A View from JJ’s Bank

1st xv result – Richmond 31 – 12 Caldy
3rd xv result – Capenhurst 24 – 37 Caldy
u18s result – Chester 28 – 24 Caldy
u17s result – Caldy 20 – 20 Shotton

Champ Rugby round 14 – Saturday 24th January 2026
The Rugby Paper report by Tim Forrester

Richmond …….……… 31 pts 
Tries: Case 7, Goffey 13, Grieve 32, Addams 67, Hocking 79 
Conversions: Grieve 8, 13, 33

Caldy ….………………… 12 pts 
Tries: Hearn 25, Robinson 71 
Conversion: K Wilkinson 26

Richmond ran in five tries to take five points against Caldy, who were never allowed to settle into their normal efficient game. The strong wind was a major factor in Richmond’s half-time lead of 21-7 but Caldy could not respond in kind despite playing much of the second half in the home 22.

Richmond head coach Rob Powell was delighted by his team’s performance: “We have had a lot of adversity in the last few weeks and it’s easy to drop your performance. But today proved that we are very much in the fight. We lost a player yesterday and we still have some men injured, but we deserved the win today against a Caldy side renowned for their fight. Today we matched that intensity and endeavour. Hopefully it provides extra confidence moving forward.”

The wind was immediately demonstrated by the kick off ball going dead. Richmond adjusted and the first of two charge downs by Jake Monson set the tone. From a lineout, Richmond moved the ball wide to Chidera Obonna, who made a good run before finding Paddy Case in support to finish the move. Callum Grieve added an excellent conversion.

Six minutes later, Richmond had a second try, which followed a kick to the corner. Hooker Will Goffey barrelled over. However, Richmond next suffered a big blow, losing Sam Pym to a twenty minute red card for a high tackle. Caldy took early advantage, Ollie Hearn running in a try after quick hands on the right. Crucially, Richmond scored next to extend their lead back to fourteen points with a Grieve try after neat interplay in the centre.

With the wind behind them, Caldy started the second half with intent and pinned Richmond back into their 22, helped by a succession of penalties. Several times, the formidable Caldy pack set up to drive over, but Richmond held them out. The visitors rang the changes, but the home defence knocked them back and forced errors. Against the run of play, Richmond then got their fourth try with Case, Schwarz and Josh Addams combining well to break away down the left.

Caldy never gave up and fully merited their second try, scored by Will Robinson after the forwards finally got the drive going. However, it was too little, too late and Richmond had the last word with a try by hooker Harry Hocking after a similar forward drive.

Richmond : Grieve, Obonna (Du Randt 69), Case, Langston (Slevin 60), Addams, Burrage, Schwarz (c) (Charles 72); Bevaqua (Brownhill 63), Goffey (Hocking 49), Spring (Freeman 76), Mon-son, Wakeling, Benson (Wills 66), Hastings, Pym (Ormerod 40) 
Caldy : Hyde, Tudor, C Wilkinson (Olyott 60), Barlow (Barker 52), Robinson, K Wilkinson, Wynn (Ridgway 50); Rushton (Sproston 48), Hearn (Gallagher 48), Higginson (Weatherby 48), Loboda, Birch (Hanson 30), Logan (Mitchell 61), Owen, Dickinson (c)

Referee : Alex Thomas     Attendance : 1,051

All images thanks to Owen Lewis & Tim Anger

–

NOWIRUL Div 3 West – Saturday 24th January 2026
Capenhurst 1st xv …….24 pts
Caldy 3rd xv ……………. 37 pts
Match report thanks to Dave Arthur
Tries scored by Tries: Jack Wilson x 3, Leo Grist Corf x 2, Felix Clarke
Conversions by Felix Clarke x 4

( Keen eyed and mathematical amongst you will note the Rav3rs scored 38. Meanwhile the league website says “24:33”. At the end of the day, we got a 5 point win and Capenhurst didn’t add to their points total for the season and that’s the important thing – apparently. )
 
With Shanners still re-organising the team mid-morning after overnight “changes”, the Rav3rs squad assembled at Capenhurst. A heavy-looking pitch and a strong wind didn’t seem to offer much hope of attractive, running rugby; suffice to say that Caldy had other ideas. A mix of long-standing 3rd teamers, Colts and lads welcomed back to the 3rd team fold took the field, with most knowing the names of most of their teammates and confidence was high. However, a few minutes in, Capenhurst kicked early points to take a 3-0 lead. Jack Wilson hit back quickly with his first of the afternoon: 3-5.
A failure to exit at the resulting re-start, due in large part to the tricky wind, provided Capenhurst with the chance to score from short range to wrest back control of the scoreboard at 10-5.

The game was a very good contest, with the settled Capenhurst 1st team competing hard and Caldy matching their energy and physical commitment, playing into the wind. Caldy’s handling skills seemed to offer a potential edge and Leo Grist Corf put the Rav3rs ahead, finishing an accurate phase of high speed passing and running, after the pack had secured possession some way back in our half. A single phase, executed at impressive pace despite the breeze, was too much for Capenhurst’s defensive line, although Leo still had work to do when he got the ball. Caldy up, 10-12.
It was invigorating to watch the ball being passed into the space in front of the runners and to see them take the ball at pace without breaking stride. Given the gale blowing into their faces, it was no small feat !

A wind-assisted clearance took Cap back to our end and a period of Capenhurst pressure 1m from the line was bravely resisted by a resolute pack, before a penalty clearance took Caldy back up to half way.
From the line-out a punch up the middle, re-cycled ball and the energetic “Ronnie” Pickering fed Tom Hughes, having probably his best game in a Caldy shirt, who took contact before popping the ball back to Ronnie; his rapid arcing run took him outside the defence. Drawing the last defender towards touch, his pass back inside found Felix Clarke who sauntered in dotting down under the posts to score a try, which he then converted. Caldy leading 10-19.
As half time approached Rav3rs were awarded a scrum 10m out in a fairly central position. Jack Wilson at 8 picked up and crashed his way through, stepping inside the open side, breaking the tackle and carrying their 8 with him on his back, as he went over the line under the posts. Felix added the 2 points. 10-26.

Capenhurst were not done and ran hard, ball in hand, but the Rav3rs’ defence remained strong. The forwards hit ferociously and kept their defensive shape and when Capenhurst managed to get the ball away, James Manuel and Ollie Last, along with others, made some big hits to stop them in their tracks. Mani had one brief spell where he made 3 tackles in the space of a few seconds, just hitting, getting up and doing it again: inspirational stuff.

Kit Austin, junior colt, had another good game on his second outing and is becoming a talisman: 2 games in, he’s yet to lose with the Rav3rs. There were strong performances across the team and it was good to welcome back the likes of Harry Wilson, who matched his brother in work rate if not in tries.
Indeed, Jack was in for his hat-trick shortly after the re-start, smashing through from 15m out, with Felix adding the extras. Caldy leading 10-33.
Opportunities came and went until Leo was able to cap another impressive handling move, which saw him burst into space to finish wide on the right. 10-38.

With 15 minutes to go, Capenhurst brought on a player they had clearly missed and, as Caldy rather took their foot off, with the game seemingly won and points in the bag, he ran in a brace in short order to give the scoreboard a more even look: 24:38.
But it was too little, too late and The Mighty Rav3rs posted a good win.

Leo was selected as MoM by Capenhurst and Harry Lightfoot was selected as Dick of the Day, for having pulled out on the morning of the game with a sore neck. He didn’t waste time in getting his pint down that neck in the ensuing race, finishing impressively, several seconds before his fellow drinkers to make some amends.
Unfortunately, the Rav3rs next game is not until 7th March when we host Port Sunlight, currently third in the table.

–

Rugby coming up

TONIGHT – Tuesday 27th January – Colts International floodlit friendly
Caldy Colts v Belgrano Athletic Club kick off 7.00pm at Paton Field



TOMORROW NIGHT – Wednesday 28th January – Senior floodlit friendly
Caldy RFC v RAF Men’s Senior XV  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 Saturday is our 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]

Caldy u16’s will be offering the opportunity to take part in a fabulous Prize Raffle. 
A selection of great prizes are up for grabs ( not a bath bomb in sight ! )
£5 a strip, card payments taken. 
There will also be tickets on sale to win the ever popular “Barrow of Booze” !
The usual favourites will be there – Name the Caldy Bear, Cake Stall, Sweet Shop, Guess the Bonus Ball.
A huge thank you to the local businesses who have kindly donated prizes for the raffle.

 
 

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]