That Friday Feeling – 20.12.2019

According to Stourbridge’s Director of Rugby Neil Mitchell, Caldy produced a rugby master class in last Saturday’s 54-7 demolition of the Midlands side. It wasn’t a perfect performance by the league leaders, but it was close to it. The level of intensity and focus which has resulted in 14 wins out of 14 matches seemed to have increased a notch and Stourbridge had no answer apart from a solitary interception try from the league’s top try scorer Dan Rundle.

The result puts Caldy 8 points ahead of second placed Fylde, who were beaten away at Sheffield Tigers, but Head Coach Matt Cairns isn’t getting carried away with the plaudits his side are receiving.

“Last Saturday’s performance was not only notable for Gavin Roberts’ 300th game and Tom Sanders’ 200th game, but also for how strongly we finished with 3 scores in the last 10 minutes. The squad is performing well but we won’t get ahead of ourselves. There are a lot of really tough games to come starting with a huge game away at Chester this weekend”

“A derby fixture is always tough irrespective of league positions and we know just how good Chester’s recent form has been. They have a lot of really good players who always show up in big games. They will be very much up for it and will be backed by a big crowd. I am expecting this to be as fierce and close a contest as we have faced this season and that includes the battle we had at Wharfedale.”

Cairns is right to appreciate the strength of Chester’s recent form. They had a subdued early start to the season picking up only 16 league points in the first 8 matches but in the last couple of months they have shown promotion chasing form. Although only currently lying 6th in the table Chester have a game in hand over most of the top 5 teams and in the last 6 weeks have picked up 27 league points out of a possible 30 points. A total only beaten by Caldy with 29 points out of a possible 30.

“Chester were somewhat affected by injury and lack of player availability at the start of the season” Cairns acknowledged “and they weren’t at their best when they visited us in round 2. They are climbing right back into the promotion mix now and they know if they can pick up a win against us on Saturday they will be right back in the hunt. This is a big match for both clubs”

The reverse fixture at the start of the season was a close affair with Caldy scraping home 18-10 in a match dominated by defences and few chances.

“We had the advantage up front in the first game” said Cairns “and on heavy winter pitches the strength of our forward pack generally gives us an edge. But Chester’s 3G pitch changes all of that. Chester know how to play on this surface and with home advantage they will be confident of picking up another win. Our lads are equally committed to keeping their winning record intact. It should be a Christmas Cracker of a game”

When asked to comment on his views ahead of this most important Christmas derby fixture the peerless Welsh Wizard Gavin Roberts was succinct, “It will be my 301st game for Caldy”

Chester are hosting a double fixture this weekend with Caldy’s 2nd xv playing against their Chester counterparts. Caldy’s 2nd xv are looking to maintain their truly impressive record of 11 bonus point wins from 11 outings and their match at Hare Lane kicks off at 12.30.

The National 2 North fixture between Chester and Caldy kicks off at 3 p.m.at Hare Lane. Matt Cairns has chosen the following squad for the match.

1. Jack Parker, 2. Ollie Hearn, 3 Derek Salisbury, 4. Jack Collister, 5. Tom Sanders, 6. Harrison Crowe, 7. Adam Aigbokhae, 8. JJ Dickinson 9. Cameron Davies, 10. Lewis Barker, 11. Ben Jones, 12. Mike Barlow, 13. Gavin Roberts, 14. Nick Royle, 15. Rhys Hayes 16. Martin Gerrard, 17. Callum Bennett, 18. Mike Cartmill, 19. John Whittaker, 20. Ted Stagg

For those unable to make tomorrow’s game, you can receive live score updates via the Caldy Twitter Account @CaldyRUFC