Touch Rugby - British Diversity Awards nominationand all hands to the pump getting ready for…
A View from JJ’s Bank
| 1st xv result – Ealing 55 – 26 Caldy |
 Ward happy as Willemse puts Ealing in cruise control Match report – Rob Morrow, The Rugby Paper Ealing …………….55pts Tries: Kernohan 2, 26, Uzokwe 16, Willemse 19, Montgomery 32, Bird-Tulloch 42, Smid 69, Harris 74, 80 Conversions: Willis 17, 20, 33, 43; Worboys 75 Caldy……………..26pts Tries: Hearn 46, Mitchell 51, Penalty 55, Ma’asi-White 72 Conversions: Barker 47, 52 Ealing Trailfinders ended 2024 in winning style as they swept aside Caldy in a nine-try victory at Vallis Way. Ealing director of rugby Ben Ward said: “We like to play, obviously, winning rugby but we like to play attacking rugby. We want to play, and score tries, I’m really pleased with where we’re at the moment.” Top met bottom as beleaguered Caldy sought only their second league win this season against Ealing, who’d only lost once. Hooker Michael Willemse was held up over the line before but centre Francis Moore fed winger Angus Kernohan down the right for the first try. Moore’s vital defensive strip propelled Ealing up-field as Caldy’s discipline evaporated. One such infringement carried Ealing to 5m out. Willemse’s lineout found flanker Simon Uzokwe who rumbled over and Craig Willis converted. Ealing’s advantage grew when Willemse barged his way across from close range. Things deteriorated for Caldy when fly-half Lewis Barker saw yellow for a slap down: Kernohan flew instantly into the left-hand-corner. Try number five arrived when Eleftherios Zagiriadis’ powerful carry, supported by No.8 William Montgomery was followed up, Willis landing his third conversion. After half-time, Ealing accelerated. Willemse, impressive throughout, carried with Reuben Bird-Tulloch this time the opportunistic Ealing man, profiting from the second play. Caldy then made hay as Rayn Smid, a half-time substitute, was sin-binned for a high shot. Hooker Ollie Hearn benefited with Caldy’s first try, Barker converting. Then visiting winger William Robinson rampaged clear, Barker kicking Caldy to 14. Ealing’s ill-discipline got worse as Montgomery, for not retreating 10m, was sent to the naughty step. That culminated in a Caldy penalty try. For his illegal (and unsuccessful) attempted prevention, Matas Jurevicius then also saw yellow. Thirteen-man Ealing managed the game cannily as Smid atoned for his earlier error by grabbing a try. Caldy secured their deserved bonus-point when centre, Reketi Ma’asi-White ran in unopposed. Ealing, though, finished flamboyantly with winger Ben Harris bagging a late brace. EALING: Bodily 6, Kernohan 9, Bird-Tulloch 8, Moore 5 (O’Brien 70, 6), Harris 8, Willis 8 (Worboys 70, 7), Hampson 7 (Stronge 70, 7); Zigiriadis (Chilvers 56, 7) 6, Willemse (C) 6 (Terry 56, 6), Alo 7 (Davis 56, 6), Jurevicius 7, Cutmore 8, Bridge 7 (Smid 41, 6), Uzokwe 7 (De Wee 62, 7), Montgomery 8 CALDY: Kilcourse 5, Mitchell 5, Ma’asi-White 6, Bedlow 6, Robinson 7 (Wilkinson 60, 5), Barker 6 (Attis 60, 5), Murray 7 (Tansey 43, 6); Weatherby 6 (Rabbette 65, 7), Hearn (C) 8 (Ellam 65, 7), Sproston 6 (Rushton 58, 5), Stevenson 5, Sanders 5 (Groves 43, 6), Riley 5, Woodman 6, Ridgway 7 Referee: Alexander Thomas Attendance: 700 The Rugby Paper Star Player – Michael Willemse – Ealing  Caldy Assistant Coach, Richard Vasey, said after the game : “Immense pride really on that second half performance, we were staring down the barrel at half time, 30 odd points down, did’nt get much of a look in first half really, then to come out & put in that performance in the second half to get a bonus point, some of the tries we scored were brilliant, best we’ve scored all season !” “We did’nt really change the plan at half time, we always came here with a plan to try & keep the ball, try & move them around, try & present different pictures to them to what they’re used to, I think first half we struggled to do it because of how efficient they are, second half we got a bit more ball, obviously got an early score which helped, then I think we caused them some problems so yes the plan was stick with it.” “We’ve gone toe to toe in the second half with probably the best team in the league on current form, some of the rugby we played was outstanding. I think the challenge for us now is to do that against some of the teams that are in & around us for the second part of the season & keep up to those levels.” Rugby coming up in the New Year: Caldy 1st xv at Paton Field Saturday 18th January The Championship Caldy v Nottingham kick off 2.00pm Match tickets are available to buy via our club website – please go to https://caldyrugbyclub.com/buy-tickets-membership/ Caldy 2nd xv at Paton Field Saturday 11th January Halbro NW Bathtime Premier League Caldy v Wirral kick off 2.00pm Caldy Rav3rs away Saturday 11th January Halbro NW The Bay Travel Div 3 West Wirral v Caldy kick off 2.00pm Caldy u18s at Paton Field Sunday 19th January Halbro NW Senior Colts League A Caldy v Lymm kick off 2.00pm Community Rugby this Sunday 5th January Hope you all had fantastic Christmases and that all your baubles were oval… Some changes to the fixture list for this Sunday….u11s are now at home to Liverpool Collegiate & u15s are now playing Mold and Southport – both away. The weather is looking seasonal so may need our first frost pitch inspection of the season ! Liam and Macca – will you have your keys at the ready please ! Minis u6s training at home u7s, u8s, u9s, u10s & u11s at home &/or away v Liverpool Collegiate u12s away v Birkenhead Park Juniors u13s away v Liverpool Collegiate u14s home v Liverpool Collegiate u15s away v Mold & Southport u16s home v Helsby Girls u14s, u16s, u18s all at home training Junior Colts u17s away v Chester kick off 12:30pm Senior Colts u18s rest week After a challenging 2024 with unprecedented rainfall & recurring storms, we want to especially thank all our LOSW grounds team, volunteers & helpers for going above & beyond, week in – week out, to ensure our rugby games get played at Paton Field every weekend whatever the weather throws at us. An outstanding effort & long may it continue ! Happy New Year to everyone & looking forward to kicking off 2025 soon at Caldy RFC ! |
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