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A very warm welcome to you all today including our visitors from Richmond for our first return league fixture of the season. We have already faced Richmond twice this season at the Athletic Ground having narrowly won the league fixture whilst losing the Cup fixture a few weeks later.
There is however only one place to start the report this week following the spectacular result last weekend against Ealing Trailfinders. An immense performance from a Caldy team who at one stage were 24 -7 behind but who grew in confidence throughout the game, assisted by the substantial vociferous home support on the day. A historic hat trick for Louis Beer on the wing, yet another trademark interception try from Nick Royle together with 3 conversions from Elliot Gourlay eventually secured 5 league points and a winning margin of 26 -24 on the day. This was however the result of a magnificent team performance with both forwards and backs fully contributing to possibly Caldy’s best ever result in terms of league rugby to date. Congratulations to Matt, Gareth and all involved including our supporters in creating a little bit of history and also a few headlines this week.
Richmond, our visitors today, have an illustrious rugby history, having been formed in 1861, taken part in the first
recorded inter club fixture against Blackheath in 1864, and went on to become one of the founder members of the RFU which was formed some ten years later. Their home has been at the Richmond Athletic Ground (RAG) since 1889, they played the first All Blacks touring side in 1905, and in the first match held at Twickenham in 1909. Subsequently they became one of the first teams to turn professional and achieved Premiership status in the 1997/8 season. Shortly afterwards due to financial pressures they went into administration and restarted life at the bottom of the league structure, a salutary reminder given the current situation in Premiership rugby. To their credit they worked their way back up the league structure, were awarded RFU Club of the Year for 2016 and despite the odd reverse have been playing Championship rugby since 2017.
They have had numerous famous players and multiple international caps over the years but none more so, in our eyes at least, than Stuart Maxwell, a former Old Caldeian who is hopefully joining us for lunch today. Stuart played for our 7’s team that won the Sunday Times Old Boys tournament at the RAG back in the late 60’s/early 70’s, but even more famously played for the Northern Counties team that beat the All Blacks around this time,
Caldy Rugby Club, Paton Field, Telegraph Road, Wirral, CH48 1NX
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.
Members will have access to a programme of quarterly breakfast events, with speakers from a wide range of commercial, business and sporting backgrounds.
Access to a range of partners, to whom Business Club members will have exclusive access to help develop their own business interests.
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
Free entry to Caldy 7’s
If you are interested in joining Caldy Rugby Business Club, please contact Jonathan Kemp at Jonathan@aev.co.uk www.caldyrugbyclub.com/business-club
scoring at least twice on the wing in the process.
Whilst today’s game will no doubt be another tough encounter, 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 Richmond and their supporters enjoy the Caldy experience today on this their first ever league 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 rugby at this level, 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 early season home games to appreciate the wonderful aspect and playing facilities that the club now has to offer. Despite an aggressive winter so far the guys have continued to produce wonderful playing surfaces despite the rain, snow and everything else the weather
has thrown at them. I must also 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 challenges ahead. Your contribution cannot be underestimated as was evident last week and is an essential part of our effort to maintain our status with our centenary season just around the corner. We are certainly benefiting from larger crowds as a result of promotion, so let’s all continue to 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 pre-match 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, renew old friendships and hopefully celebrate whatever the result with a few drinks in the traditional way after the game.
Graham Armitage
A win over London Scottish was a terrific way to finish the first half of this season. In horrible conditions in front of a packed RAG the Richmond pack dominated their opposition that contained nine Harlequins and one Glasgow player dual/registered or on loan. Sitting at 9th in the league table with twenty league points is a decent half way position.
The Championship is again a very tough league in which to compete. Picking up losing bonus points away at Cornish Pirates and Doncaster will be invaluable. We could have had another at Ealing and should have gained a win bonus versus the Scots. Even more valuable were the wins over Hartpury and Bedford currently well above us in the league table.
Mark Bright has lead the 1st XV superbly this season. We have a good mix of experienced and younger players in the 1st XV squad and at the same time run three other men’s teams in leagues each Saturday which all bodes well for the present and the future.
At the time of writing this we still have no idea what the Championship will look like next season. Currently there is relegation for the bottom club this season so there is still a good amount of work to do and points to accumulate. We need to continue to improve and become more consistent in our performances and those are very much the aims of the whole group.
Hill Director of Rugby Richmond FCConor joined RFC from Hartpury at the beginning of the season and has established himself as our first choice tight head. His scrumagging has been impressive whilst his work in defence is a real bonus for the team. Being typically irish a smile and joke are never far from his face but he takes his rugby very seriously. Away from rugby Conor works in recruitment in the legal sector.
Jake has been a member of the 1st XV squad for the last five seasons. He suffered a severe injury lastseason and has worked incredibly hard to get back to full fitness. After a couple of strong games in the Vikings (2nd team) Jake regained his place in the 1’s. Jake is a really intelligent player who’s understanding of the game is impressive. Jake works as a quantity surveyor.
Toby is one of the longest serving members of the current RFC squad, joining us from Leeds Beckett University as a hooker seven years ago. Subsequently he has turned himself into one of the most effective opensides in the league. His speed across the pitch and at the breakdown are impressive and as a senior player he now undertakes an important leadership role within the group. Toby is employed as a cybersecurity software saleman.
Previous Clubs: Tunbridge Wells RFC Beckenahm RFC
Jake Caddy - Wing
Previous Clubs: Harpenden RFC
Caldy 26 - Ealing Trailfinders 24 was more than just a great game of rugby, it had everything: David v Goliath, North v South, Speed, Size, Skill, Physicality, Discipline, Lack of Discipline, Red Cards, Yellow Cards, Panic, Composure, Commitment, Crowds, Top Officials, the gracious hitherto unbeaten league leaders and of course a Glorious Result.
The plaudits came from near and far. A congratulatory heartfelt message from John McNally and everyone at Birkenhead Park RFC, congratulations from Sale FC. Congratulations from a host of other clubs throughout the country, and from rugby enthusiasts from around the world.
All sparked by one short video clip of the last play of the game which racked up more than 500,000 views in 24 hours and has now recorded millions of views. The final scrum, the pass from Chris Pilgrim to Rhys Hayes, the outrageous skyscraper of a pass from Rhys to Louis Beer and of course the hat trick bonus point winning try from Louis. All of that was eclipsed by 20 or so Caldy Minis whose exuberant
and joyous celebration at the final whistle touched everyone. It was just the best demonstration of what Caldy RFC is all about. Gareth Davies and his coaching team will be working hard this week to prepare the squad for another huge home game against Richmond this Saturday. Gareth has been keen to stress the importance of another big supportive crowd to help the Ravers get over the line against one of their closest league rivals. It isn’t going to be easy as sides are now more aware of the impact of the Paton Field Bank. On Sunday the Rolling Maul rugby forum contained the following conversation: Coventry supporter “I don’t give much hope to Ampthill this coming weekend, travelling to Ealing”
Rosslyn Park supporter” I don’t give much hope to anyone heading to Paton Field!!!!” Richmond supporter “It just had to be us, didn’t it? Great scenes at the end at Caldy. Just a game my a***. C’mon The Mond!
Last week’s epic tussle against Ealing Trailfinders lifted everyone involved at Caldy and generated more press and media interest than Paton Field has hitherto been used to. All of it was positive and reflected well on every one involved at Caldy RFC. If there was any downside it can only be that expectations have been raised and the Ravers will probably never again be able to fly under the radar.
Tomorrow’s match at Paton Field has just as much significance as last week, possibly even more given Richmond is one of our closest league rivals in terms of league position. In the first league fixture at the RAG, Caldy pipped the home side 34-32 after a ‘worldy’ of a try by Nick Royle kick started a resurgence after the home side had threatened
to stretch away.
There is no doubt that Richmond will be up for the challenge and Caldy will need as much endeavour and composure as they showed last week if they are to take the vital league points.
This most important of matches kicks off at 2 pm at Paton Field and Director of Rugby, Gareth Davies, is looking for as much vociferous but good natured support and respectful as the Wirral can muster to help the team get over the line.
Head coach Matt Cairns has picked the following squad for the league match against Richmond which kicks off at 2 pm.at Paton Field.
Please do not park in Pikes hey Road it is not a car park . We must respect our neighbours.
Championship new boys Caldy up against the league leaders who hadn’t previously dropped a point was meant to be a foregone conclusion, but it wasn’t as Ealing’s Director of Rugby Ben Ward acknowledged. “We didn’t underestimate Caldy, we knew they were a strong side, and we were well prepared. Losing Ross Kane to a red card after 20 minutes wasn’t helpful but we coped pretty well and with a 24-7 lead we should have been able to close the game out but fair play to Caldy they came back at us hard. Once they gained the momentum, they had the composure to pick up the bonus point win”
Caldy’s Head Coach Matt Cairns was pleased with both the performance and the win. “We had to re group after
a chastening loss against Doncaster and during the week we worked on some specific aspects of our game. I was pleased the squad responded as well as they did. Obviously, we need to back it up with a good performance next week when we have another home game against Richmond
In an even and attritional first half of typical winter rugby it was the visitors’ extra sharpness that produced a brace of tries through hooker Jan Campher and centre Reuben BirdTulloch. With fly half Craig Willis slotting the conversions and a penalty Ealing ended the first half leading 17-0.
Early in the second half a trademark interception by Caldy flyer Nick Royle got the Ravers on the scoreboard,
but despite being down to 14 men after Kane’s dismissal, Ealing were now producing quality rugby and they quickly restored their 17-point advantage with Campher’s second try. Then the wheels came off!
On the 60-minute mark a barnstorming run by Caldy winger Louis Beer finished off an enterprising move to notch up the first of his three tries and change the course of the game. The vociferous Paton Field ‘Bank’ was rocking and so were the league leaders. As Caldy’s pack piled on the pressure Ealing’s discipline crumbled. Caldy were firmly on top. Beer backed up the rampant Caldy pack to drive over for his second score. Two yellow cards in as many minutes took Ealing down to 12 and
with seconds to spare a composed Caldy exploited the opportunity to give Beer his hat trick and the Ravers a bonus point win over the league leaders, The scale of Caldy’s achievement quickly went viral with more than 500,000 views of the winning try and the exuberant celebration by Caldy’s minis being clocked up in 24 hours. However, for Caldy’s Director of Rugby Gareth Davies there is little time for celebration. “This week we have another huge fixture at home against Richmond. Ealing acknowledged the impact of Caldy’s support and I hope the Wirral public will come out in force again to help us against one of our closest league rivals”
I, like probably a lot of people are still in shock at the result last week. Not because I doubt the ability of our team but more because of how high the odds were stacked up against them to pull off a remarkable win against Ealing. This is a team that has premiership ambitions and have been unbeaten all year no it even dropping a point. It was just another incredible day at Caldy and we have been very lucky to have had. Few over the last few years. It was great to see the celebrations and what it meant to our Fans and members. It meant alot to the players also, who once again dug in when it became tough and came out with the result! Unfortunately there isn’t much time to
celebrate in this league and we have another challenge this week. Richmond are a proper rugby club a bit like us, they have one of the stronger forward packs in the league and we know what a challenge this will be. Last weeks result takes some pressure off in the league but also raises expectation. We have to keep our feet on the floor as a club and a team to make sure we take nothing for granted and keep improving and challenging ourselves to get better each week. This is a great time to be a Caldy player and member and it’s really important that we remember to enjoy every minute of it! Enjoy the game!
Andrew Soutar - Coach Sponsor: Heatons Gareth Davies - Director of Rugby
