Touch Rugby - British Diversity Awards nominationand all hands to the pump getting ready for…
A View from JJ’s Bank
| 1st xv result – Doncaster Knights 22 – 0 Caldy |
| Knights start well but Caldy fight back to deny bonus point Match report – Guy Williams, The Rugby Paper Doncaster Knights ………..22pts Tries: Olowofela 3, Smith 15, Bennett 28 Conversions: Bennett 3, 28 Penalty: Bennett: 40 Caldy …………….0pts Doncaster may well have won their fourth league game, but considering they were playing at home against the Championship’s bottom side who are yet to win a match, the Knights should have made certain of a bonus point, but the full-time squad failed as Caldy controlled possession and territory in the second half. Doncaster were outstanding in the first 40 minutes, scoring three tries on 3, 15 and 28 minutes by winger Jordan Olowofela, his 13th in league and cup, flanker Thom Smith and fly half Russell Bennett. Demonstrating genuine pace and power, the Knights’ authority at this stage suggested a resounding win, and with Bennett adding two conversions and a penalty, a promising second half seemed probable. However, Caldy were transformed and throughout, it was Doncaster who spent the vast majority of their time defending and failing to take the few chances they created. Head coach Joe Ford believed his side should have taken five points. He said: “The first half was good, and we got the positive start we asked for. But I thought Caldy held the ball well in the second half and that explains why we didn’t get the opportunities. And when we did, we were too inaccurate, so it was frustrating. But I am happy that Caldy didn’t score any points in the second half because at the half time team-talk we challenged the players to keep Caldy scoreless which we did.” Handling the ball skilfully and attacking non-stop, Caldy were a genuine threat. Scrum half Ollie Wynn and winger Michael Cartmill were prominent, and the Merseyside’s pack showed constant enthusiasm as they drove on, keeping the ball and gaining territory. They might have scored from two line-outs near Doncaster’s line, but on both occasions, Caldy threw away decent scoring opportunities and reprieved their opponents. Doncaster, considering an appeal against the RFU’s decision to approve Chinnor’s 18-13 win last week after the game was abandoned because of a floodlights’ failure, had chances at the end to score a fourth try, but carelessness resulted in failure. Despite Caldy’s eighth consecutive loss director of rugby Gareth Davies was far from downcast. He said: “Our second half was really good, and I thought our first was pretty good too. I’m pleased with the workrate and we are getting better all the time. We’ve had second row problems for eight weeks, but they are being resolved and we’ll be having a big push in January.” Doncaster : Veainu 8, Rokoduguni 6, Wacokecoke 7, Edwards 7 (Parry 54, 7), Olowofela 8, Bennett 8, Dolly 7 (Fox 67, 6), Turner 7 (McGuire 67, 6), Roberts 7(Ramasibana 74, 6), Jones 7 (Mulipola 54, 6), Murphy 7, Hopkinson 7 (Chapman 64, 6), Smith 8, Green 7(Smeaton 52, 7), Strong 8 Caldy : Barlow 7 (Robinson 54 7), Kilcourse 7, Ma’asi-White 7,Wilkinson 7 (Bedlow 50 7), Cartmill 7, Barker 7, Wynn 8 (Murry 62, 7), Weatherby 7 (Rushton 56, 7), Gallagher 7 (Hearn 50, 7), Sproston 7 (Higginson 56, 7), Burrow 7, Sanders 7 (Stevenson 70, 6), Ridgway 7, Woodman 7, Dickinson 7 Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys Attendance: 1,199 The Rugby Paper Star player – Russell Bennett, Doncaster Caldy 3rd xv result – Port Sunlight 14 – 57 Caldy Match report – Liam Devaney “The Rav3rs travelled across Wirral’s M53 divide to take on Port Sunlight, in a league and cup double header and won 57-14. The 18 man squad was made up of 15 caldy youth products and no less than 10 under 19s. It was great to have Orson O’Rourke, Dylan Carroll and Luke Denn return to the Rav3rs from university. The pack dominated in both attack and defence with their physicality, organisation and the will to win the collision. This gave our electric backs front foot ball and boy did they take it, showing excellent handling skills and brilliant pace. Had a number of offloads gone to hand and not resulted in knock on’s, the points scored could have been a lot higher. Port Sunlight played the game in great spirit, starting off well and getting the first points on the board. They never gave up and got the final points of the match. Next up is Birchfield at home, with an early kick off so the Rav3rs can support the 1st xv. Unfortunately messrs Wilson and Bishop have left Dave Arthur and Liam to take the team, while they enjoy the pre match lunch shenanigans.” u17s Junior Colts result – Caldy 41 – 15 Stockport Match report – Paul Clark  “It was 2nd vs 3rd in the top match of NW League A yesterday as the Junior Colts entertained a strong Stockport side with the young Ravers looking for their 5th Home win on the bounce. The Junior Colts have had more visits to Arrowe Park than Turkey Dinners this December and so started the game with just 16 players in the squad – but all of them were fired up for it and brought their A game. The first half was a very tight affair. Stockport scored an early penalty, but Caldy hit back through some quick thinking from Louis Hayes Green to touch down in a middle of a ruck that gone over Stockport’s try line. Caldy pummelled Stockport’s line but their defence held out, and the half ended with Stockport scoring a try of their own and at half time we were 10 all and in a battle. Caldy’s coaches asked for 10% more intensity and quicker ruck ball at half time and the lads bought it in spades as they took the game to Stockport in the second half. From the off, Caldy moved into a different gear – a cross field kick from Dylan Jones saw Theo Hendry score on the corner. Theo then took matters into his own hands, caught a kick on our 10m line by the dug outs, ran round and through Stockport scoring 10 seconds later in the opposite corner – a worldie !  A superb team try soon followed with some scintillating handling from the backs with Sylvain Pennington touching down. Two tries from props Oscar Song and Matthieu Sangare finished the game on a high for the ravers. Pace, power and skill had run in 31 points in the second half with only conceding one try at the other end. The match finished 41-15 to Caldy, the third game on the trot that the ravers had rocked up 40 points ! The lads are playing some fine rugby with attacking system clicking after a lot of hard work on the training ground. We are now just one point behind leaders Chester who we play away at Hare Lane on Sunday 5th January. Please come and support the lads if you can and help them drive them over the line !”   Images – Barry Macdonald Rugby coming up next weekend : Caldy 1st xv at Paton Field Saturday 21st December The Championship Caldy v London Scottish kick off 2.00pm Caldy 2nd xv at Paton Field Saturday 21st December Halbro NW Bathtime Premier League Caldy v Manchester kick off 2.00pm Caldy Rav3rs at Paton Field Saturday 21st December Halbro NW The Bay Travel Div 3 West Caldy v Birchfield kick off 12.30pm Caldy u18s away at Heaton Moor Sunday 22nd December Halbro NW Senior Colts League A Heaton Moor v Caldy kick off 2.00pm |
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