The Friday Feeling – 7 February 2020

Last week’s bonus point 31-12 victory away at Otley brought Caldy their 20th consecutive win since the start of the season but this weekend they face their biggest challenge yet when 3rd placed North Manchester side Sedgley Tigers come to Paton Field.

This top of the table clash will be the first time the sides have met since April 2017. In that season other than the two fixtures against Sedgley, Caldy swept all before them on their way to the league title. Sedgley won home and away against the Wirral side, with narrow victories over Caldy in the first and last games of the season. The final fixture between the sides at Paton Field was memorable for the intervention of a large Goose that interrupted the play and the players with attempted mid field tackles!

Sedgley currently sit some 21 league points behind Caldy but in February the Wirral side plays Sedgley Tigers home and away and also faces 2nd placed Fylde at their Woodlands ground.

Caldy’s Head Coach Matt Cairns believes that February is pivotal for the club.

“Although we have been going well, February could change everything. Fylde, Sedge and Hinckley are all very much in the mix with us. Sedge play us at Paton Field and again at their Park Lane ground in a couple of weeks’ time.”

“Sedge are a really good side. They have lots of power up front and in their midfield and possess a magician of a fly half in Steve Collins. Steve Collins is one of the best tactical and place kickers in the National Leagues. Last time we played against him he moved us all over the pitch, it was exhausting and nullified our home advantage. I expect it to be a very tight contest and we have to be wary of his drop goal threat. He is that good, he can win pretty much win this game on his own,”

Sedgley know that a couple of victories over Caldy can lift them into second place over Fylde and close the gap at the top of the table. This Merseyside v Manchester clash is now very much Caldy’s biggest game of the season and the Wirral side will be looking for a big crowd to support them in their quest for a 21st consecutive victory.

Head Coach Matt Cairns has selected the following squad for the game against Sedgley Tigers which kicks off at Paton Field at 2.15 p.m.

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. Mike Cartmill, 15. Rhys Hayes 16. Nyle Davidson, 17.Callum Bennett, 18. Jack Collister, 19. Ollie Hearn, 20. Jack Parker