1st xv result - Doncaster Knights 48 - 0 Caldy Premiership Rugby CupMatch report - Guy Williams, The Rugby…

A View from JJ’s Bank
1st xv result – Cambridge 27 – 41 Caldy |
Missing five of the squad that had delivered the first ever home win against Nottingham the previous week was not a promising backdrop to the always tough visit to Cambridge. Ravers’ supporters shouldn’t have worried unduly as the Wirral side racked up their highest ever Championship score to return home with a bonus point which lifted them off the bottom of the table. Conditions were perfect for running rugby but a 7 am start and 5 hours on the road didn’t help Caldy who were 5 points down in the first minute after the home side’s big pack drove their hooker over. It was not an auspicious start. Lewis Barker’s dancing feet stepped their way to the line 15 minutes later and the Ravers were up and running, gaining parity in the collisions and the forward battle to provide a platform for The Rugby Paper’s man of the match Ollie Wynn and his half back partner Barker to orchestrate the visitors’ attack. ![]() Mike Barlow offloads to Nick Royle against Cambridge Image – John Lyon ![]() Connor Wilkinson in Nathan Rushton’s shadow against Cambridge Image – John Lyon Cambridge probably shaded the first 30 minutes but as the first half concluded, tries from Ollie Hearn and Ollie Wynn countered a penalty and a converted try from Cambridge to give Caldy a slight 15-19 advantage at the break. Matches between Cambridge and Caldy have always been close, and this game was no exception. Caldy’s point of difference came from their more decisive and purposeful attack. Full back Matt Kilcourse who throughout the game was rock solid under Cambridge’s barrage of bombs, attacked the line with power and pace to extend Caldy’s lead straight after the break to 15-26. Cambridge weren’t done, a couple of tries brought up their 4 try bonus point to bring them within two points of Caldy at 27-29 after a Barker penalty had previously stretched Caldy’s lead. Then on 70 minutes came the defining moment of the game. Cambridge had been camped on the Caldy line, recycling possession, and probing for weakness. Such was their control in this phase of play, a score to retake the lead looked increasingly likely. Inexplicably the home side’s former Newcastle and Cornish Pirates scrum half Ruaridh Dawson, forced an unnecessary and high-risk cross field kick which was tipped backwards by Lewis Barker into the grateful arms of Will Robinson. Although the Caldy winger still had the length of the field to navigate there was only ever going to be one winner in the foot race to the Cambridge line. Robbo touched down under the posts, to record what in essence was a ‘14 pointer’ sucking all the energy out of the Blood and Sand. Caldy finished strongly with a sublime score in the corner by Matt Kilcourse after unbelievably quick hands put the young fullback in for his second try of the game. Final score Cambridge 27 Caldy 41. There was a lot to commend in this Caldy win. The Ravers were more clinical in both decision making and execution than the home side. The unity and purposeful showing by all 23 players in the squad underpinned everything, with outstanding individual performances from some of the younger players catching the eye. Ollie Wynn comprehensively outshone his vastly more experienced opposite number, Matt Kilcourse backed up his good performance against Nottingham with another brave and assured display and speedster Will Robinson’s length of the field try changed the momentum and gave Caldy the win. Caldy’s match day squad contained 5 players who had stepped up from the 2nd xv with the 1st xv debut for Callum Butler being appropriately recognized with a quiet and dignified dress down ceremony on the long coach trip back to the Wirral. Since their promotion to the Championship in the 2022/23 season Caldy’s average points scored and conceded has been surprisingly consistent. The average deficit so far in the 2024/25 season is 10 points per game. |

This statistic together with the fact that, other than Hartpury, Caldy has beaten every single Championship club at least once is a clear indication that Caldy has stayed in the arm wrestle throughout its tenure in the Championship. An achievement given the huge disparity in resources compared to the rest of the Championship clubs.
Caldy’s 41-27 win against Cambridge was their highest ever points scored in a game in the Championship and the Wirral side’s improving form has brought 15 league points in their last 4 Championship games.
The Championship now goes into hibernation for the next 2 months, giving way to the Premiership Cup with next Saturday’s visit of Sale Sharks to Paton Field providing another very significant challenge for the Ravers.
Could the backing off a huge crowd at Paton Field provide the springboard for a first ever win against Premiership opponents ? You need to be there to find out !
Match report – John Lyon
Caldy 1st xv at Paton Field Saturday 1st February
Premiership Rugby Cup round 4
Caldy v Sale Sharks kick off 2.00pm
Match tickets are available to buy via our club website –
please go to https://caldyrugbyclub.com/buy-tickets-membership/
Also coming up this weekend :
Caldy 2nd xv at Paton Field Saturday 1st February
Halbro NW Bathtime Premier League
Caldy v Blackburn kick off 2.00pm
Caldy Rav3rs away Saturday 1st February
Halbro NW The Bay Travel Div 3 West
Wallasey v Caldy kick off 2.00pm
Caldy u18s away Sunday 2nd February
Halbro NW Senior Colts League A
Whitchurch v Caldy kick off 2.00pm
International Floodlit Friendlies at Paton Field Monday 3rd February
u17s / u18s Junior / Senior Colts
Caldy v Liceo Naval Rugby games kick off from 5.30pm onwards
Liceo Naval Rugby from Buenos Aires, Argentina are on their UK Tour including visiting Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales ! Caldy are again hosting their England leg of the tour so please come along to support the Colts games, plus food & refreshments in the clubhouse afterwards.
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Dicky’s Dinner
Caldy clubhouse lounge was packed last Friday for the return of Dicky’s Dinners. This was the first of three planned for 2025. It was a fantastic occasion all round with excellent 3 course dinner in a great atmosphere. Many thanks to everyone involved with organising the event, raffle prize donations, all the bar & catering team, plus all those who attended & generously contributed to the LOSW / Caldy Sports Fields Trust.

The grand raffle prize a gallon of whisky kindly donated by Caldy 1st xv was won by Steve Hill !
Image – Jane Kilpatrick
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Touch Referee Course held at Caldy RFC
Caldy Touch hosted the latest North West Touch referee level 1 course on Saturday.
It was great to see representation from Caldy, Hoylake, St.Anslems, Wirral Waves, Tritons, Otters and Cheetahs, Touch teams.
The session was organised by Caldy Touch’s Andy Sharpes, through England Touch and was facilitated by North West and international Touch referee Jordi Bitlloch.

Image – Andy Sharpes
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Invitation to fundraising night for Junior Colts 2025 Tour to Verona
Tickets are selling fast so please message Clare 07799 628016 to reserve tickets
Join Us for the Six Nations Bingo Bonanza!
Date: Friday 28th February 2025
Location: Marquee, Caldy Rugby Club
Time: 7pm
Get ready for a night of non-stop fun at the Six Nations Bingo Bonanza—the ultimate mix of games, music, and dancing ! What’s in Store ?
Thrilling Themed Bingo Games with fantastic prizes to be won !
Live DJ keeping the energy high and you on your feet !
Dance Floor Fun to let loose and celebrate your wins !
Amazing Prizes for the lucky winners—for single lines and full house – EYES DOWN !
Good Vibes all night long with friends, laughter, and community spirit !
If you’re looking for a fun night out, this is the place to be. Grab your friends, bring your dancing shoes, and prepare for an unforgettable evening !
Tickets: £40 includes welcome drink, loaded fries, 6 games bingo, DJ, challenges, quizzes, raffle, heads and tails!…and much more !
Reserve your spot now and be part of the Bingo Bonanza fun !
Message Clare 07799 628016 to reserve tickets
Let’s make it a night to remember !
All for a great cause supporting the Junior Colts Tour 2025 to Verona
