Caldy – That Friday Feeling 30th May ’25

The final game of the Championship season has the hugely successful and adventurous Bedford Blues team coming to Paton Field. The Blues have cemented second place in the Championship behind winners Ealing Trailfinders who secured the league title at Paton Field a fortnight ago. The Ravers will be looking to end the season on a high after what Ravers’ stand off Lewis Barker acknowledged was a poor performance away against London Scottish last week. “For some reason we just weren’t at it. It certainly wasn’t our finest 80 minutes. We will be looking to put it right this Saturday and finish the season strongly”

The Ravers have only once beaten the Blues when back in January 2023 Barker’s introduction ignited possibly the finest game of 15 a side rugby ever seen at Paton Field as the home side ran out winners by 36 points to 28. Forward dominance had seen Caldy go in at the break with a 21-14 lead but at the restart Bedford came roaring back with two converted scores. At 21-28 and the Blues playing fast, adventurous rugby it seemed the Ravers were spent until Twinkle Toes Barker entered the fray. The Ravers out-played Bedford at their own game and sneaked the win 36-28 with two tries in the last two minutes by Ollie Hearn and by the legend Nick Royle.

On Saturday a clutch of players will play their last game for the Ravers including the giant Freddie Stevenson who has finished his studies at Liverpool University, Flanker Tom Parry who is emigrating to Canada and legendary winger Nick Royle who at the venerable age of 40 something is finally hanging up his boots. Nick’s scoring records in the National Leagues will likely never be beaten. His skill and electric pace have lit up Paton Field and many other rugby grounds, with this transformative solo effort away against Richmond at the Richmond Athletic Ground being one of the very best individual tries ever scored, anywhere by anyone.

Caldy RFC on X: “@Champrugby @AmpthillRufc @JerseyRedsRugby @DoncasterKnight @BedfordBluesRFC Guys. Guys. Guys. Royle | @CaldyRFC #champrugby https://t.co/nN1CTfzX2i” / X

In Caldy’s second ever Championship game the Ravers were 26-8 down and being pummelled before, on 36 minutes, Nick’s solo brilliance turned the game on its head and the Ravers ran out winners 32-34. No rugby person or sports fan will ever tire of seeing that score.

Nick’s outstanding athleticism and skill are matched by his humility and engaging personality. Retirement will give this legend more time to go fly fishing at which he is equally proficient.

Please come down to Paton Field tomorrow to watch a great game of Championship rugby and give Freddie, Tom and Nick the ovation their efforts for Caldy deserve.

Once a Raver always a Raver.

WOLWAOTB !

Matt Cairns has selected the following squad for tomorrow’s final 2024/25 Championship fixture at Paton Field against the Bedford Blues. The match kicks off at 3.00 pm.

1. N Rushton
2. O Hearn
3. J Sproston
4. F Stevenson
5. T Sanders
6. S Olyott
7. T Woodman
8. JJ Dickinson (c)
9. O Wynn
10.  L Barker
11.  W Robinson
12.  C Wilkinson
13.  M Barlow
14.  N Royle
15.  C Hyde
16.  M Gallagher
17.  R Higginson
18.  M Weatherby
19.  J Wilson
20. T Parry
21. W Woolton
22.  D Rabbette
23.  D Carroll

The gates will be open at 11.00am tomorrow and you can buy your tickets for the big game here : https://caldyrugbyclub.com/buy-tickets-membership/

A huge thank you to everyone who has volunteered on match days this season, especially coordinating car parking, our chaperones for match officials, u13s / u14s players for ball boy duties, our photographers, media and match streamers, all our Community age grades coaches, players and parents for mascots, curtain raisers, raffles and fundraising efforts. Plus everyone involved behind the scenes on cleaning, security, ambulance duty, management and bar staff and catering teams. 

Special thanks to our LOSW grounds team, clubhouse repairs and maintenance team, all our generous sponsors, dedicated supporters both home and away, Past Players and members, Senior and Community committee members, officials, President, Director of Rugby and all our Senior rugby coaches, team managers, medical staff, physios, nutritionists, strength and conditioning staff, analysts, logistics, kit men and kit suppliers and last but not least all our Senior players in the ever strengthening 1st xv, 2nd xv and 3rd xv squads. 

You all contribute to create the absolutely unique atmosphere, truly memorable and fantastic experience for every game this season at Paton Field ! 

Thank you for your continued support – everyone is welcome so please get yourself down to Paton Field tomorrow to watch this season’s finale and enjoy community rugby at it’s best !

Caldy clubhouse Bars and Grand Marquee Bar will be open from 11.30pm tomorrow

Past Players’ Day pre-match lunch sit down at 12.00 noon 

Outside bars open from 1.00pm
Catering ‘Hatch’ Pickled Walnut, Dough Bros, Burrito Shack and Ginger Cat coffee open 2.00pm

Plus live music “Connor Farrell” in the Grand Marquee from 5.00pm

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