Caldy – That Friday Feeling – 21st February ’25

There was initially only one senior fixture scheduled for Caldy this weekend with the 3^rd xv due to travel to Wirral RFC for a league fixture but even that fixture has been pulled as Wirral have conceded the match.

Unfortunately, both the 1^st xv and the 2^nd xv are also kicking their heels. The 1^st xv are not back into Championship league action until the visit of Chinnor to Paton Field on Saturday 22^nd March. The 2^nd xv have a week off after last week’s stunning last-minute win 21-22 against a strong Fylde side at the Woodlands. The Caldy side with an average age of just 20 years were heading for their first defeat in a record breaking 110 games before 18-year-old Rob Waring went over to score the winning try and preserve this extraordinary record.

The hiatus has provided a little time for Director of Rugby Gareth Davies to consider his plans for the rest of the season and the 2025/26 campaign.

“Caldy has a different operating model to most other Championship clubs” said Davies “without the resources of the larger Championship clubs our operating model is very firmly based on the player pool in the Northwest of England with a strong emphasis on the Wirral, Cheshire and Merseyside. We provide a platform for aspiring players to reach the best level they can outside the full-time professional ranks in the Premiership. The vast majority of the 1^st xv squad have either come through our own mini and junior pathway or have joined Caldy from other local clubs or Universities. So far this season we have used a total of 41 different players in the 1^st xv match day squad and we are all very proud of that statistic. It is hugely satisfying to see young players who have stepped up from our 2^nd xv competing very successfully at Championship level rugby.”

Davies recognizes it is very much a two-way street with young players joining from lower ranked local clubs and often more experienced players going the other way from Caldy to other local Wirral clubs, with Anselmians and Birkenhead Park both having a strong core of ex Caldy players in their ranks.

 “We would like to be in a position to occasionally loan out both up and coming and more senior players to help out other local clubs but there is a lot of red tape to contend with. The regulations currently only let us ‘loan out” players to sides at level 3 and level 4 which presently restricts us regarding the other Wirral clubs. But we are in discussions with the RFU to look for some relaxation in this regard to enable us to be a lot more proactive next season.”

However, during this current fallow period for the Ravers, Davies has been able to provide game time for three of the 1^st xv squad at level 4 Macclesfield where experienced senior players Charlie Attis and Nathan Rushton will join the up and coming Jack Ellam for the next 3 weeks as the Blues compete at level 4 in National 2 West.

To keep the rest of the senior squad ticking over until 22^nd March,  Davies has organized a couple of rugby training / game scenarios with local club Chester which should significantly spice up the normal training routine and the weekend before the Chinnor clash there is a squad bonding / team building session in Preston.

This full-on squad bonding / team building weekend will be rigorous. Upwards of 35 1^st xv squad members will be put through their paces in a series of grueling tests during Saturday and Sunday and as Davies explained a satisfactory all-round performance will be necessary for individuals to reaffirm their commitment to the Ravers.

“Being a Raver is an honour; it is what makes Caldy different. It is truly heartening that so many of the 1^st xv squad have signed up for 36 hours of arduous work and sacrifice to put us in the best place for the big Championship clash with Chinnor. WOLWAOTB”

Bar open tomorrow for Guinness Mens Six Nations Rugby on TV  
Caldy clubhouse Bar will be open tomorrow from 1.00pm
Wales v Ireland kick off 2.15pm followed by England v Scotland kick off 4.45pm
Everyone is welcome so please come along to support     

Community Rugby this Sunday 23rd February
With half-term in full swing, most age groups have training this Sunday. The u15s are entertaining another new club for the M&Js as we welcome Newport..
Minis
u6s, u7s, u8s, u9s, u10s, u11s training at home
u12s home v Warrington
Juniors
u13s & u14s training at home
u15s at home v Capenhurst & Newport
u16s away v Colwyn Bay 
Girls
u14s, u16s, u18s all at home training
Junior Colts
Rest weekend   
Note the deciding league game of the season between 1st placed Chester hosting 2nd placed Caldy has now been scheduled to be played on Sunday 16th March. 
Senior Colts
Rest weekend

Good luck to everyone & enjoy your rugby weekend !

But please remember “No referees, No games” – disrespect or verbal abuse of rugby match officials is totally unacceptable & has no place in rugby.

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Caldy 2nd xv Special Pre-match Lunch – Saturday 1st March 1.00pm  
Ahead of Caldy 2nd xv next home game and to celebrate their incredible unbeaten run of games we are hosting a special pre-match buffet style lunch in the clubhouse lounge on Saturday 1st March at 1.00pm before watching the Halbro NW Bathtime Premier league top of the table, local derby, home game at Paton Field between Caldy 2nd xv v Chester 2nd xv which kick offs at 3.00pm
Lunch price payable on the day = £15 per person 
Buffet menu – Chicken Balti, half Rice / half Chips, Naan bread & Mango chutney
If you want to book a place please email Phil Wylie – [email protected]

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Save the date
Saturday 14th June 2025
Caldy Rugby Club – End of Season Ball
Details to follow in due course

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You’re invited to our next Dicky’s Dinner 
Friday 4th April 2025
7.00pm for 7.30pm until late 
Three course dinner, bar & raffle in the clubhouse

To reserve your dinner place / places please pay by bank transfer
 £30 per head to:
Account name : SM&PP Dickinson
Sort code : 09-01-28
Account no : 48815348
Payment reference : Dicky’s Dinner

To book a table of 10 (with names) please contact Pauline Dickinson :
email : [email protected]
mobile : 07971 827717
If you wish to donate a raffle prize please also contact Pauline