That Friday Feeling – 24.1.20

Playing against such a committed side as Luctonians is never easy, especially in Leominster where the home crowd is so connected to the players. The collective pride in their community was evident throughout a tough and absorbing match. Any attack by the home side was accompanied by a collective drumbeat on the advertising hoardings but such was the pressure of Caldy’s relentless defensive wall the drumbeat never progressed to a drum roll as Caldy ran out winners 31 – 7.

Caldy’s 18th consecutive win of the season pleased Head Coach Matt Cairns but in a very competitive National 2 North there is no let up and this weekend will be no exception when a resurgent Hull side visit Paton Field.

“Hull were a good side when we played them away earlier in the season and they now have kicked on again with a number of players back from injury and some great new signings. We are in for an examination this weekend.” said Cairns. “We know they will be super tough up front, but we were also very impressed with them out wide last time out. They have some real pace and ability.”

The Yorkshire side sits in mid table, but such is the level of competition, with 44 points they are just 5 points above Luctonians who currently occupy one of the relegation places.

However, their league position is deceptive. Hull have won 6 of their last 8 matches and they boast the third best defensive record in the league with their points conceded total just being slightly inferior to 2nd placed Fylde.

Hull’s Director of Rugby Gary Pearce credited their latest victory over Chester to the strength of their forward pack and in particular their impressive front row which has been boosted by the return from injury of tight head prop Ben Bootham and the signing of 32 year old ex Premiership prop Charlie Beech. The 135kg prop has enjoyed spells at Wasps, Bath and latterly Championship sides Yorkshire Carnegie and Coventry before arriving at Hull.

Hull’s recent run of form started with a win away at Fylde’s Woodlands ground when the South Blackpool side were league leaders, and they will be hoping to repeat the feat by downing the current league leaders Caldy at Paton Field this weekend.

Matt Cairns has selected the following squad for the match against Hull which kicks off at 2.15 pm at Paton Field on Saturday

1. John Whittaker, 2. Ted Stagg, 3 Derek Salisbury, 4. Martin Gerrard, 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. Jack Collister, 17. Callum Bennett, 18. Nyle Davidson, 19. Jack Parker, 20. Ollie Hearn