That Friday Feeling – 10th March 2023

Last weekend Caldy’s senior sides had very mixed fortunes, with the 2nd xv clinching the Halbro Premier Division title after a 26-12 home win against Fylde, whilst the 1st xv slumped to a 71-14 loss away against Jersey.

Caldy’s 2nd xv coach Andrew Soutar was delighted with the win, which came in slightly unusual circumstances. “This was an important game, but unfortunately, Fylde arrived short-handed. To ensure it was a good contest, we lent Fylde a couple of players. It was nearly a banana skin of our own making. Sam Olyott, who has been excellent all season, volunteered to play for Fylde. Sam was again in inspired form and was very clearly the Man of the Match……playing for Fylde against Caldy! In the end, rugby and Caldy were the winners. It was a proud day for the squad.”

This week Caldy’s 2nd xv are away at Rossendale in a league and cup double header with the kick-off scheduled for 3 pm.

In contrast, the 1st xv’s recent impressive league form deserted them in Jersey as they went down to the heaviest defeat in their inaugural Championship season. The squad was perhaps somewhat undercooked after their momentum in the league was stalled by the recent run of matches in the Championship cup competition and a fallow week before the Jersey fixture. A very impressive Jersey squad took full advantage. Their combination of power, pace and accuracy was too much for the Ravers. There were chances for Caldy to snatch a 4 try bonus point, but Jersey’s ferocious determination meant that the Ravers and their 400 or so travelling supporters left the island pointless but with memories of a hugely enjoyable pre- and post-match experience.

This week Caldy has a huge home fixture against Ampthill. Ampthill sneaked the win earlier in the season. With both clubs at the wrong end of the Championship table, a lot is riding on the outcome of this match. A vociferous and supportive home crowd will be massively important to help the Ravers to shake off last week’s disappointing result.

Caldy RFC is pleased to record that former Caldy youth player Louis Fletcher who started in the Caldy minis and played through all the age groups before moving to Wales to study at Swansea University, has been selected in the Wales Under 20 squad for this evening’s Under 20 international fixture against Italy in Treviso. Congratulations to Louis on this honour.

Head Coach Matt Cairns has selected the following squad for the vitally important home fixture against Ampthill, which kicks off at 3 pm.

1. Aigbokhae 2. Hearns 3. Rushton 4. Dickinson S 5. Gerrard 6. Davidson 7. Ridgway 8. Birch 9. Pilgrim 10. Hayes 11. Beer 12. Baker 13. Bibby 14. Royle 15. Gourlay 16. Sanders 17. Clarke 18. Higginson 19. Parker 20. Crowe 21. Murray 22. Barlow 23. Cartmill