Issuu

Caldy v Cinderford

8 January 2022 - 2:00pm

2022

Front Cover Image: © Steve Flynn Photography

Happy New Year to all of our members, supporters, guests and visitors From all at Caldy Rugby Club

Only 1 Matchday Sponsporship available - Taunton (26/3/22) Contact Gary for more information - Gary.Devaney@premierguarantee.co.uk

President’s Welcome

Graham Armitage

very happy New Year with best wishes to all of our members, supporters, guests and visitors for this our first home game of 2022. What a spectacular first half of the season we have had on our return to National League One culminating in a hard fought but well deserved victory last time out against our local rivals Sale F.C. who were second in the league before the game. Trailing 13 -12 at half time Caldy regrouped and went on to score 2 further second half tries resulting in a bonus point victory 26 points to 21, outscoring their opponents by 4 tries to 2 in the process. Caldy’s forward effort, with man of the match Adam Aigbokhae outstanding at prop and in the loose, combined with a resilient backs performance in defence, led to domination in most aspects of the game. A thoroughly deserved win retained 4th. place in the league, leaving the club within striking distance of the leading clubs in terms of points difference. Today we extend a very warm welcome to another of these leading teams, Cinderford RFC, who are currently second in the league table having held top spot for much of the season to date. Caldy played Cinderford in their first fixture last September and narrowly lost away from home in a close fought encounter

the result of which until shortly before the end could have gone either way. On the basis of form and following a 3 week layoff the result of today’s game is hard to predict, but with Caldy having home advantage they will be hoping to avenge their earlier defeat and close the gap on their opponents today. One thing is certain, there will be yet another fantastic game of rugby on offer whatever happens at Paton Field today. Cinderford RFC was formed in 1886 based in the Forest of Dean, a former coal mining area in west Gloucestershire and for much of their early history played rugby at a reasonably high level before mining declined and players were lost to the northern unions. Rugby for much of the post war periods was played at a fairly local level, although the area became a hot bed for other local clubs, such as Lydney and Berry Hill who are also familiar to Caldy having completed rugby tours in the area back in the 1970’s and 80’s. These were tough fixtures back in the day, which I can personally attest to having spent time in the local hospital after one game before drinking beer through a straw for the rest of the tour. At the outset of the leagues in the 1990’s Cinderford were playing at level 6 and by the turn of the century were promoted to level 4 some way ahead of Caldy’s development at that stage. With promotion

www.caldyrugbyclub.com 1

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

What is the Business Club?

Benefits:

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.

n Pitchside advertising board at Caldy RFC for your business

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.

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 2 www.caldyrugbyclub.com

President’s Welcome - Continued subsequently achieved to level 3, and with only a brief period of relegation in the interim, they have been playing at the equivalent of National 1 level for more than a decade, a real credit in these competitive times. With half the season completed, Cinderford seem to have ambitions to play championship rugby, and we’ll all have a better idea of where they stand with this later on today. Our 2nd team, who are scheduled to be away at Macclesfield today, have not played recently, but sit proudly at the top of the league with an unbeaten record this season and several games in hand over their nearest rivals. They will obviously be looking to extend their record further today, so congratulations again to the squad and coaches on their perfect season to date. There were of course very few fixtures to report on during the Xmas period, although there was a friendly fixture between two Caldy teams on Boxing Day in aid of charity. I think the good crowd present enjoyed the day and fresh air so thank you for your support. Community rugby fixtures and matches are planned to resume this weekend pandemic permitting. I hope that as many of us as possible will turn out this weekend to support our team, and provide positive encouragement which I know gives our players a real lift in terms of their performance on the field. We now have more extensive spectating facilities on the bank so let’s safely fill the terraces with noise, banter and good natured support and hopefully, given reasonable weather, enjoy the spectacle that matchday brings.

One word of caution of course is that we are still in the middle of a pandemic, and precautions should be taken particularly indoors where Covid is more likely to spread. We recommend in accordance with government guidelines the wearing of facemasks and safe distancing wherever possible and please use outdoor spaces whenever you can. On our part the club will endeavour to make indoor spaces as safe as possible, although this may require a degree of patience particularly in terms of bar and kitchen service during the afternoon. I wish to express my thanks again to our ground staff, the Last of the Summer Wine, and other volunteers who give of their time in all conditions to produce the wonderful playing surfaces at Caldy Rugby Club that we can all enjoy and be proud of. I would also like to thank all those involved in managing and operating the club during match days and throughout the week including the gate team, catering and bar staff without whom the club could not function. Finally I would like to thank once again all our members, season ticket holders and supporters for your continuing support, as well as our sponsors without whom we could not continue to operate. If you need information on how to join our club, whether as a player or in any other capacity please visit our website for further details. Whatever you do today enjoy your rugby safely,

Graham Armitage

www.caldyrugbyclub.com 3

Caldy Coach Report Matt Cairns

appy New year and a warm welcome

on.

to our first game of 2022. It feels like

Omicron with quite a few members of the

a while since our Christmas Game at

squad having that over Christmas.

Sale Fc and the squad have had a good break from ‘Rugby Training’ so hopefully we are refreshed and ready to go. The game itself against Sale was a fantastic result against a

There has also been the challenge of

This week brings a different challenge. Cinderford are having a great season with a very set way of playing that has put them in

side unbeaten at Home and riding high in the

a really strong position for the second half of

league. The team executed the game plan

the season. It’s a big challenge for us and we

really well and after a difficult start stuck to

will have to be disciplined in our performance

the task and in the end got real dominance

to make sure we get the result we want. The

in most areas of the game. It’s difficult to tell

second half of the NAtional one season always

whether the break will do us good, or harm our

seems a bit different with teams recruiting and

momentum, overall, I think a rest and a break

adapting their styles of play. As a coaching

from being together will be a good thing for the

group we will work hard to continue to improve

rest of the season and gave us time to discuss

the group and make sure we give the lads the

what we’ve done so far and how we can Kick

best opportunity to perform to their ability.

Gareth Davies - Director of Rugby

Matt Cairns - Head Coach

Andrew Soutar - Coach

Richard Vasey - Coach

Sponsor: Caldy Under 16’S

Sponsor: Heatons

Sponsor: Premier Guarantee

4 www.caldyrugbyclub.com

H M YT TING S U B

Busting warranty and building control myths M YT H

Warranty surveyors are only there to pick holes in what I’m doing

FACT: Our surveyors aren’t trained to look for defects, they’re trained to prevent them. Premier Guarantee surveyors’ aim is simple: to work proactively on site with developers and builders to ensure a smooth, high-quality build with no defects.

Find out more about our proactive surveying approach: qrco.de/PGGoodPractice

P R E M I E R G UA R A N T E E . C O M | 0800 107 8446 MD Insurance Services Ltd is the Scheme Administrator for the Premier Guarantee range of structural warranties. MD Insurance Services Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. © Premier Guarantee 2021 MK-3005-1.00-150621

Player Profile Tom Sanders

Firstly Crouchy, how was

and try and come away with the W. Try not and

your Christmas and New Year?

get too far ahead of ourselves, we’ve been higher

Has it been nice to get back to training post-

in the Nat 1 table than 4th at Christmas and been

Christmas? Missing the routine?

relegated. This shows the importance to just

Fairly standard Christmas and New year to be

keep working hard.

honest, ate and drank a little too much. I work

You’ve had 2 promotions with Caldy now from

in a hospital so didn’t have much time off over the Christmas period which meant I missed the rugby routine even more than if I was off. Always nice to be back, even if the post Christmas training fitness reminds you of how much food you’ve put away.

National 2 North to National One. Is this the best squad you’ve played with? I’ve played with a lot of talented individuals but the way Vasey and Cairnsy have got us playing and executing game plans definitely makes us the best team. Which is testament to their

Last time out, we played Sale at Heywood

preparation and coaching. Also, this is the only

Road. Talk to us about the performance? How

season I’ve been a part of where we have coped

nice was it to beat our local rivals? Especially

so well with injuries (and there’s been a lot) that’s

in the last game before the break?

a credit to the lads that have stepped up as well

Huge performance, in front of a fantastic

the quality of the squad.

crowd. We definitely gave them a shock and

You’ve been on fire this season, how good

put a dampener on their Christmas party. A game where we seemed to win the collisions and territory. The derby and Christmas games always have that special feeling about them; atmosphere in the changing room after the game was unreal.

does that feel to be playing regularly? How’s the body holding up? Thanks mate. I love playing at this level, the higher standard raises everyone’s game and you’ve got to bring your A game. I think before covid I took rugby for granted, you don’t realise

There was the announcement recently that

what a big part of your life and your routine it is

potentially 2 teams can get promoted to the

until you’re not able to do it: loving being back to

championship if the top team in the champ

it every week. Touch wood the body is holding

meets all promotion criteria. Has this been

up, definitely feel like I’ve been banged back into

spoken about? Is that the teams aim?

shape. Came into this season the heaviest I’ve

No, we haven’t spoken about this. The quality of

ever been at just under 22st. So it’s nice to have

this league, we like to just take each week at a time. Each week is a new challenge. We prepare

shed that weight, although JJ and the rest of the lineout lifters will claim that I haven’t.

www.caldyrugbyclub.com 7

2021/22 Player Sponsors Adam Aigbokhae

Callum Ridgway

Sponsor

ALAN ROBERTS

ACFLT

Adam Kelly

Dave Jones

Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Alex White

Ezra Hinchcliffe

Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

ANDY BLACKSTOCK

Ben Harling Eaves

Fraser Smale

Sponsor

EARLAM AND PARTNERS (EAP) LTD

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Ben Gomples

Harrison Crowe

Sponsor

WHITEGATES WEST DERBY

GROSVENOR MARQUEES

Ben Jones

Jack Parker

Sponsor

MCL COATINGS LTD

GRAEME MCGAFFNEY

Callum Bennett

Jack Sanders

Sponsor

MPR SITE SERVICES LTD

BATHGATE

8 www.caldyrugbyclub.com

2021/22 Player Sponsors JJ Dickinson (c) Sponsor

MARINE TURBO

Martin Gerrard Sponsor

LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE

Joe Greenway

Max Doyle

Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

MCMURDO CONSULTANTS PTY

Joe Sanders

Max Jones

Sponsor

PAUL HARRISON

MICRO EPSILON

Joe Smith

Nathan Ovien

Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Lewis Barker

Ollie Hearn

Sponsor

ALAN ROBERTS

JOHN MITCHELL

Louis Fletcher

Rhys Hayes

Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

BINGHAMS

Lucas Titherington

Ryan Higginson

Sponsor

BATHGATE BUSINESS FINANCE

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

www.caldyrugbyclub.com 9

2021/22 Player Sponsors Sam Dickinson

Nyle Davidson

Sponsor

LBC CORPORATE FINANCE LTD

THE SOCIAL DESK

Ted Stagg

Jacob Ainscough

Sponsor

HEATONS

AUGER

Tom Clarke

Nicholas Royle

Sponsor

LBC CORPORATE FINANCE LTD

GRAHAM ARMITAGE

Tom Sanders

Michael Cartmell

Sponsor

TRUSTLANDS CONSTRUCTION

ACFLT

Tom Williams

Michael Barlow

Sponsor

REYNOLDS PALLETS (NW)

BOYS OF THE 80’S

Stuart Cross

Liam Isaacs

Sponsor

MARKET STREET HOMES

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT: GARY.DEVANEY@PREMIERGUARENTEE.CO.UK

10 www.caldyrugbyclub.com

2021/22 Player Sponsors Jorge Lewtas

Jamie Gray

Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Jack Riley

Nathan Wyman

Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Ryen Spencer-Wolfe PREMIER GUARANTEE

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Peter Weller Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Nathan Rushton

Sam Olyott

Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Jamie Goncalves

Elliot Gourley

Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

GALLAGHER

Adam Williams Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT: GARY.DEVANEY@PREMIERGUARENTEE.CO.UK

www.caldyrugbyclub.com 11

AEV specialise in the manufacture and supply of insulating varnishes, resins and compounds for the electrical industry world-wide

For further information contact: t: 0151 647 3322 e: aev@aev.co.uk w: www.aev.co.uk

Caldy RFC - Season 2021/22 RESULTS / FIXTURES TBC

Old Elthamians -vs- Caldy

LEAGUE TABLE

TBC

29 v 21

Cinderford -vs- Caldy

0 v 24

Caldy -vs- Birmingham

16 v 18

Blackheath -vs- Caldy

27 v 22

Caldy -vs- Darlington

27 v 27

Caldy -vs- Chinnor

22 v 22

Cambridge -vs- Caldy

47 v 40

Caldy -vs- Tonbridge

7 v 26

Plymouth -vs- Caldy

31 v 28

Caldy -vs- Leeds

31 v 36

Taunton -vs- Caldy

20 v 26

Caldy -vs- Rosslyn Park

20 v 31

Bishop’s Stortford -vs- Caldy

20 v 3

Caldy -vs- Rams

21 v 26

Sale -vs- Caldy

8 Jan

Caldy -vs- Cinderford

2:00 pm

15 Jan

Birmingham -vs- Caldy

3:00 pm

22 Jan

Caldy -vs- Blackheath

2:00 pm

29 Jan

Darlington -vs- Caldy

3:00 pm

12 Feb

Chinnor -vs- Caldy

3:00 pm

19 Feb

Caldy -vs- Cambridge

3:00 pm

26 Feb

Tonbridge -vs- Caldy

2:00 pm

5 Mar

Caldy -vs- Plymouth

3:00 pm

12 Mar

Leeds -vs- Caldy

3:00 pm

26 Mar

Caldy -vs- Taunton

3:00 pm

2 Apr

Rosslyn Park -vs- Caldy

3:00 pm

9 Apr

Caldy -vs- Bishop’s Stortford

3:00 pm

16 Apr

Rams -vs- Caldy

3:00 pm

23 Apr

Caldy -vs- Sale

3:00 pm

30 Apr

Caldy -vs- Old Elthamians

3:00 pm

ENGLISH NATIONAL LEAGUE 1

Team

Pts

Rosslyn Park

Cinderford

Sale FC

Caldy

Cambridge

Chinnor

Taunton

Rams

Blackheath

Darlington Mowden Park

Bishops Stortford

Birmingham Moseley

Plymouth Albion

Leeds Tykes

Tonbridge Juddians

www.caldyrugbyclub.com 13

That Friday Feeling We have submitted a planning application for a New Clubhouse. Details are on the Caldy website Please take some time and look at the plans and drawings. Whilst we have carried out work since the first lockdown on our club house it has been more a case of carrying out essential maintenance and improvements. It doesn’t alter the fact that we need to replace the building to bring it up to modern standards and to improve the facilities for both players and members. A lot of effort has been put in to get us to this position and we should thank Bob Cooke, Jon Bagley, Tim Kilpatrick, Charlie Pearson, Mark Loughran and David Brewster as well architects Cass Associates. When you have looked at the planning submission if you support the application you can comment on the Wirral Borough Council Portal The last game before Christmas saw Caldy win a very tough derby against local rivals Sale FC. The match was made even tastier with both Sale FC and Caldy being the form teams of the league, and both in the top 4. It was a tough game played at a high level of intensity by two very well coached teams but in the 2nd half Caldy’s passion and team spirit saw the victory going to us. With 2 teams to be promoted to the Championship there was an extra edge to what was always going to be a very competitive match. The support for Caldy was magnificent away at Sale and the players were very pleased with the applause and acclaim they got at the end of the match.

Today’s visitors are 2nd place Cinderford. Our Director of Rugby, Gareth Davies, told me he still wakes up at night in a cold sweat remembering the last time we played Cinderford at Paton Fields. 31 to 0 points up after 36 minutes and a try for Cinderford just before half time had us all going in for our refreshments feeling confident. The final score was 31 – 38 in what must have been one of the biggest swings ever seen at Paton Fields. This time the game won’t be considered over till the final whistle blows and with Cinderford the winners in all the games played to date against Caldy in National One there will be an extra incentive for the boys to gain a win. Cinderford are tough Forest of Dean men and are in 2nd place in a hard league so we can be sure it will be a mighty challenge for our boys. A warm welcome to all Cinderford players and officials. When you travel down there you are sure of a very warm welcome from their passionate officials and supporters and it is a pleasure for us to host them. Christmas and New Year saw a lot of the Caldy players down with Covid but self isolation is now over for all of them. With injuries improving, other than our long term absentees, the squad is getting stronger again and the coaches have the hard job of selecting a team from a very strong squad.

14 www.caldyrugbyclub.com

Need help with CHRISR your digital marketing? Contact us

CHRISREYNOLDSPALLETS.CO.UK

t: 0330 120 0844 e: info@thesocialdesk.co.uk w: www.thesocialdesk.co.uk

G A RA D N P SE ES D H R IG W IC V N EB IC E

THESOCIALDESK

Construction labour suppliers UK wide

0161 327 1686 Wirral based creative design studio

www.bodhi-design.co.uk

mprsiteservices.co.uk

Today’s Squad v’s Cinderford

CALDY SQUAD 1.

Aigbokhae

11.

B.Jones

Hearn

12.

Barlow

Rushton

13.

Titherington

T. Sanders

14.

Royle

S. Dickinson

15.

Gourlay

Crowe

16.

J. Sanders

Ridgway

17.

Parker

Dickinson (c)

18.

Gerrard

Murray

19.

D. Jones

10.

Hinchliffe

20.

Cartmill

www.caldyrugbyclub.com 17

We are commercial construction specialists with over 50 years of experience with major Blue Chip companies. Working as an extension of our clients’ teams, we possess the flexibility and capability to service a variety of sectors.

Our diverse experience includes: Refurbishment & Fit-Out - Demolition - Maintenance Glazing - Special Projects - Asbestos Training Civil Engineering - Full Project Management Fire Safe Installation

www.trustland.co.uk

0151 653 5566

info@trustland.co.uk

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME ADVERTISING Advertising in the match programme is a great way to promote products and services to the Caldy RFC family of supporters and businesses. for more info contact:

Gary.Devaney@premierguarentee.co.uk www.caldyrugbyclub.com 19

Phone: 0151 625 8043 Website: www.caldyrugbyclub.com Email: caldyrugbyclub@outlook.com