Caldy – That Friday Feeling 23rd January ’26

Tomorrow’s game away at Richmond’s famous Athletic Ground is the first of a crucial block of 3 games which could define the Ravers’ season. First up is the tricky away fixture at the RAG followed by a home match against 7th placed Nottingham and then a visit to Cambridge.

Welsh wizard Lewis Barker, who along with JJ Dickinson, Max Loboda, Will Robinson and Sam Olyott, makes a welcome return from injury to feature in Caldy’s match day squad and is fully aware of the importance of this block of games.

“We are coming off the back of two good wins against Ampthill and Doncaster Knights, but the two-week break has somewhat stifled our momentum and doesn’t really help us. The home fixture against Richmond was a very close game, and they will feel somewhat unlucky to lose out 27-21. They will be up for Saturday for sure, particularly after their agonizing 26-27 loss to their ground share tenants London Scottish last time out.”

Barker has been encouraged by Caldy’s attacking play this season but admits there is more to do. “We have put together some great passages of attractive attacking rugby but maintaining our form for the full 80 minutes has often eluded us. We need to get it right for the full 80 minutes on Saturday because at this level mistakes really cost us.”

Barker, who is Managing Director of specialist global aluminum supplier Wirral Fospray Limited, has enjoyed a week of friendly banter with his work colleagues. The business owner Stephen Schwarz is a big rugby fan, but he and some of his family will be cheering on Richmond on Saturday providing some extra hwyl for Lewis. “Stephen’s son Alex is a Richmond player, and it is likely he will be featuring against us at scrum half at some point on Saturday.” The 31-year-old former Cornish Pirates number nine who featured strongly in the October fixture at Paton Field brings a wealth of experience and ability to Richmond.

“Being on the right side of the office banter next week is secondary to picking up 4 or 5 points for Caldy but if we can get the win it will certainly put a smile on my face when I go into work on Monday morning.”

Watching this video clip of a previous Caldy visit to the RAG is almost obligatory.
Caldy RFC on X: “@Champrugby @AmpthillRufc @JerseyRedsRugby @DoncasterKnight @BedfordBluesRFC Guys. Guys. Guys. Royle | @CaldyRFC #champrugby https://t.co/nN1CTfzX2i” / X

Caldy’s Head Coach Matt Cairns has picked the following squad for the away fixture at the Richmond Athletic Ground.
The match kicks off at 3.00 pm.
1.  Nathan Rushton
2.  Ollie Hearn
3.  Ryan Higginson
4.  Max Loboda
5.  Rouban Birch
6.  Reuben Logan
7.  Dan Owen
8.  JJ Dickinson (c)
9.  Ollie Wynn
10. Kieran Wilkinson
11. Will Robinson
12. Mike Barlow
13. Connor Wilkinson
14. Rhys Tudor
15. Charlie Hyde
Replacements : Matt Gallagher, Monty Weatherby, Joe Sproston,
Dom Hanson, Sam Olyott, Cal Ridgway, Lewis Barker, Jacob Mitchell

Image by Francesca Rowley
For those unable to travel to Richmond tomorrow this game will be live streamed on TV in the clubhouse at Caldy RFC
Caldy clubhouse Kitchen & Bars will be open from 1.00 pm tomorrow.

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Saturday 24th January – NOWIRUL Div 3 West
Capenhurst 1st xv v Caldy 3rd xv kick off 2.15 pm
at Capenhurst Sports Club, Capenhurst CH1 6HL

Caldy Rav3rs squad for tomorrow’s away game ;
1.  Tomas Williams
2.  Tom Hughes
3.  Harry Evans
4.  Harry Lightfoot
5.  Elliot Cotton
6.  Dave Edge
7.  Tom Shanahan (c)
8.  Jack Wilson
9.  James Pickering
10. Felix Clarke
11. Connor Lloyd-Jones
12. Olly Last
13. James Manuel
14. Leo Grist-Corf
15. Harri Williams
16. Grant Wratten
17. Alan Morris
18. Kit Austin
The Rav3rs narrowly lost the opposite fixture at home v Capenhurst back in September so the squad will be especially motivated for this local derby in South Wirral. It’s only 30 minutes drive from Caldy to Capenhurst so please get yourself down there tomorrow afternoon & support the lads !

Image thanks to Barry MacDonald

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Community Rugby – Sunday 25th January 
This Sunday we have a block booking with Lymm, with the odds at Lymm and the evens at Caldy. The only exception being the u16s who also travel to Lymm, having played them at Caldy already this season.
The Senior Colts, “fresh” from a titanic encounter with Stockport last Sunday, travel to Chester for their toughest assignment of the season to date in North West League A. The Junior Colts, who also had a fantastic win last Sunday against Kirkby Lonsdale making it 3 wins on the bounce, have a home friendly versus Shotton.
u6s training at home
u7s, u9s, u11s, u13s, u15s away at Lymm
u8s, u10s, u12s, u14s at home v Lymm
u16s at home v Crosby St Mary’s and also away at Lymm
u14s, u16s, u18s Girls training at home
u17s Junior Colts at home v Shotton kick off 12.30pm at Paton Field
u18s Senior Colts away v Chester kick off 2.00pm at Hare Lane, Chester CH3 7DB

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Good luck to everyone & enjoy your rugby this 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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Rugby coming up in January

Tuesday 27th January – Colts International floodlit friendly
Caldy / Wirral Colts v Belgrano Athletic Club kick off 6.30pm at Paton Field

Wednesday 28th January – Senior floodlit friendly
Caldy combined senior squad v RAF senior squad kick off 7.30 pm at Paton Field

Saturday 31st January – Champ Rugby round 15
Caldy v Nottingham kick off 2.00pm at Paton Field
This will be the weekend’s Champ Rugby Live Streaming Showcase game
The Champ Rugby trophy will be coming to Caldy together with massive pitch banners & guard of honour flags
There will also be extra tv cameras to capture all the build up, action & match day atmosphere at Paton Field ! 
We need to pack JJ’s bank & the Ravers party stand and make it one to remember.
Match Tickets are available to buy here : https://caldyrugbyclub.com/buy-tickets-membership/
Hospitality details & bookings please contact Kenzie email : [email protected]

Saturday 7th February – Champ Rugby round 16
Cambridge v Caldy kick off 2.00pm at Ellgia Fields, Grantchester Road, Cambridge CB3 9ED

Saturday 14th February – Champ Rugby round 17
Caldy v Cornish Pirates kick off 2.00pm at Paton Field
Match Tickets are available to buy here : https://caldyrugbyclub.com/buy-tickets-membership/
Hospitality details & bookings please contact Kenzie email : [email protected]

Saturday 14th February – NOWIRUL Premier League
Caldy 2nd xv v Preston Grasshoppers 2nd xv kick off 2.00pm at Paton Field

Saturday 21st February – Champ Rugby round 18
Worcester Warriors v Caldy kick off 12.00 noon at Sixways Stadium 
We are looking to put on supporters’ coach for this away trip with an early morning departure 
Before we can confirm anything we want to know numbers ?
If you want to join us for the coach trip please email Lewis Barker – [email protected] 

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Funeral arrangements for Kenny Roberts
Kenny Roberts funeral will be held Wednesday 11th February 3.30pm at Landican, Arrowe Park Road, Woodchurch CH49 5LW.
A celebration of his life will be held afterwards at Caldy Rugby Club.

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Events coming up at Paton Field

We’re delighted to invite you to a very special Sporting Lunch with snooker legend Dennis Taylor, taking place on Friday 13th February 2026 at Paton Field.
Join us for an entertaining afternoon of great food, lively conversation, and unforgettable stories from one of snooker’s most iconic figures. This promises to be a fantastic social event for sports fans and supporters alike.

Event details:
• Date: Friday 13th February 2026
• Time: 12:00pm start
• Venue: Paton Field
• Dress code: Smart casual

Please see the above flyer for full details. Spaces are limited, so booking ASAP is recommended.
To reserve your place or for any enquiries, please contact [email protected].
We very much hope you can join us for what promises to be a memorable afternoon.
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In celebration of John Butler’s 90th birthday we are hosting an Italian themed Dicky’s Dinner at the club to relax and socialise with fellow Ravers, while raising funds to help our Last of the Summer Wine improve and nurture our pitches and clubhouse.
You are invited to our next Dicky’s Dinner on Friday 20th February, arrive 7.00pm for 7.30pm sit down in the clubhouse.
The 3 course dinner will comprise:
Starter – Antipasti & Focaccia
Main – Lasagne with salad & garlic bread
Dessert – Tiramisu
( vegetarian option also available )

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 : DD + your surname

Any queries, or if you want to book a table of 10 (with names) please contact Pauline Dickinson :
email : [email protected]
mobile : 07971 827717

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