RAVERS RAVERS RAVERS RAVERS
Graham armitage President’s welcome
A very warm welcome to you all today including our guests, sponsors, and visitors from Cambridge for this our first home game of the 2024/25 season in this our centenary year. Despite all the challenges in recent times Caldy rugby continues to thrive, not only as a consequence of having a 1st.XV competing in the Championship, but also as a result of producing a 2nd. XV which recently completed an unbeaten run of 100 consecutive games, a magnificent achievement at any level and a credit to not only the players but also to the coaches and back up staff concerned. Off the back of this success the club has been able to turn out a 3rd. XV this season for the first time for several years and my thanks must go to all concerned in making these achievements possible, including most importantly the community section from where much of this success has emanated.
Having said this, like ourselves,
Cambridge have had a tough introduction to Championship rugby this season, both sides having been reasonably well beaten in their respective fixtures in the opening games last weekend. Possibly this was as a result of the delayed start to the season with some sides better prepared than others, particularly those I suspect with a more professional setup. As we are only too well aware this is a tough league although on their day it is possible for any team to beat any other as reflected by our successes against Doncaster and Coventry last season. One thing is certain, however, in that today’s fixture will be extremely competitive as proved against the same opposition at the end of last season, and we are sure to have another fantastic game of rugby in prospect whatever happens at Paton Field this afternoon.
Cambridge can trace their history back to 1923, one year before Old Caldeians were formed, and like ourselves played fairly local rugby
President’s welcome
Continued...
during the amateur years before the leagues were formed in the early 1990’s. They did however have some former illustrious players in this period including Dickie Jeeps, former scrum half and captain for England, and Andy Hancock, England’s winger, who some of our senior members may recall scored a famous length of the field try against Scotland if I remember correctly to win the game. More recently they have had other internationals in their former ranks such as Ben Spencer and Alex Goode whose names many of us will be familiar with. The club have played most of their rugby at their current venue in Grantchester Road since the 1950’s and, having bought the leasehold at the inception of the leagues in the early 90’s, have since gone on to develop their current excellent facilities with the addition of a new clubhouse and subsequently a grandstand. Cambridge reached the higher echelons of the rugby pyramid in 2009 I believe, having been
promoted from the London & SE divisions to National 1, and eventually gained promotion to the Championship for the first time at the end of the 2022/23 season. Today we welcome their Chairman Tim Hague and other club representatives who are joining us for lunch and hope that they fully enjoy the Caldy match experience throughout their visit. On the planning front I can confirm that a revised application has been made for the new clubhouse development which I understand has received tacit acceptance subject to final approval from the Planning Officer. My thanks must go to all those who have put in so much effort in hopefully achieving a successful outcome, although of course we will require all the support we can muster to bring these plans to fruition in due course. In the interim we are indebted to our sponsors and financial backers whose generosity in the past has not only led to our success but whose continued
President’s welcome
Continued...
support in the absence of meaningful funding from the rugby authorities has 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. We should all appreciate the wonderful aspect and playing facilities that the club now has to offer even allowing for the limitations of our current clubhouse facilities. Given these limitations l need to acknowledge the considerable 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, particularly on match days such as today and without whom the club could not effectively function. Thanks also to all of our members, supporters and spectators for your incredible support last
season; your contribution cannot be underestimated and is an essential part of our effort to maintain our status going forward. We understand that there is no relegation from the Championship this season, a season that will also include Premiership Cup games home and away against both Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons. our Today's game is yet another opportunity to get fully behind our team and give the players the positive vocal support and encouragement they deserve. As always we are in need of further assistance in terms of sponsorship or help in whatever form and if you wish to become a member/purchase a season ticket or assist us in any other way please contact one of our officials or refer to the club website for further details.
Finally, I sincerely hope that you all 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, make new friends and renew old friendships and hopefully share a few drinks and some good banter in the traditional way after the game.
The caldy Catchup
A View From JJ’s Bank
1st xv result - Bedford Blues
45 - 19 Caldy This was not the start that Caldy wanted. A torrent of individual mistakes right across the Caldy squad matched the deluge that had resulted in a 30-minute delay to the start of the game. Five of the six Bedford tries came as a direct result of individual errors by Caldy and to add to the collective discomfort Ravers squandered four gilt edged scoring opportunities that ordinarily they would surely have finished off.
In mitigation the majority of Caldy’s 1st xv had not seen any competitive rugby for three weeks and were ‘unbasted’ rather than undercooked. In contrast the Blues came into the opening fixture match hardened after hugely competitive outings against Saracens and Northampton Saints
and how it showed. Caldy knock ons, wayward passes and ‘unkind’ bounces were expertly punished by Bedford.
Early pressure by the Ravers was promising but after an unkind bounce from a dink over the top by Blues stand off Maisey wrong footed Matt Kilcourse to gift a score to Bedford, a contagious plague of unforced errors infected the Wirral side.
With half time approaching the Ravers were 31-0 in arrears and the home side had wrapped up the try bonus point. Caldy could still have been within touching distance but for an inexplicable dropped ball at the back of a rampaging maul and a couple of overcooked penalty kicks to the corner. If there was to be a fightback the next score needed to be Caldy’s and Ollie Wynn duly obliged after a flowing movement sent the live wire scrum half on a scorching run to get the Ravers on to the scoreboard.
A View From JJ’s Bank
Whatever elixir Matt Cairns and his coaching staff poured into the Ravers during the half time break it had the desired effect. A more focused Caldy side edged the second half in territory and possession as the home side’s discipline crumbled under pressure from the Caldy pack. A penalty try brought Caldy within touching distance at 31-14 only for an unfortunate slip by replacement scrum half Jacob Tansey gifting the Blues their 5th try. Such a calamity within seconds of his Championship debut did not unduly faze Tansey who subsequently impressed with an assured and composed performance in partnership with replacement standoff Tom Curtis.
With the home side in disarray after a flurry of yellow cards, Callum Ridgway brought up the Ravers’ 3rd try from an unfamiliar left-wing berth and a try bonus point was in reach. Caldy’s continuous pressure nearly paid off as Nick Royle twice went close, but the bounce of the ball was unkind. In the final minute, the Blues broke away to score again leaving the Ravers with an unflattering score line of 45 -19.
Despite the loss there were some notable performances. Debutant Freddie Stevenson was rock solid in the line out, Tristan Woodman was an aggressive and explosive carrier, and the replacement half backs Tansey and Curtis brought control and composure.
The Caldy squad showed the necessary resilience and fortitude to put their mistakes behind them to put together an improved second half of rugby. They will be better for the outing as they look forward to the visit of Cambridge to Paton Field.
A View From JJ’s Bank
2nd xv result - Caldy walkover v Manchester
3rd xv result - Birchfield 734 Caldy
The Rav3rs travelled to Birchfield for their third league match in the NOWIRUL Bay competition, with no less than 18 out of the 19 man squad having played minis and juniors at Caldy. A brilliant accolade for all the coaches throughout the years, who have given so much of their time to develop the next generation of talent for our club.
The Rav3rs walked away from a hard fought (quite literally with Birchfield receiving two red cards) match, with a 34-7 Win. A combination of grit &
determination from the pack and precise handling and speed from the backs, made for a terrific spectacle.
Player of the match was one of our elder statesmen, Cary Wellington. He tackled anything that moved and had a war cry of, "They're going nowhere" on repeat while in defence.
Try scorers - Max Jones x 2, Hardisty, Leek, White and Waring. Conversions - Arista x 2
Next week the Rav3rs face a tough Oxton Parkonians who will be looking to get back to winning ways after a loss at the weekend.
That FridayFeelingJohn Lyon
Caldy’s first home game of the season is against old adversaries Cambridge. There is never much between the sides and the head coaches of both sides will be looking for an improved performance from round one of the Championship.
During the week Caldy got out the wire brush to remove the extensive rust that was evident right across the first team squad. The litany of individual mistakes directly led to five of Bedford’s tries, leaving the Wirral side just too much to do in a much improved second half performance.
Caldy’s totemic prop Nathan Rushton acknowledged last week’s dip in performance
levels “We didn’t do ourselves justice, particularly in the first half where individual mistakes cost us. We don’t need to rip up the play book, there was a significant improvement in the second half, we will sharpen up for Cambridge.”
Cambridge appeared to suffer from the same malaise as Caldy. The Blood and Sand succumbed to a 24-57 home reverse against new boys Chinnor, a result that their head coach Richie Williams publicly denounced as unacceptable given the strength of the Cambridge squad for the 2024/25 season. Williams exhorted his squad to be “much, much better for the trip to Caldy” and it is sure to be a fired up
That FridayFeeling
John Lyon
and incredibly determined Cambridge squad that travels the 210 miles to Paton Field.
Caldy and Cambridge who were promoted to the Championship in succeeding seasons, are two of the smallest clubs in the second tier of English rugby. Last season the clubs occupied the bottom two rungs in the league ladder. Despite this being only the second competitive game of the season it could be one of the most pivotal of fixtures. It is sure to be a huge clash against the Blood & Sand !
Caldy need as large and as vociferous a support as Wirral can muster for this opening home Championship
match. The gates will be open from midday and match tickets can be bought hereplease go to Tomorrow Championship leaders Ealing Trailfinders come to Paton Field to take on the Ravers in their penultimate home game in this Championship season. Over the last few years Ealing have consistently been the strongest side outside the Premiership. Earlier this year Ealing narrowly lost the semi - final of the Premiership Cup against Leicester Tigers after dominating for large parts of the game.
Ravers’ supporters understand how difficult matches against fully professional sides are but they also understand that upsets do happen, with none
That FridayFeeling
John Lyon
bigger than last season’s giant killing at Paton when previously unbeaten Ealing
The 2nd xv are also at home against Macclesfield with a 3 pm kick off.
2nd xv Head Coach Andrew Soutar is unavailable for the game as he is competing in the Berlin Marathon and fund raising for Dementia UK. Sooty is hoping to break the 3-hour mark and raise more then £2,000 for the charity. His Just Giving page is atTomorrow Championship leaders Ealing Trailfinders come to Paton Field to take on the Ravers in their penultimate home game in this Championship season. Over the last few years Ealing have consistently been the strongest side outside the
Premiership. Earlier this year Ealing narrowly lost the semi - final of the Premiership Cup against Leicester Tigers after dominating for large parts of the game.
Ravers’ supporters understand how difficult matches against fully professional sides are but they also understand that upsets do happen, with none bigger than last season’s giant killing at Paton when previously unbeaten Ealing
The 3rd team are playing away against Oxton Parkonians.
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John Mallon Match Report
CALDY nearly grabbed a point at Bedford Blues after the game was in danger of being postponed due to a thunderstorm an hour before kick off. The match started quickly for the home side and despite playing uphill in the first half the hosts scored the first try after a perfectly waited kick through was plucked out of the air. Caldy found it difficult to get into any rhythm and the wet conditions led to handling errors which allowed Bedford in for a second try from Matt Worley after some good work off the back of the scrum. Caldy's Callum Atkinson was knocked out and was replaced as a concussion substitute meaning he will miss the next few games due to the RFU regulations on head injuries. With Caldy not able to capitalise on the downward slope Bedford were able to break away on 26 minutes with a try from Will Maisey to the delight of the
Match Report
home fans. The tough conditions were bad for both sides, however it was the home side who made the best of them and a fourth try came on the stroke of half time when James Lennon to scored a fourth after a great flowing move. There was still time for Ollie Wynn to score a try for Caldy a reward for some fantastic play on the maul. Into the second half, Caldy’s play got better and both teams failed to score in the third quarter of the game. On the hour mark Caldy were awarded a penalty try and two Bedford players were sent to the sin bin and the momentum swung in the visitor's favour. Despite this the home side were able to take the advantage back with a break away try from Michael Le Bourgeois and that looked like Caldy were down and out. But back they came with Freddie Stevenson scoring in the corner. In the last 10 minutes Caldy had two great chances to score a fourth bonus point try but the greasy ball slipped at the crucial momenta and the game finished 45-19. Caldy's opening home game of the season is against Cambridge who lost their opening match to Chinnor.
John Mallon
23/24
Caldy ReportCoaches
Matt Cairns
Welcome back to Paton Field for our first home game of the season. It was a tough start to our third season in the Championship last week as we struugled to find our feet early on after a break between pre season and now. We’ve emphasised mid week how big today’s game is that we capitalise on our home support. Today, we’re counting on Caldy’s “16th man” to gives us that home boost from the sidelines! Enjoy the game.
Gareth Davies Matt Cairns Andrew soutar Richard Vasey
WEEKEND This
Today’s Squads
Squads
Thank you for coming We hope you enjoy the game