Championship rugby is like waiting for a number 47 bus, nothing for a couple of…
A View from JJ’s Bank
| 1st xv result – Doncaster Knights 48 – 0 Caldy |
| Premiership Rugby Cup Match report – Guy Williams, The Rugby Paper Doncaster …….. 48pts Tries: Holden 32, 80, Rokoduguni 39, 47, Bunting 5, Smeaton 9, Wadsworth 57, Chapman 68 Conversions: Dolly 5, 39, 47; Bunting 68 Caldy ………………..0pts Doncaster’s third win in the cup has given them the outside chance of a quarter-finals against Exeter, but that depends on the outcome of the clash between Sale and Newcastle. However, at Castle Park, there was no doubt as to the result as Doncaster, playing with pace and authority for the entire 80 minutes, won by eight tries to nil. While the pack dominated possession, it was the backs who sparkled to score six tries, two each by full-back Maliq Holden and Semesa Rokoduguni, the ex-Bath and England wing. Fly-half Morgan Bunting, who also enjoyed a solid all-round match, opened the scoring and later added a conversion after taking over kicking duties from scrum-half Alex Dolly. Doncaster head coach Joe Ford said: “I’m very pleased and to keep Caldy to nil was brilliant. We spoke in mid-week about delivering a professional display and we got it. The defence in the forwards stopped Caldy’s rolling maul from scoring three tries, so for us to stop them was a highlight. I thought our fly half Bunting got the team going well and he fed the outside backs and was a threat with a couple of breaks. The Premiership Cup has been excellent for us, playing on bigger stages. The win at Sale was outstanding and, hopefully, we can now take this momentum into the Championship when it resumes in March.” Caldy may have lost for the sixth time in the cup and failed to conquer Doncaster’s line, but they played with plenty of spirit and could have scored once before the interval and with more care should have broken through three times in a 10-minute spell approaching the hour mark. Losing two attacking lineouts were blunders, and being unable to dictate to Doncaster’s aggressive and motivated pack when their forwards were under pressure, ensured the Yorkshire club survived. The Wirral team, in which full-back Matt Kilcourse stood out with his enterprise and willingness to run at Doncaster’s defence, were also handicapped by the yellow card against replacement forward Nathan Rushton on 70 minutes. The game was memorable for winger Sam Wadsworth, on loan to Doncaster from Lymm in National Two North, as he scored the sixth try on his Castle Park debut. Doncaster: Holden, Rokoduguni, Kerr, Edwards, Cross, Bunting, Dolly (Fox 49), Mulipola (Davidson 40), Roberts (Chapman 46, ), Jones (Thiede 46), Murphy (c) (Hulme 78), Hopkinson, Strong (Davies 72), Smeaton, Ramasibana (Teague 57) Caldy: Kilcourse, Robinson, Wilkinson, Barlow (Carroll 64) Wiggins, Rogers (Attis 56), Tansey, Weatherby (Rushton 52), Gallagher (Ellam 52) Sproston (c) (Higginson 52), Groves, Sanders (Stevenson 71), Olyott, Ridgway Referee: Ian Tempest Attendance: 1,002 The Rugby Paper Star Player: Maliq Holden – Doncaster  Caldy debutants Dylan Carroll & Lucas Wiggins Image – Caldy RFC Yesterday was a special day for these two individuals who made their competitive 1st XV debuts for Caldy. Dylan Carroll & Lucas Wiggins are both products of our successful minis and juniors and more recently our Colts program of which we’re extremely proud ! Congratulations lads on the achievement, many more to follow. 2nd xv result Halbro NW Bathtime Premier League Fylde Hawks 21 – 22 Caldy A hat-trick of tries by Sam Roberts, a conversion by Dan Rabbette & a try by Rob Waring gave Caldy the narrowest of wins in a hard fought away game v Fylde. Another incredible team effort made the difference and congratulations to everyone involved both on & off the pitch. Caldy 2nd xv now sit 26 points clear at the top of the Premier League and continue their unbeaten run of 110 games in all competitions !  Caldy coaches Christian Jones & Andrew Soutar bask in glory with the victorious Caldy 2nd xv squad Image – Caldy RFC 3rd xv result Halbro NW The Bay div 3 West Caldy 20 – 26 Ellesmere Port A fiercely contested top of the table clash on Saturday saw a well drilled, disciplined and streetwise Ellesmere Port side take the Win, in a close contest. The Rav3rs controlled large parts of the game but couldn’t keep composure at key times and in the opposition’s danger zone. The game could have gone either way and both teams pushed hard until the final whistle, in the end, Ellesmere Port showed why they are top of the league. It was great to see Louis McGowan having another run out for the Rav3rs, he showed great leadership and experience in the pack, supported by another experienced forward in Chris Stonall. Stone Cold was supported by two of his former colts team mates, Jack Lavin and Loz Mourakach, both of whom had fine games in the backs. Next week sees the Rav3rs playing Wirral 3rd xv, as the only senior mens team taking to the field. Your support would be welcome, in what I am sure will be a fiery and hotly contested game ! u18s Senior Colts result Cheshire Plate Quarter Final New Brighton 22 – 39 Caldy Caldy Senior Colts knock-out competition run continued with a great win away v New Brighton. A fantastic achievement to make it through to the Semi-Final in March. Special mention for injured Harri Williams who came to watch & support his teammates but borrowed some boots then played the whole game – outstanding effort ! Rugby coming up next weekend : Caldy 3rd xv away Saturday 22nd February Halbro NW The Bay Travel Div 3 West Wirral v Caldy Rav3rs kick off 2.00pm Caldy u17s away Sunday 23rd February Halbro NW Junior Colts League A Chester v Caldy kick off 12.30pm The deciding league game of the season between 1st placed Chester hosting 2nd placed Caldy. Only 1 point separates them both at the top of the Colts League A table. Should be a fantastic game of Colts rugby & well worth making the short trip next Sunday afternoon to support the future Rav3rs at Chester RUFC, Hare Lane, Littleton Chester CH3 7DB. Rugby coming up the following weekend : Caldy 2nd xv at Paton Field Saturday 1st March Halbro NW Bathtime Premier League Caldy v Chester kick off 2.00pm Caldy 3rd xv away Saturday 1st March Halbro NW The Bay Travel Div 3 West Newton-le-Willows v Caldy Rav3rs kick off 2.00pm – Save the date – Saturday 14th June 2025 Caldy Rugby Club – End of Season Ball Details to follow in due course |
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