Caldy Senior Colts Win the Cheshire Cup

Following on from Caldy Rugby Club’s promotion to the Rugby Championship on Saturday an inspired Senior Colt’s team travelled to Lymm RFC on Sunday to contest the Senior Colt’s Cheshire Cup Final.

Match Report

At Lymm the weather was bright, but a blustery easterly wind made for difficult playing conditions. This was Caldy Senior Colts last game at age grade rugby, and they saved the best until last. Caldy exited well from the kick-off with scrum half Jim Cowan finding touch on halfway. From the lineout Caldy pressure resulted in a Winnington Park knock on and the scrum awarded to Caldy on the 22 metre line. Winnington Park were penalised at the scrum and Caldy took the lead 3 – 0 through the penalty kick taken by Jack Paziuk.

Caldy scored the first try of the match after 11 minutes, Jim Cowan turnover on halfway saw “Player of the Match” Ollie Elliott step in at scrum half, with Jim trapped in the ruck. Ollie spotted the gap and scored after beating full back on the outside. Score 8 – 0.

The Assistant Referee raised his flag for foul play following a lineout where Caldy were awarded a penalty. Following consultation with his assistant the referee issued a red card to a Winnington Park player. With 60 plus minutes remaining Winnington Park rallied well with line breaks from Charlie Hyde and Toby Creed, that were halted with some great tackles from full back Jack Grundy and number 8 George Hassall.

The defence held firm and with Caldy adapting better to the windy conditions they started to exert some authority on the game. Some excellent driving by the Caldy forwards saw a line break by Marcus Barnes, quick ruck ball passed through the hands for Sam Nichol to score on his 18^th Birthday.

Half Time: Caldy 13 – 0 Winnington Park

The second half started competitively with both sides swapping the ball and territory, defences remained on top as the forwards battled it out. Following a great rip from Chim Oneyoji, Barney Matthews broke the line, with quick ball from the ruck Ollie Elliott passed the ball inside to a supporting Jim Cowan who scored under the posts. Jack Paziuk slotted the conversion, score 20 – 0 after 51 minutes.

The next score came with the best move of the game, with elements straight off the training field. Caldy won ruck ball inside their own 22, half break by Jim Cowan and off-load to Toby Elkerton. Toby carried the ball over the halfway and with support from inspirational captain Harry Wilson, quick ball on the 22 ensued. The forward pod lined up for a Jab, a flick from young Jack Wilson to Ollie Elliott and a fantastic line on the inside from Jack Paziuk saw Caldy extend the lead to 25 – 0. Unfortunately Jack was unable to convert the try from under the sticks.

However the next score came from a converted penalty by Jack Paziuk after Winnington Park were caught offside. 28 – 0.

The next score went to Winnington Park who remained competitive throughout the match. With forwards and backs combining Winnington made their way up the pitch from inside their own half. Once in the 22 they took the ball through six phases before Bruce McGrogan powered over under the posts. Toby Creed added the 2 points 28 – 7.

The final score of the match was scored following an Up and Under from Ollie Elliott, after a couple of bounces where Winnington Park failed to collect in the blustery conditions the ball fell into the hands of Caldy’s most improved player season Thomas Hayley.

Final Score – Caldy 33 – 7 Winnington Park

Head Coach – Lee Matthews

Coaches – Steve Elliott, Conrad Rafique, Craig Elkerton

Caldy U18’s Senior Colts Squad – Iwan Baker, Rhys Baker, Marcus Barnes, Jim Cowan, Toby Elkerton, Ollie Elliott, Jack Grundy, George Hassall, Tom Hayley, Adam Horrocks, Oliver Last, Will Leonard, Dominic Loyden, Sam Nichol, Andrew Marcus, Barney Matthews, Rian O’Malley, Chim Oneyoji, Jack Paziuk, Hamish Rafique, Angus Trippett, Sam Watson, Harry Wilson, Jack Wilson.