographer should take up a spot behind the visitors' posts.

But for 50 minutes that seemed poor advice as Chepstow raced into an 8-17 lead midway through the first half and were facing 14 men from early in the second half as the referee reached for a straight red card when the Cot's fly-half was judged guilty of foul play.

It was a decisive moment in the game which seemed to galvanise Caldicot into action.

Caldicot had started the game positively, forcing a series of early penalties and turning the pressure into points with the opening try of the game but converted tries by Chepstow full-back Simon Thomas and Number 8 Zak Watson put the visitors in control.

Caldicot scrum-half Eamonn Rees reduced the deficit with a try he converted himself after taking on the kicking duties.

Captain Richard Shuck put Caldicot back in front but it was a late try from Number 8 Joe McLean that sealed the points – and first bonus point – for the home side who maintain their 100 per cent league record after wins at home to Abertysswg and away at Oakdale.

Caldicot manager Chris Gray said: "It's always a hard game against Chepstow and we seemed to be asleep in the first half.

"There were some harsh words at half-time but I was pleased at the way we came back."