That Friday Feeling – 24th November 2023

With Caldy’s 1st xv kicking their heels this weekend in the Championship after the demise of Jersey Reds, the focus switches to Caldy’s 2nd xv who have probably their toughest challenge of the season in the Cheshire Cup away at Priory Park, Macclesfield.

Playing a side sitting in third place at level 5 having only lost a single league game this season is a clear step up for Caldy’s 2nd xv as coach Andy Soutar reflected.

“We don’t often get a chance to play 1st xv opposition. Playing Macc’s 1st xv will test us as never before. At the end of last season, we played Jersey, who were level 7, and we just sneaked the win. There is a gulf in physicality and intensity between level 7 and level 5 and we will need to be at our very best to compete”.

Macclesfield’s Priory Park is one of the best rugby venues in the North of England with always a vociferous and passionate support. Historically wins at Priory Park have been few and far between for any Caldy sides. Tomorrow Caldy is fielding a young side with most ofthe squad in their early twenties. Throughout the early part of this season these talented youngsters have scored tries a plenty in the 2nd xv league, but Macclesfield’s 1st xv poses an entirely different challenge.

The old rugby adage that ‘forwards win games and the backs just determine the size of the score’ is likely to be prescient for tomorrow’s encounter. Although Caldy have some experience with loose forwards and backs, Ridgway, Crowe, Murray, and Barker either coming back from injury or gaining some valuable game time, it is likely to be in the tight exchanges where the game will be decided. Caldy’s youthful tight forwards will surely face their biggest test yet. Soutar has set expectations accordingly.

“Over the past few seasons we have perhaps dominated in the Cotton Traders Premier Division but tomorrow we are underdogs, not only because of the strength and experience of the opposition who are pushing for a return to the National leagues but the passion from a Macclesfield home crowd isn’t something many of the younger Caldy lads will be used to. I hope Caldy supporters will travel to support these young Ravers. It is going to be fierce”.

Caldy’s 2nd xv fixture away against Macclesfield in the Cheshire Cup kicks off at Priory Park at 3 pm on Saturday.

Caldy coaches Andy Soutar and Christian Jones have selected the following squad for Saturday’s Cheshire Cup match against Macclesfield.

1. W Sanderson 2. J Ellam 3. M Wetherby 4. A McNamee 5. S Olyott 6. H Crowe

7. C Ridgway 8. L Cox 9. J Murray 10. L Barker 11. B Jones 12. S Cross 13. J Mitchell

14. E Edwards 15. M Kilcourse 16. A Kelly 17. J Ralph 18. M Deehan 19. N Royle

20. R Cooke