That Friday Feeling – 2nd February 2024

Saturday 27th March 2018 was a day like no other for Caldy supporters. Twenty-five or so years before, Caldy had been contesting tough local fixtures at level 9 but on 27th March 2018 the mighty Coventry RFC came to Paton Field for a rearranged league fixture at level 3. It was scarcely believable.

Caldy supporters of a certain age including Graham Armitage, Graham McGaffney and Mick Young were in dreamland. The club that had produced some of the greatest ever players in English rugby history were actually coming to Paton Field to play the Ravers in a National 1 game, as equals. Well not quite!

Although the great David Duckham and Peter Rossborough were not in the Coventry match day squad, former All Blackcentre Sam Tuitupou was. Coventry were romping away with National 1, scoring an average of more than 40 points a gameand hammering the best that National 1 had to offer. Tuitupou and his full time Coventry team mates were going to test Caldy like never before.

Although Armitage, McGaffney, Young and all the other fervent home supporters were hoping that at their absolute best the Ravers could just perhaps do something incredible,there was a snag. In keeping with the Ravers’ aspirational motto (“Win or Lose we are on the Booze”), nine of the normal starting 1st xv were away on an overseas stag weekend on the 27th of March due to it previously being planned as a ‘blank weekend for National 1’.

There was only one solution, so nine 2nd xv players were drafted into the Ravers’ match day squad. Most had not yet featured in a National league fixture and some were just out of colts. Down by 40 points at half time the home supporters (particularly Graham Armitage) were fearful, but in the second half how the Ravers rallied. The youngsters took the game to Coventry, defending resolutely and scoring a couple of well worked tries. Although losing 12-55 it was a demonstration of what Caldy RFC is all about. Guts, resilience and giving everything for the full 80 minutes.

Caldy’s Head Coach Matt Cairns will be looking for more of the same spirit and resilience tomorrow.

“For the last two games against Hartpury and Cambridge we have fallen away in the second half, and it has really cost us. It has been disappointing. Coventry are a full-time side and one of the very best in the Championship, we must give a full 80-minute performance “

As far as Matt Cairns is aware none of the squad have a ‘stag do’ this weekend and accordingly he has selected the following squad for Saturday’s 1st XV Championship fixture against Coventry at Paton Field. The match kicks off at the early time of 2 pm.

1. A Aigbokhae
2. O Hearn
3. J Sproston
4. C Atkinson.
5. T Sanders
6. M Gerrard
7. C Booth
8. JJ Dickinson
9. C Pilgrim
10. R Hayes
11. L Beer
12. M Barlow
13. C Wilkinson
14. N Royle
15. M Kilcourse
16. M Gallagher
17. N Rushton
18. M Weatherby
19. S Olyott
20. C Ridgway
21.  J Murray
22. M Cartmill
23. L Barker

WOLWAOTB

There is no 2nd xv game this week.

PLUS tonight – Friday Night Rugby at Caldy  
Clubhouse & bar open from 6pm onwards to host
Birkenhead School v Stonyhurst College kick off 6.30pm
followed by Guinness Six Nations on TV – unmissable
tournament opener – France v Ireland kick off 8.00pm 

Caldy Community Rugby
Tomorrow – thanks in advance to our u15s for helping on gate, parking & raffle

Sunday 4 February
Minis, Juniors & Girls training or games v Old Parkonians / Wigan / Tarleton / Mold
u17s no game – training
u18s Senior Colts away – Penrith v Caldy kick off 2.00pm

Tuesday 6 February
Liverpool City Region Touch League at Caldy RFC – kick off 7.00pm

Good luck everyone & enjoy your weekend of rugby at Caldy !