Caldy Vs Richmond - Championship Cup

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President’s Welcome Graham Armitage

A very warm welcome to you all today including our visitors from Richmond for our second fixture within a few weeks, this time in the Championship Cup. We have already faced Richmond three times this season having won both league fixtures whilst losing in the first round of the Cup last autumn.

The Cup fixture today finds both Richmond and Caldy at the wrong end of the pool table with little apart from pride riding on today’s result. Both teams will be more concerned with the remaining league fixtures to come this season with one team in the league almost certainly facing relegation this year following recent events and decisions by the RFU. I think we all agree that it is fairly incredible that promotion and relegation decisions are only being considered and are still to be finalised in the Championship at such a late stage in the season.

Last week Caldy faced the long trip south to Cornish Pirates again in the Cup, possibly a trip too far with Caldy losing eventually by 52 points to 5. However this was a further opportunity to expose a number of junior squad members to the intensity of Championship Rugby, and Caldy responded well with a half time score of 19 – 5, having given the home side a reasonable test until this stage. Losing Ben Jones early in the

game to injury and Tom Fletcher to a yellow card before half time did little to improve our chances and the Cornish side eased away in the second half to a comfortable and well deserved victory. Pirates were obviously up for this game, unbeaten with a home draw beckoning in the Cup knock out rounds, a fact that was fully appreciated by a large partisan crowd. Caldy will be back in Cornwall for a league game in April which we hope will be considerably more competitive.

Richmond, our visitors today, have an illustrious history, having been formed in 1861 and becoming 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 were part of the first match to be held at Twickenham in 1909. They have provided numerous international players over the years and despite their ups and downs since the advent of professional rugby have been regular members of the Championship in recent years.

Today we welcome their President Chris Mills, Chairman John Heaton and their guests to lunch today and, having been present in January when they were last here, can expect another competitive and entertaining performance from

Caldy Rugby Business Club

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

What is the Business Club?

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.

Benefits:

n Pitchside advertising board at Caldy RFC for your business

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

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

If you are interested in joining Caldy Rugby Business Club, please contact Jonathan Kemp at Jonathan@aev.co.uk

www.caldyrugbyclub.com/business-club

Richmond both on and off the pitch. Whilst today’s game will no doubt be another tough encounter, it will be an opportunity for Caldy 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 second visit visit to Paton Field within a few weeks.

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 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 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, renew old friendships and hopefully celebrate whatever the result with a few drinks in the traditional way after the game.

Graham Armitage

Richmond Rugby - The Season Thus Far

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.

Steve Hill Director of Rugby Richmond FC

Three to watch!

Conor Maguire - Prop

Previous Clubs:

Gloucester Hartpury

Conor 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 Caddy - Wing

Previous Clubs:

Tunbridge Wells RFC

Beckenahm RFC

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 Saysell - Flanker

Previous Clubs:

Harpenden RFC

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.

That Friday Feeling John

Lyon

In a week where the present turmoil in the Premiership and in International rugby has bubbled up again it somehow seems fitting that this weekend Caldy should be playing Richmond FC in a Championship Cup clash. On 15th February it was confirmed that the insolvent Premiership side Worcester Warriors will not be allowed into next season’s Championship but a phoenix from former Premiership Wasps will be able to start its rugby journey at Championship level 2 rather than from level 10 at the bottom of the rugby pyramid.

In 1996, Richmond FC founded in 1861 was bankrolled by financier Ashley Levett to become the first fully professional club in England . A host of big name players including Scott Quinell and the world’s first £1 million player Ben Clarke, provided excitement on the pitch but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to attract sufficient spectators to be commercially viable. At that time professional

rugby was not matched by the reality of the business model and in 1999 Ashley Levett placed Richmond FC into Administration. In the year 2000 a reformed Richmond FC were required to start again, at the bottom of the rugby pyramid. For the next 10 years Richmond FC fought their way back up through the leagues and in 2011 they played Caldy in a play off match at the Richmond Athletic Ground. By the narrowest of margins Richmond prevailed and took their place in National 1 and subsequently were promoted to the Championship in the 2015/6 season.

Tomorrow it will be interesting to understand the views from Richmond FC’s supporters to a phoenix from Wasps taking a place in next year’s Championship without having the ten year journey that Richmond FC undertook. It may become evident that Richmond FC’s journey from 2000 to 2011 was the most enjoyable in their history!

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Cornish Pirates 52-5 Caldy

Thanks goes to Cornish Pirates for their photos and match report. Despite ahead of this contest achieving bonus point wins in all four Championship Cup games played in Pool C, the Cornish Pirates felt pre-match that they needed to go up another notch in Round 5, and boy they did just that!

Impressively scoring eight tries in the match, with one pool fixture still to play, they breezed past the 50 points mark to comfortably qualify for the semi-finals of the competition.

The two teams had met just twice previously, with both games played this season at Caldy’s Paton Field ground. The Pirates won 26-7 in the Cup last November, before in December snow they lost 15-14 in the league.

There were four personnel changes in the Pirates starting XV from the one that ran out against Richmond the previous week. In the backs centre Shae Tucker and wing AJ Cant were named, whilst

in the pack both prop Hayden King and flanker Jarrard Hayler were about to make their first competitive match starts for the team this season.

In once again fine conditions at the Mennaye Field, after the ‘Ravers’ from Caldy kicked off playing towards Newlyn events were quick to transpire against them. They firstly lost the services through injury of wing Tom Fletcher and then leaked the game’s opening score when Pirates’ lock forward Josh Williams scampered over the line between the Penzance posts. For the previous week’s man of the match, it was also his first try scored in Pirates’ colours, with fly-half Harry Bazalgette then adding the extra two points as he did when approaching midway through the first half prop Hayden King scored from close range.

Caldy showed glimpses of their capabilities through the ball carrying of prop Jack Parker and flanker Tom Parry, and on the half hour mark the visitors managed a score of their own. Former

Doncaster Knights hooker Ted Stagg’s throw found second-row jumper Tom Sanders at line-out time, and from the resulting driving maul it was Stagg who then applied the necessary pressure for a try scored at the Newlyn gate corner. Replacement Lewis Barker was luckless with his conversion attempt.

Overall the Pirates were though dominating exchanges with skipper John Stevens, playing this week at number 8, outstanding. They would also conjure up a super unconverted try just before halftime to give them a 19-5 lead at the break. Instigated by full-back Will Trewin, and with centre Shae Tucker well involved, the ball was worked to centre Joe Elderkin who had the pace and determination to score at the clubhouse corner.

Clearly keen to secure a four-try bonus point at the start of the second period, hooker Morgan Nelson duly delivered for the home side, with Bazalgette also

slotting his conversion attempt. A winning outcome for the Pirates already appeared certaint, with replacements introduced as the half wore on. Players and supporters alike were enjoying this display, with one slick passage of play ending with flanker Jarrard Hayler taking to the air when diving over the line at pace to also register his first try for the club. Into the last quarter yet more entertaining rugby was played as the Pirates scored three more tries, which were all well converted by replacement Carwyn Penny. Replacement hooker Will Crane crossed for the first, busy man of the match wing AJ Cant scored another, and finally, after lending support to another fine run from Cant, it was replacement scrum-half Ali Stacey who had the delight to place the ball down at the Newlyn posts. For the young Newlyner, it was a rightly a proud moment.

David Brewster Managing Director

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Caldy Coach’s Report Matt Cairns

Welcome back to Caldy, which feels like a long time since the Bedford game and with the change of competition to the cup for me, means it feels a little longer. The change to the Cup came at a time when we had just gone on a run of 4 wins on the bounce and we were beginning to get a little bit of momentum. We have changed the team up over the last couple of weeks to give some deserved opportunities to some players and to also rest some of the lads who have played a lot of rugby recently

with a view to managing the squad. We have Richmond this week in our last cup game and we will look to start building towards our next league game in March away at Jersey. We. Have a few people back from injury this week and we will look to give opportunities to people who have been performing and training really well.

I hope you enjoy the game!

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Today’s Squad vs Richmond