1st xv result - Ampthill 33 - 19 CaldyCaldy’s difficult start to the season continued at Ampthill as…
A View from JJ’s Bank
| 1st xv result – Bedford Blues 45 – 19 Caldy |
| This was not the start that Caldy wanted. A torrent of individual mistakes right across the Caldy squad matched the deluge that had resulted in a 30-minute delay to the start of the game. Five of the six Bedford tries came as a direct result of individual errors by Caldy and to add to the collective discomfort Ravers squandered four gilt edged scoring opportunities that ordinarily they would surely have finished off. In mitigation the majority of Caldy’s 1st xv had not seen any competitive rugby for three weeks and were ‘unbasted’ rather than undercooked. In contrast the Blues came into the opening fixture match hardened after hugely competitive outings against Saracens and Northampton Saints and how it showed. Caldy knock ons, wayward passes and ‘unkind’ bounces were expertly punished by Bedford. Early pressure by the Ravers was promising but after an unkind bounce from a dink over the top by Blues stand off Maisey wrong footed Matt Kilcourse to gift a score to Bedford, a contagious plague of unforced errors infected the Wirral side. With half time approaching the Ravers were 31-0 in arrears and the home side had wrapped up the try bonus point. Caldy could still have been within touching distance but for an inexplicable dropped ball at the back of a rampaging maul and a couple of overcooked penalty kicks to the corner. If there was to be a fightback the next score needed to be Caldy’s and Ollie Wynn duly obliged after a flowing movement sent the live wire scrum half on a scorching run to get the Ravers on to the scoreboard. Whatever elixir Matt Cairns and his coaching staff poured into the Ravers during the half time break it had the desired effect. A more focused Caldy side edged the second half in territory and possession as the home side’s discipline crumbled under pressure from the Caldy pack. A penalty try brought Caldy within touching distance at 31-14 only for an unfortunate slip by replacement scrum half Jacob Tansey gifting the Blues their 5th try. Such a calamity within seconds of his Championship debut did not unduly faze Tansey who subsequently impressed with an assured and composed performance in partnership with replacement standoff Tom Curtis. With the home side in disarray after a flurry of yellow cards, Callum Ridgway brought up the Ravers’ 3rd try from an unfamiliar left-wing berth and a try bonus point was in reach. Caldy’s continuous pressure nearly paid off as Nick Royle twice went close, but the bounce of the ball was unkind. In the final minute, the Blues broke away to score again leaving the Ravers with an unflattering score line of 45 -19. Despite the loss there were some notable performances. Debutant Freddie Stevenson was rock solid in the line out, Tristan Woodman was an aggressive and explosive carrier, and the replacement half backs Tansey and Curtis brought control and composure. The Caldy squad showed the necessary resilience and fortitude to put their mistakes behind them to put together an improved second half of rugby. They will be better for the outing as they look forward to the visit of Cambridge to Paton Field next Saturday 28th September 2024. Caldy 1st xv next game – HOME at Paton Field, Sat 28th Sept – Caldy v Cambridge 2nd xv result – Caldy walkover v Manchester Caldy 2nd xv next game – HOME at Paton Field, Sat 28th Sept – Caldy v Macclesfield 3rd xv result – Birchfield 7 – 34 Caldy The Rav3rs travelled to Birchfield for their third league match in the NOWIRUL Bay competition, with no less than 18 out of the 19 man squad having played minis and juniors at Caldy. A brilliant accolade for all the coaches throughout the years, who have given so much of their time to develop the next generation of talent for our club. The Rav3rs walked away from a hard fought (quite literally with Birchfield receiving two red cards) match, with a 34-7 Win. A combination of grit & determination from the pack and precise handling and speed from the backs, made for a terrific spectacle. Player of the match was one of our elder statesmen, Cary Wellington. He tackled anything that moved and had a war cry of, “They’re going nowhere” on repeat while in defence. Try scorers – Max Jones x 2, Hardisty, Leek, White and Waring. Conversions – Arista x 2 Next week the Rav3rs face a tough Oxton Parkonians who will be looking to get back to winning ways after a loss at the weekend. Caldy 3rd XV next game – AWAY at Holme Lane, Sat 28th Sept – Oxton Parkonians v Caldy |
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