That Friday Feeling – 9th February 2024

‘Hwyl’ is a Welsh word. It is difficult to define in English but if you are Welsh, you know what it means. A rough translation could be ‘emotional fervour’ or something similar. Hwyl is necessary to win through when you are the persistent underdog. It is more than passion and endeavour; it is the force that enables the collective struggle against the odds. Welsh rugby is all about hwyl. It lifts the people and the team, gives them common cause and a chance. Tomorrow the hwyl will need to be within every Welshman if they are to have a chance at Twickenham.

It is Caldy RFC’s 100-year anniversary dinner this evening. It will be a celebration of Caldy’s hwyl.  For the last 30 of these 100 years Caldy has been the persistent underdog. Rising through the leagues from level 9 to level 2, it is difficult to remember a time during this fantastic 30 year journey when Caldy could ever be considered as wearing the tag of favourites.

Resilience, togetherness, skill and hwyl have achieved the remarkable. It has been an unbelievable journey. Perhaps during the last 30 years the dramatic view across Paton Field to the mountains of Snowdonia has infused all of Caldy’s players and supporters with Welsh hwyl.

Tonight, but possibly not tomorrow, all at Caldy will be Welsh………even Barrie Pilgrim.

Caldy am Byth.

Matt Cairns has selected the following squad for Saturday’s 1stXV rearranged Championship fixture against Bedford at Paton Field. The match kicks off at the early time of 2 pm.

1. N Rushton
2. M Gallagher
3. M Weatherby
4. C Atkinson
5. T Sanders
6. M Gerrard
7. C Booth
8. JJ Dickinson
9. C Pilgrim
10. L Barker
11. L Beer
12. M Barlow
13. C Wilkinson
14. R Ma’asi-White
15. R Hayes
16. T Stagg
17. A Aigbokhae
18. J Sproston
19. S Dickinson
20. E Murphy
21. J Murray
22. M Cartmill
23. S Rogers

Tonight Caldy’s 2nd xv take on Sedgley Park under lights at their North Manchester Park Lane ground. The match kicks off at 7.30 pm.

A big thank you to Steve & Bridget Leek, the Kerwick family & Caldy u12s for helping with parking, gate, shop & raffle tomorrow – see raffle prizes below

Community Rugby
Saturday 10 Feb – u12s curtain raiser Caldy v Chester  kick off 12.30 pm

Sunday 11 Feb  – Minis & Juniors Training &/or games v Chester / Broughton Park
– Girls at home                  Caldy v Broughton Park kick-off 1.00 pm
– u18s Senior Colts away  Stockport v Caldy kick off 2.00 pm

Good luck to everyone & enjoy your rugby weekend!