Caldy Vs Ealing Trailfinders

President’s Welcome Graham Armitage

A very warm welcome to you all today including our visitors from Ealing Trailfinders for our reconvened match following the postponement due to bad weather last month. Hopefully the conditions will be slightly more clement on this occasion.

Last week Caldy faced a difficult away trip to Doncaster on Boxing Day and so it proved on the day with the away side eventually losing by 52 points to 14. It was not all one way traffic as the score may suggest with Caldy 19-14 behind with approximately half an hour of the game remaining. This seemed to flick a switch with the home team who retained the ball and moved it wide to which Caldy could not seem to find an answer and in the process giving away 33 unanswered points by the final whistle. A hard lesson and one which our coaches will no doubt be analysing before today’s game. A difficult trip home on the coach with heavy rain and snow over the Pennines together with a windscreen wiper failure did little to lift the spirits of the Caldy travelling party.

Our visitors today hardly require any introduction, having won the league last year and currently occupying top spot having been unbeaten in

the league this season. Ealing played their first game in 1869 on Ealing Common prior to the formation of the RFU two years later. In the early days they played famous clubs such as Harlequins, London Irish, Richmond and Wasps maintaining a 75% win record for a period of time before the turn of the century. The club moved ground on many occasions between 1894 and 1958 and in 1999 relocated to their current venue at the Trailfinders sportsground in West Ealing. In 1987 they finished top of London 1 and were promoted to National 4 and alternated between these two leagues until 1996 when they were relegated from London 1. Since the turn of the century however it has been one way traffic in terms of advancement through the leagues to their current lofty position chasing promotion to the Premiership.

Whilst this will no doubt be our toughest encounter to date, it will be an opportunity for Caldy with home advantage to test themselves once again, and continue to build on our ambition to become a regular fixture at Championship level. Whatever the result we hope that Trailfinders and their supporters enjoy the Caldy experience today if the match goes ahead on this

Caldy Rugby Business Club

Caldy Rugby Club, Paton Field, Telegraph Road, Wirral, CH48 1NX

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Caldy Rugby Business Club has built a membership of 25+ businesses; a number that is always growing as we have new members join. This has provided a solid foundation for commercial activities at the club.

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Annual membership fee of £500 +VAT plus £250 joining fee.

Pitchside advertising board at Caldy RFC for your business

Two Caldy RFC season tickets –enabling you and a guest to attend Caldy RFC home games at Paton Field

Two breakfast invites for the guest speaker events per quarter

Company logo in the Caldy RFC matchday programme – 15 per season

Entry into the International ticket ballot

Logo and write up on the Caldy RFC website

Priority booking for the hire of the Club house for events, parties, meetings

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If you are interested in joining Caldy Rugby Business Club, please contact Jonathan Kemp at Jonathan@aev.co.uk www.caldyrugbyclub.com/business-club

their first ever visit to Paton Field.

Off the pitch we have continued to upgrade our facilities with further improvements to the floodlighting and to the bank now virtually complete. Other improvements have been carried out to satisfy Championship requirements both on and off the field and within the clubhouse areas. Our thanks go to all those responsible for putting in so much effort in such a limited timescale to ensure that we can all enjoy the level of rugby that is now on offer, and to our sponsors who have made this financially possible.

Our thanks must also go to our team of ground staff, the Last of the Summer Wine (LOSW for short), who freely give enormous amounts of their time to produce and maintain the standard of pitches that we all possibly take a little too much for granted. You only had to be here for the pre -season game against Sale Sharks and the recent home games to appreciate the wonderful aspect and playing facilities that the club now has to offer. I also need to mention the contribution of all those involved in the day to day operation and management of the club including our bar, catering and other members of staff without whom the club could not effectively function.

Thanks also to all of our members, supporters and spectators for your incredible support so far this season and hopefully going forward as we continue to face the mounting challenges ahead.

We have an exciting fixture against Richmond next week and need all the support we can muster. Your contribution cannot be underestimated and is an essential part of our effort to maintain our status with our centenary season just around the corner. We have certainly benefitted from larger crowds as a result of promotion, so let’s all get fully behind our team in the weeks and months ahead come wind, rain or shine and give them the positive support and encouragement they deserve. We have increased the capacity for our prematch lunches which are becoming increasingly popular and are available to book on line. If you wish to do this or become a member/purchase a season ticket or help us in any way please refer to our website for further details. Finally, I sincerely hope that you enjoy your visit to Caldy today, come win lose or draw, and that we can all fully appreciate the fantastic level of rugby now on offer at Paton Field. Let’s enjoy this wonderful game of ours in the spirit intended, making new friendships on each occasion and hopefully celebrating whatever the result with a few drinks in the traditional way after the game.

Graham Armitage

Today’s Opponents Cornish Pirates

Ealing Trailfinders - A Brief History

Founded in 1871, Ealing were one of the original clubs set up in London, regularly playing the likes of Wasps, London Irish, Harlequins, Richmond and Blackheath.

Various different locations in and around West London eventually saw them settle at Trailfinders Sports Club at the turn of the century, which coincided with their rapid rise through the leagues.

From being relegated from London 1 in 1996, Ealing were promoted to the Championship less than 20 years later as they topped the National One table in 2012/13. Steady improvement has seen Trailfinders be challengers in the league ever since the 2016/17 where they finished 3rd, before finishing second a year later. After the covid affected season which saw Saracens go up in a playoff, Trailfinders final emerged victorious and won the league last season, before being denied promotion for failing to meet the minimum standards criteria.

The 2022/23 Season Thus Far

It has been a very strong start to the defence of their Championship title for Ealing Trailfinders. They are currently unbeaten in the league and in the cup, and the only game where they haven’t secured a bonus point as well as the victory was in their Championship Cup tie against Jersey Reds, who were also unbeaten at the time.

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the Trailfinders, with some tough fixtures away at Nottingham and Cornish Pirates, and a tricky opening day clash against Doncaster Knights, but Ealing have always used their bench well to ensure a strong final 20 which often sees them stretch clear of their opponents.

With an ‘A’ game happening at Ulster yesterday, the Ealing squad are somewhat stretched this weekend, but those involved are all looking forward to making the trip north to enjoy Caldy, the clubhouse and their supporters!

Three to watch!

Ever since joining from Australia at the start of this season, Tizzano has hit the ground running at Trailfinders Sports Club. The openside is currently top of the league’s try scoring with ten scores in just eight games, despite the fact he’s a forward! Although try scoring hasn’t always been a key part of his game, putting in impressive performances has been! A product of the Rugby WA Academy in Perth, Carlo quickly progressed to play for the Western Force in the National Rugby Championship before he was picked up by the Waratahs. Several covid affected seasons saw him play in the majority of games in the various Super Rugby tournaments throughout the last few years as he developed his craft. One of the standout performers at the World Rugby U20 Championship, as well as playing a key role in Australia’s undefeated Oceania Rugby U20 Championship campaign, Carlo will be looking for another strong performance up at Paton Field this weekend.

Hampson

Hampson joined Ealing Trailfinders from Premiership side Wasps three years ago and he has been an influential part of Ben Ward’s outfit ever since. The scrum-half’s professional career started at Yorkshire Carnegie, where he was named in the Championship Dream Team after the 2013/14 season. He spent time at Bristol before moving to Wasps in 2015, initially as injury cover before securing a permanent contract. He made 30 appearances in a Wasps shirt, battling with the likes of Dan Robson and Joe Simpson for the number nine shirt. The 31-year-old is viewed in very high regard by the Ealing coaching team, being involved in every single Championship fixture last season. Hampson is a versatile scrum-half who is can adapt his game to suit the encounter. He is a strong game manager, supplies quick ball and is always looking for gaps around the fringes of the ruck!

Craig

Despite a strong and impressive list of recent recruits, Holmes was the headline signing for Ealing over the off-season. The back-three player grew up in Ealing at attended local school, St Benedict’s, before signing with Wasps in 2010. He played at Wasps, Rosslyn Park, Henley Hawks and London Welsh before moving up to Yorkshire Carnegie in 2013. He scored 50 tries over four seasons at Headingly, and this record attracted the interest of Leicester Tigers. He moved to Welford Road in 2017 and enjoyed a highly successful stint, touching down for 24 tries over three seasons. This beckoned his international call-up, which came in November 2018. He made his Wales debut at fullback in the 74-24 win over Tonga before making his Six Nations debut in 2019, helping Wales to a 26-15 victory over Italy. He moved to Trailfinders Sports Club from the Dragons where he had scored 14 tries in 31 matches. He has settled into life well in W13 and comes into this game off the back of playing for the Barbarians a few weeks ago against Northampton Saints.

That Friday Feeling

John Lyon

Happy New Year!

Here is hoping everyone has a great 2023 and that at Caldy we continue to enjoy our journey in the English Rugby Championship. As the great Yogi Berra once said tomorrow’s game is “Deja vu all over again”. We welcome our visitors from Ealing Trailfinders for the game that was postponed on the 23rd December. When The Ealing officials confirmed they would be coming to the pre –match lunch regardless of whether the game had to be postponed we had to arrange for the lunch to go ahead with or without rugby. And the Caldy faithful, with only a few dropping out, came to the lunch and for once didn’t have to worry about going out in the cold to watch the rugby. Whether Ealing went back with a deeper insight into the Caldy psyche I am not too sure, but the people who could remember the long lunch thought it was great fun. Well done to Scrivs, and everyone involved.

Having practiced his speech already, I am sure that our President will once again welcome our visitors with great warmth and wish them all the very, very best for the season. We were told at a recent Championship Clubs meeting that next season one club will be promoted to the Championship from National One. With regards to relegation if Ealing Trailfinders pass the Premiership Grounds Audit, to be held this month, and win the Championship then they will be promoted to the Premiership and there will be no relegation. If they do not pass the Audit, or do not win the Championship, then one team will be relegated from the Championship at the end of the season. Whether Worcester and Wasps play in the Championship next season or not, will affect the number of clubs playing in the Championship but will not affect relegation or promotion at the end of this season. So, we wish Ealing

all the very, very best for 2023 and they most definitely have our best wishes for promotion at the end of the season.

Boxing Day saw Caldy play Doncaster Knights away at Castle Park. It was our biggest defeat of the season so far and I can’t help but harbour the thought that playing the day after Xmas celebrations would suit a professional team more than us. As someone who didn’t abandon their longstanding Boxing Day commitment to cook a Turkey Curry for our family to enable me to travel to Doncaster to watch the game, I am in the camp that rugby remains a sport, rather than a profession, and that it is a lot to ask of players, coaches, and supporters. Playing in the Championship, however, brings certain responsibilities and clubs have a duty, and need, to generate large crowds and boost income and it is a price we must pay for the honour of being in the second tier of English rugby. On the day our boys met a very fit and efficient Doncaster team who capitalised on our mistakes to give us our biggest defeat of the season to date. Well played, Doncaster Knights! Ealing are sitting top of the

Championship for a very good reason – they are a very, very good side. With a large, professional squad under the guidance of Ben Ward their DOR, as well as a panel of full - time professional coaches, they are certainly set up to compete in the Premiership. Certainly, no one could argue that their owner and benefactor, Mike Gooley, does not deserve to see his team playing in the Premiership. Under his overall guidance they now have great facilities, a very strong Academy (and when we were in National One we would play against Ealing academy players on occasions), have set up a Foundation and their Women’s team has now been accepted into the Women’s Premiership. With international players in their ranks as well as young players predicted to reach the highest level, it will certainly be a test for Caldy. However, this is the joy of being in the Championship – a chance for our players to test themselves against the very best. And, at the end of the day, it is 15 against 15 and our players have shown reputations do not intimidate them and our coaches will have been planning and working hard in readiness for the game.

With Adam Aigbokhae still suspended and Andy Darlington on his honeymoon, this has meant we have had to call on Sale Sharks prop Joe Jones and Jack Parker makes a very welcome return to the squad. It is also great to see Lewis Barker returning after 18 months following his AQCL injury

The Caldy Team is: Rushton, Hearn, Jones, Sanders, Birch, Crowe, JJ Dickinson, Ridgway, Murray, Hayes, Beer, Barlow, Bibby, Royle, Gourlay. Subs: Parker, Clarke, Higginson, Gerrard, Olyott, Pilgrim, Barker, Hinchcliffe. Whilst it is great to play against the top sides in the Championship there is a mini league going on at the bottom of the table. As this is written Caldy are 2nd from bottom of the table on 13 points with London Scottish on 9 points and Ampthill on 15 points with all to play for. On the 14th January we play Richmond, a team we beat away after a great comeback, and our coaches will most certainly be targeting that as a game we will aim to win. If you can, make sure you come along, bring a friend, and lift the lads with roars of support from the Bank. Our 2nd team are also playing tomorrow. It is a double header

That Friday Feeling -

away at Burnage, with our home game having been called off by Burnage earlier in the season. The 2nd team to play is: Williams, Bretherton, Oostyhuzen, Stagg, Chandigere, Holmes, Joe Sanders, Spencer – Woff, Davidson, Cross, Kelly, Greenway, Jones, Parry, Ainscough, Gaughan, Isaac, White, Smith, Thomas, Cooke, Jones, Windell

Let us hope the lads keep their unbeaten run going! Finally, please be considerate of our neighbours on match days and do not park on Pikes Hey Road.

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Caldy secured their first home win of the season in Pool C of the Championship Cup against Ampthill in challenging conditions at Paton Field on Saturday. Both sides had chances from the league match a fortnight ago and it was the visitors who started the better and took the lead after just four minutes. After a successful scrum in the midfield the ball went wide, a great interplay between Josh Skelcey and Jackson saw Jackson going over for the opening score of the afternoon.

From the restart, Caldy looked

Caldy 17 - 13 Ampthill

to bounce back immediately and were unlucky just minutes later. But the visitors knew that they wouldn’t have it all their own way.

Caldy were rewarded at the midway point of the first half after a rolling maul turned into a ruck which saw Ryan Higginson go over in the corner for his first of the season.

Caldy looked the more powerful of the two sides and were unfortunate to be penalised on the half hour allowing Conor Rankin to stretch the Ampthill lead to five points at Half time. Rankin scored the first points of

the second half through another penalty, however, this was the moment that the Caldy tide started to turn.

After two close misses from Ben Jones penalties, Caldy found the breakthrough they were looking for after a penalty advantage on the Ampthill 22 Metre line saw great cross-field play involving four players, which resulted in a try for Callum Ridgeway and the home side players and supporters were confident of a turnaround. The comeback was complete when Nye Thomas made a break of 50 meters which saw the ball go to another Caldy first XV

The final minutes of the game were a battle between both sides with the weather conditions not helping either side and unfortunately, Caldy Captain JJ Dickinson came off with what looked like a hamstring injury but will be assessed in the week.

Speaking after the match Head Coach Matt Cairns said about the performance “It’s always good to win and I think that’s what we needed, we are still finding our feet at this level and improving every week”.

debutant Ruben Birch who picked up the ball to score with his first touch.

Caldy Coach’s Report Matt Cairns

Happy new year to everyone as we welcome Ealing once again to Caldy. The cancelled game three weeks ago gave an opportunity for a rest and a full week to prepare for the game at Doncaster. This was a particularly difficult game for our lads as they were certainly not used to playing a game on Boxing Day. Unfortunately the result was not one we had hoped for and our error and penalty count was far too high. We will struggle to

compete against the full time teams if this is the case! As this is our first year at this level we are learning all the time and trying to adapt to the league in quicktime. We do feel there is improvement and I feel January will be a crucial month in our bid to survive. We know the challenge Ealing will provide and we will have to cut out our basic errors and improve our discipline if we are to compete with what is undoubtedly the best team in this league.

Andrew Soutar - Coach

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