Caldy Vs Doncaster - Championship

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VS

President’s Welcome Graham Armitage

Well, time flies and I extend a very warm welcome to you all today for this our last home game of the season against Doncaster Knights. And what a season this has been with some notable victories against a number of top sides and having achieved our objective of maintaining Championship status for another year in this the second tier of national rugby. For this we need to extend our congratulations and sincere thanks to our DOR Gareth Davies and Head Coach Matt Cairns, their coaching teams and the squad for their outstanding efforts with such limited resources in comparison with other fully professional and semi professional teams in the league. I also need to thank you the club members and supporters for turning out in such substantial numbers for our home games this season, and who can forget our trip to Jersey when around 400 made the trip to support our team. You really did make the difference at times and proved to be the 16th. man on the pitch on several occasions. Last week Caldy travelled to Ealing to face the league leaders on a sunny day on their artificial pitch whilst resting some key players on the day. Caldy started well, having first given away an early try, to level the scores and after 30 minutes were only 21-14 behind but were gradually worn down following an excellent attacking and free running performance by the home team. Despite having our own attacking moments, each time Ealing attacked they

seemed to score whereas the reverse was true for Caldy whose overall display probably deserved a slightly better return. Credit to Ealing though, there is a reason that they are top of the league and if they beat Jersey today they will have fully deserved the right to promotion to the Premiership which yet again will be denied them this season.Today we welcome Doncaster Knights for their first ever trip to Paton Field, having lost our previous encounter at Castle Park on Boxing Day last year. That game in many ways was similar to the Ealing match last Saturday with Caldy competitive early on and Doncaster capitalising on a number of mistakes and eventually gaining complete control and winning handsomely by full time. We hope we will be considerably more competitive on home turf and will be attempting to level up results later this afternoon. Today’s game therefore presents a further challenge against a Doncaster side in mid table who will be determined to put a recent run of poor results behind them which has prevented them from challenging for further honours. The Knights have a tremendous facility at Castle Park and with plans in place are the only Championship team that can at present qualify for Premiership Rugby if they were to gain promotion. That will not happen this season but will no doubt be very much on their agenda in seasons to come. They have a number of quality players who presented us with problems

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.

We have had some fantastic speakers join us – Ian Ayre, Simon Halliday, Kenny Logan, Lawrence Dallagio, and most recently, former England and International Rugby Player Charlie Hodgson.

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n Two breakfast invites for the guest speaker events per quarter

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

n Entry into the International ticket ballot

n Logo and write up on the Caldy RFC website

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

n Free entry to Caldy 7’s

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in our previous fixture, and will no doubt be extremely competitive today. Doncaster rugby club were formed in 1875 and for many years played junior Yorkshire rugby, at one stage venturing into the breakaway Northern Union for a few years around 1900. In the 1950’s they moved to their current location in Armthorpe Road but it wasn’t until 1979 that they made their mark in rugby union winning the Yorkshire Shield. At the introduction of the leagues in 1987 they were playing at Level 10 Yorkshire 2 and by 1997 had progressed to North 1. A year or so later they were in the National Leagues and on the back of a Lottery grant built a new clubhouse in 2000. This was the precursor to further development and by 2010 the club had achieved Championship status. Apart from one season they have remained at this level ever since having finished 2nd and 3rd during this period, on one occasion almost achieving promotion to the Premiership. We hope that, whatever the result today, the Knights enjoy the Caldy experience on this their first ever visit to Paton Field. We welcome their Chairman Tony DeMulder, Will Foers their Secretary and General Manager Neil Holmes and his wife Alison who are hopefully joining us for lunch today. Today we celebrate our Past Players Reunion with almost 300 attending lunch and our sincere thanks must go in particular to Roger Flashman for yet again organising and presiding over this event. Roger is stepping down as Club Secretary at the end of the season after numerous years of service for which he has our utmost gratitude, and will no doubt be saying a few words during lunch. Our thanks also go to those who are travelling some distance to attend today including those from as far afield as Australia and look forward to

an excellent lunch with the promise of a tremendous match to follow.Our season would not have been possible without the tremendous efforts of our 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. 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 and volunteers without whom the club could not effectively function. Thanks once again to all of our members, supporters and spectators for your incredible support so far this season. Your contribution as previously mentioned 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 earned another shot at Championship rugby next season so hopefully we can look forward to your continuing support today and going forward, not only in terms of attendance, but also, if you can, in terms of sponsorship in whatever form. If you wish to become a member/purchase a season ticket or help us in any other 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 celebrate this wonderful game of ours in the spirit intended, renewing old friendships and possibly sharing a few drinks in the traditional way after the game.

Graham Armitage

Today’s Opponents

Doncaster Knights

Having run Ealing Trailfinders right to the wire at the top of the Championship table last season, Doncaster lost some key faces to Premiership and United Rugby Championship contracts, as well as a few to opportunities outside the UK and one making the switch to Rugby League.After an intensive pre-season, two friendly matches at Castle Park against Premiership opposition were a tough awakening for Steve Boden’s new-look team before heading into a big match-up against Ealing away from home in Round 1.Despite a couple of early stumbles, against Ealing and Nottingham on the road, the Knights secured positive home results, including a 50-point day against Bedford Blues on a sunny afternoon at Castle Park.Injuries struck the Knights team hard, especially in the pack, enforcing new faces to be brought in mid-season and alterations to be made to set piece calls and line-ups.The second half of the season has undoubtably been tough for the Knights, however, there is still the glimmer of silverware hope with a Championship Cup semi-final against Ealing on Coronation weekend fast approaching.For today, the challenge will be not only Caldy but the prospect of a first ever run-out at Paton Field. Having welcomed back some key individuals from the rehab room in recent weeks, the Knights will be looking for a strong team performance to build into the final run up to the semi-final clash in London.

Three to watch!

Conor Davidson

Position: Prop

Height: 185 cm

Weight: 114kg

DOB:1996

Loosehead prop Conor Davidson arrived in Doncaster in October 2021 as crucial injury cover for the Knights. Making the switch from Manly RUFC in New South Wales, the front rower arrived ready to test himself in the Championship and chalk up game time.It would be fair to say the prop then experienced a stellar season – playing 16 games and becoming an indispensable part of the Knights pack. Conor quickly became a favourite amongst Knights fans, teammates and staff. An incredibly difficult start to the 2022/23 season saw Conor seriously injured and ruled out for almost 5 months in Round 3 against Richmond. Returning against Coventry just 4 short weeks ago, it is clear the Aussie has lost none of his drive, talent, or commitment. A threat to any defensive line and a boulder to get past in attack, Conor can create headaches for many oppositions

Connor Edwards

Billy McBryde

Position: Centre

Height: 187 cm

Weight: 104kg

DOB: 1997

Centre Connor Edwards originally arrived in Doncaster on a loan deal from Welsh URC side Dragons in March 2021. Soon becoming a regular feature in the Knights team, touching down for crucial tries, the Welshman earned himself a full-time contract.Making 48 Knights appearances thus far, Connor also had loan spells with fellow Championship sides Jersey Reds and Hartpury before heading to Yorkshire.With a very combative style of play, Connor often causes havoc to opposition midfields with his harsh carries into contact or his barnstorming line-breaks. It is also far from unheard of for him to inflict big hits on any opposition looking to cut a line down his channel. Connor heads into every game intent on inflicting his influence on both defence and attack

Position: FullBack/Flyhalf

Height: 182 cm

Weight: 93kg

DOB: 1996

Full back/fly half Billy McBryde joined the Knights in the summer of 2020 as the Welsh Premiership’s top points scorer having notched up 163 points, including 6 tries, for RGC 1404 – a team for whom he also played 50 consecutive games.Since arriving in Doncaster, it would be fair to say that Billy has become a firm fan-favourite. His performances on the pitch and friendly demeanour off the turf quickly endeared him to the Castle Park faithful.Making his 50th Knights appearance today at Paton Field, moments like his length of the pitch interception tries against Ealing Trailfinders – a feat he mastered both at home and away – and Nottingham will live long in the memories of many Doncaster fans.Billy faced injury and new competition at the beginning of this season, but his commitment and merits have seen him claiming the full-back berth on consecutive occasions throughout the second half of the season.

That Friday Feeling John Lyon

Caldy are in action at Paton Field in the last home Championship fixture of the season . It is another very tough fixture against Caldy’s geographically closest Championship rivals ,Doncaster Knights.

Head Coach Matt Cairns is under no illusions as to just how difficult this is going to be. “We are pleased to have given a good account of ourselves in our first season in the Championship but it is always a huge challenge to play against the full time professional clubs like Doncaster. We were hammered 5214 in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day. On Saturday we will need as big a support as we can muster to improve on that performance. A noisy and supportive home crowd will make a difference and I hope the Wirral public will come out in force to see a very good Doncaster Knights team and help the lads to improve on our Boxing Day showing at Castle Park.”

Caldy’s 2nd xv put their record breaking 69 game unbeaten run on the line when they travel to Jersey’s community side Jersey RFC. Jersey RFC who play in the Hampshire 1 league which contains teams like Portsmouth and Winchester, won all 21 league fixtures this season scoring an average of over 50 points a

game whilst conceding only 8 points a game !

Caldy’s 2nd xv Head Coach Andrew Soutar admitted that this will be a very tough fixture.

“Jersey invited us across to take on their Jersey RFC side who in a couple of weeks will be playing National League Guernsey RFC in the historic Siam Cup which is played between the two Channel Islands annually. We are hugely looking forward to tomorrow’s game which is a first for Caldy’s 2nd xv and we are very appreciative of the significant financial contribution that Jersey RFC have made towards our travel and accommodation costs. This will be a big challenge for our young team but I am sure that the squad will give a good account of themselves”

A message from Tim Kilpatrick

“We need everyone’s support this weekend – Minis, Juniors, Girls, Colts, Women & Touch rugby - all Caldy RFC Community members are welcome!

Sunday - Good luck to all our Minis playing either Wilmslow or Whitchurch Festivals & Juniors playing Stockport Caldy Junior Colts have the Cheshire u18s Plate Final - Caldy v Marple

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Ealing 73-14 Caldy

In their last league home game of the season, Ealing Trailfinders ran in 11 tries to stay a point ahead of Jersey Reds ahead of next week’s Championship decider on the island.

On the day of his 50th appearance for the club, Simon Uzokwe led the team out and then it took him only a minute to get the scoring underway. The openside ran the perfect support line after Jack Digby made a strong break and was able to muscle over. Caldy however didn’t back down, and ten minutes later they levelled the scores up, as Louis Beer scored in the corner after the visitors made use of their overlap. Despite this, Trailfinders reclaimed control of the game through Alun Walker, as the hooker claimed a brace inside five minutes. The first came on the back of a rolling maul and then the second saw him splinter off to crash over on his own!

On the 25th minute Reuben Birch dotted down from close range for the visitors, but this was where there scoring ended as Trailfinders were able to cut loose.

Luke Daniels grabbed his first just before the half hour mark and then with a few minutes left to play in the half, the hosts scored their best of the day. An intricate, pre-planned move saw Craig Hampson putting Andrew Davidson through a hole and the second-row was able to gallop in from 25 metres out.

Then, with the half-time whistle approaching, Max Bodilly made a delicious break before fending off the final defender to score. Steven Shingler added the conversion to the score Ealing Trailfinders 40-14 Caldy.

The second 40 didn’t start quite as quickly as the first, as it took ten minutes for replacement hooker Shaun Malton to grab his first. Caldy then had their best chance to score in the second-half, but the Trailfinders defence stood firm and then they completed the clearance by winning a big penalty at the scrum.

On the 65th minute mark, Malton added his second as he weaved in and out of the last few defenders to score.

Three minutes later, Daniels was on the end of a large overlap to cross in the corner, before intelligently scampering under the sticks to make his own conversion easier.

As the game drew to its conclusion, there was just about time for two late scores. First Dan Lancaster put a cross field kick to Jonah Holmes on a sixpence to allow the fullback to run in the try from halfway without even breaking stride. Then, in the final play of the game, the ball found it’s way to Nathan Earle, and the winger accelerated clear to dot down on his return from injury.

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Caldy Coach’s Report Matt Cairns

Welcome back to Paton field for our last home game of the season. I’m sure it’s going to be a great afternoon and the last chance to support the lads this season from JJ’s Bank! We’ve had a tough few weeks after confirming our Championship status against London Scottish. We should’ve beaten Pirates away after a good performance but we took a tough defeat last week against Ealing, who I’m sure we’re looking for revenge after our Historic win earlier in January!!

It has been an unbelievable

season with regular crowds of near 2000 at Paton field and very bit of support was needed in these games to get the results we have achieved. It was a tough season and I feel Will openly get tougher next year! Please keep supporting and bringing friends along to get behind the lads as every bit helps!

Today we welcome another Full time team who gave us a real beating on Boxing Day. It will be another tough game today and hopefully we can pull together for a huge effort and give the Bank something to celebrate

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Today’s Squad vs Doncaster Knights