RAVERS R RS R RS
19/10/24 3PM PATON FIELD
Today’s Matchday Sponsors:
As the largest law firm in Merseyside with a heritage going back almost 200 years, we share the values and ethos of Caldy. They are a club with a strong community importance, whilst also performing and excelling on a national stage in the English Championship, making them one of the best in the country and the very best in the region. Our principles and aspirations are the perfect match and we are looking forward to cheering them on this season
Thank you For your support!
Graham armitage President’s welcome
A very warm welcome to you all today including our visitors from Coventry for this our second home game of the season. Coventry have had an excellent start this season and are top of the table having beaten Chinnor last week and look set to challenge for top spot and possibly promotion at the end of the season. Meanwhile Caldy have had a tough start to the season with 4 consecutive losses, although improving performances and hopefully players returning from injury give hope of better fortunes to come. Last week we faced Ampthill away who fielded a sizeable element of dual registered players and proved a tough nut to crack with Caldy eventually going down by 33 point to 19. There were however some good performances from a number of players including Joe Sproston amongst others against his former club and an impressive debut from 19 year old Dan Rabette as replacement fly half having worked his way through to
the first team through our club system.
We will continue to face a number of teams in this division who rely largely on the dual registration process and whilst they are not breaking any rules we need to step up to this level if possible if we want to survive in Championship rugby. We ourselves have used dual registered players particularly to cover injuries but in much smaller numbers than many of our opposing teams. Coventry, however rely almost exclusively on their own registered players as do Ealing and are to be congratulated on their success with this process, although they are obviously working off a considerably larger budget than the likes of Caldy can currently aspire to. This therefore continues to be a challenging league where almost any team on its day can beat any other, as proved the case against Coventry last season and we hope that home advantage may again work in our favour in today’s fixture.
President’s welcome
Continued...
Today’s opponents Coventry have a fantastic history having played top class rugby for many years since their formation in 1874, with numerous international honours, and were top of the pile in terms of national rugby back in the 1970’s, winning major trophies such as the John Player Cup before professional rugby arrived on the scene. Players such as David Duckham, Fran Cotton, John Finlan and Peter Rossborough graced their ranks whilst providing the backbone of the international rugby side for a number of years as a result. The advent of league rugby saw a decline in Coventry’s fortunes but unlike some sides they always retained a presence in the national rugby scene, never falling below National 1 in the league structure, and have regrouped once again to become a force at the top of the Championship. Whilst their recent league form is somewhat unpredictable, today’s game will present a further challenge against a Coventry team
sitting top of the league This will undoubtedly be yet another serious test for Caldy and whilst a win may prove difficult, a good performance will provide further indication of our progress towards achieving our longer term ambition of maintaining rugby at Championship level. We welcome their Chairman Jon Sharp, CEO Nick Johnson and colleagues including the aforementioned Peter Rossborough who will be joining us at lunchtime. We hope that, whatever the result, Coventry enjoy the Caldy experience today on this their third visit to Paton Field. Off the pitch our planning application to upgrade the clubhouse is still being processed but remains at a sensitive stage with the planning authorities for the time being at least. Whilst this will be a lengthier process than originally anticipated our thanks go to those involved in these protracted negotiations in the hope that we can eventually produce a facility worthy of the
President’s welcome
Continued...
standard of rugby that the club has achieved in terms of league status. 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 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 together which even with our restricted social facilities we can continue to enjoy.
I need to mention 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 again this season, your contribution cannot be underestimated and is an essential part of our effort to maintain our status going forward. Today's game is another opportunity to get fully behind our team and give the players the positive vocal support and encouragement they deserve. We are always 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 our 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 in the traditional way after the game.
Today’s OpponentsCoventry RFC 3 to watch! Aaron Hinkley
Back Row
Age:25
Height: 183cm
Weight: 105KG
The Hereford product appeared in 20 Premiership games during stints at Gloucester, Exeter and Northampton Saints in addition to playing four times in the Champions Cup. Hinkley also represented England as an Under-18 before going on to win 15 further caps as an under-20 including an outing from the bench in the 2018 Under-20s World Cup final in France. Hinkley returns to rugby with Cov after an extremely positive experience he enjoyed while playing six loan games at the club during the 2021/22 season.
Today’s OpponentsCoventry RFC 3 to watch! Jimmy martin
Height: 185cm Weight: 99KG
James ‘Jimmy’ Martin began his rugby career with his local club, Sleaford at the young age of four years old and went on to play with them for ten years. Consistently being the most talented player throughout his school and club teams, Martin joined the U17/U18 academy for his beloved Leicester Tigers in 2017 as well as Hinckley Rugby during the same time period. After having struggled with a shoulder injury that required two surgeries throughout his teenage career, Martin set off for New Zealand where he played for the North Harbour Development Team in Auckland. Upon his return, Jimmy joined Coventry Rugby in 2019. Martin had his best season at the club during 2022/23 with 13 tries in 25 games and 20 Tries in all appearences in 23/24, Jimmy is hoping to continue improving every season.
Today’s OpponentsCoventry RFC 3 to watch! Ryan Hutler
Wing
Age:26
Height: 186cm
Weight: 90KG
Pacy winger Ryan Hutler got his Coventry career away to a try-agame start during an Autumn period when his new club impressed in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Having worked with Rae previously at Bedford, Cov’s open running game has proved ideally suited to a player who is a natural tryscoring predator.
Helped by a hat-trick against his former club Hutler has registered 19 tries in 24 competitive appearances for the blue-and-whites.
The caldy Catchup
Plenty of content to catch up on this week on our socials, tune in to hear interviews Head Coach Matt Cairns, Lewis Barker and JJ Dickinson!
A View From JJ’s Bank
1st xv result - Ampthill 33 - 19
Caldy Caldy’s difficult start to the season continued at Ampthill as the Ravers slipped to their fourth defeat of the season. However, Caldy President Graham Armitage was not downbeat about the performance “Ampthill fielded 12 Saracens full time professional players in their match day squad and it was always going to be a tough fixture away from home, but this was an improved performance and if we keep working I am sure the results will come.”
An early score by Ampthill was cancelled by another sniping run from Ollie Wynn and it looked like the Wirral side would go into the break only 5 points in arrears at 12-7. A try right on the stroke of half time by the ‘Mob’ extended their lead to 19-7 leaving the visitors
a lot to do. Caldy upped both the intensity and the pressure in the second half and reduced the deficit after Callum Ridgway burrowed over from a dominant Caldy maul. With the Ravers pushing for an equalizing score an interception from halfway extended Ampthill’s lead. Both sides scored again in the last ten minutes, but it was not enough to secure the Ravers a losing bonus point, which their endeavor probably deserved. Armitage praised the effort and the performance of the two debutants in second row Tom Burrow and replacement stand off Dan Rabbette who both gave confident and assured performances at Championship level.
A View From JJ’s Bank
2nd xv result - Wirral 0 v 62
Caldy Caldy 2nd xv continued their 100% record in the Halbro NW Bathtime Premier League with a convincing win in the local derby against Wirral 2nd xv. Caldy remain joint top alongside Fylde Hawks each with 5 bonus point wins so far this season.
3rd xv result - Caldy 35 v 7
Wirral Saturday saw the Rav3rs face Wirral 3rd xv in a feisty local derby double header, cup and league clash, with Caldy clinching a 35 - 7 victory.
A brilliant turn out saw our Rav3rs field a squad of 24 players with an age range of 17-54 years old, a true reflection of a brilliant community club and team. The game was another tough
physical battle for the young Rav3rs, who kept their composure and played some high quality and expansive rugby, in front of a brilliant home crowd.
Standout performers were Andrew Ridgway, Tomas Shannahan and Max Fletcher in the pack, while Max Doyle, Stuart Wellington and Dave Jones were electric in the back line.
Felix Clarke, Rob Waring and Anthony Hirons, from our Colts teams also had brilliant games and showed that they have a bright future beyond the Rav3rs over the next couple of years.
It was also great to see two sets of twins in action together. Tom and Rhys Hughes, as well as Jack Riley and Liam Devaney. Caldy 3rd xv climbed up to 3rd place in The Bay Travel Div 3 West league.
That FridayFeelingJohn Lyon
Round 5 of the Championship sees bottom versus top as unbeaten Coventry come to Paton Field. The Midlands side have a perfect record so far this season with 4 bonus point wins and will bring a balanced side to the Wirral with great attacking ability and a rock solid miserly defence which has only shipped 59 points so far. With conditions perhaps being on the softer side after the midweek deluge, Coventry’s significant forward power will be a distinct threat. Up front they have the outstanding athleticism of 6ft 6inch second row Obinna Nkwocha and 6ft 4 inch, 20 stone number 8 Senitiki Nayalo and he street smarts of former England flanker Matt Kvesic. They are formidable. After an injury hit difficult start to the season the Ravers will be hoping for improvement
against the league leaders as stand off Lewis Barker explains “We are the smallest club in the Championship, and it is more difficult for us to plug the gaps when we have 7 or 8 frontline players out with injury. It does provide opportunities for younger and less experienced players from our outstanding 2nd team to step up but ideally you don’t want to have to pitch them in all at the same time ! The morale in the squad is upbeat and we are looking forward to the game against Coventry.”
The 2nd xv game has unfortunately been cancelled but 3rd xv’s are also in action travelling to Oldershaw’s Recreation Ground for a league fixture and a 3 pm kick off.
Caldy Squad 2023-24
Adam Aigbokhae
Sponsor
ALAN ROBERTS
Andy Darlington
Sponsor
107 DINING ROOM
Ben Jones
Sponsor
Callum Atkinson
Sponsor
BOYS OF THE 80'S
Callum Butler
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Callum Doherty
Sponsor
BBRS
Callum Ridgway
Sponsor
WHITEGATES
Calum Kilpatrick
Sponsor
DTM LEGAL
sponsor
SPONSOR NOW Cameron Sabouni
Charlie Attis
sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Charlie Hyde
sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Connor Wilkinson
Sponsor
DTM LEGAL
Connor Windell
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Dan Rabette
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
GARY DEVANEY / MIKE YOUNG
Caldy Squad 2023-24
Dylan Carroll
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Elliot Cotton
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Ewan Dale
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Finn Collins
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Freddie Arista
Sponsor
GRAEME MCGAFFNEY
Freddie Stevenson
Sponsor
MCMURDO CONSULTANTS
Harry Evans
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Hector Owen
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Henry Wild
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Isaac Hardisty
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Jack Ellam
sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Jack Wilson
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW Jacob Oosthuysen
Jacob Mitchell
Sponsor
LEXUS MITCHELL
Caldy Squad 2023-24
Jacob Tasey
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
JJ Dickinson
Sponsor
MARINE TURBO
Joe Murray
Sponsor
GARY DEVANEY
Joe Smith
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Joe Sproston
Sponsor
ANDY BLACKSTOCK
Johnson Chandigere
Sponsor
NEIL CORLETT
Jordan Jones
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Lewis Barker
Sponsor
ALAN ROBERTS
Louis Beer
Sponsor
THE OLD GARDEN
Lucas Wiggins
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Luke Cox
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Marcus Clapp
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Martin Gerrard
Sponsor
LOTSW
Matt Gallagher
Sponsor
JON KEMP
Caldy Squad 2023-24
Matthew Kilcourse
sponsor
WEIGHTMANS
Matt Mountney
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Matthew Rabbette
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Max Fletcher
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Max Hendry
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Max Jones
Sponsor
MICRO EPSILON
Mich Bretherton
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Mike Barlow
Sponsor
BOYS OF THE 80'S
Mike Cartmill
Sponsor
ACFLT
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW Monty Weatherby
Nathan Rushton
Sponsor
BATHGATE / ANDREW JOHNSTONE
Nick Royle
Sponsor
GRAHAM ARMITAGE
Ollie Hearn
Sponsor
GARETH MOSS
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW Ollie Wynn
Caldy Squad 2023-24
Paul Lewis
JIM DAVIES
Rob Cooke
Sponsor
Sponsor UREN
Robin Lowndes
AUGER
Ryan Higginson
Sponsor
ACFLT
Sam Dickinson
Sponsor
Sam Olyott
sponsor
Sponsor SAFE ENGINEERING
Sam Rogers
Sponsor
YOUR BUSINESS LTD.
Toby Elkerton
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW Tom Marray
Tom Molloy
Sponsor
SPONSOR NOW
Tom Parry
Sponsor
CO CREATE
Tom Sanders
Sponsor
Sponsor
REYNOLDS GROUP Tomas Williams
Sponsor
LBC Will Robinson
John Mallon Match Report
CALDY suffered a fourth consecutive defeat in the Championship away at Ampthill on Saturday as they lost 33-19. Ampthill made the most of the scrappy start to the game and after a successful lineout, Richard Barrington went over to score the opening try of the afternoon. Caldy hit back almost immediately with a mirror image of the Ampthill try, from the lineout the ball was mauled over the line by Ollie Wynn for his fourth try of the season. The home side re-took the lead two minutes later from another line out which allowed Josh Barton to slide over to score. The game got a bit scrappy till the stroke of half time when James Hatfield dived over to score a third for the home side. Caldy came out in the second half with more purpose and brought themselves within a try after a good flowing move, and Callum Ridgeway scored to end a great phase of
Match Report
play. Ampthill regained their advantage when Saracens loanee Brandon Jackson intercepted Matt Gallagher and ran in to score. The strength of Ampthill was too much for Caldy and a fifth try was scored by Ampthill on 66 minutes through Lekima Ravuvu.
Caldy had some good chances to gain bonus points but after the match, head coach Matt Cairns said : “We built a lot of pressure in the first half and we tended to be in their 22 for a while so we are disappointed not to get more rewards from the pressure. When they scored the breakaway try and the intercept in the second half it was the final nail in the coffin”.
23/24 season
Caldy ReportCoaches
Matt Cairns
Welcome back to Paton Field for our for this match against Coventry. It’s been a tough start to our 3rd year in the championship and while results haven’t been going our way, we feel we are improving week on week and have no doubt that with your support the first win will be on the board soon! As always you’re the 16th man on a home matchday so lets get behind the boys and i hope you enjoy todays game! Come on you Ravers!
Gareth Davies Matt Cairns Andrew soutar Richard Vasey
Today’s Squads
Today’s Squads
Cambridge RFC
jevaugh warren
1. jordon poole (c)
2. vilikesa nairau
3. obinna nkwocha 4. senitiki nayalo 5. tom ball 6. aaron hinkley 7. matt kvesic 8. josh barton 9. liam richman 10. james martin 11. tom hitchcock 12. dafydd-rhys tiueti 13. ryan hutler 14. charlie robson 15.
16. suva ma’asi
17. mikey summerfield
18. Matt Johnson
19. James tyas
20. Dan Green
21. Will Lane
22. David Opoku
23. Daniel Okeke
Thank you for coming We hope you enjoy the game