| Pre Season Match Report Sale FC 40 – 33 Caldy |
 8 weeks of non-contact preseason training on bone hard pitches came up against the reality of a full on physical encounter with Sale FC at Heywood Road. Although losing the contest 40-33 by and large Caldy’s coaching staff were satisfied with this first hit out. Caldy brought a squad of 38 players to Heywood Road and over the 80 minutes everyone got some game time. The Ravers took the field with a strong line up, (which was still shorn of a dozen or so players from last season’s regular line up) but they conceded the opening score as Sale FC broke through midfield to go under the posts. The home side, who were a couple of warm up games ahead of Caldy looked the sharper but struggled with the strength of Caldy’s pack. It didn’t take long for the Ravers’ eight to gain control registering three scores from driven lineouts with the starting front row of Monty Weatherby, Oli Hearn and Nathan Rushton all getting touch downs.     The visitors’ 7-19 lead was reduced by a Sale score on the stroke of half time to leave the contest finally balanced at 14-19. It was all different for Caldy in the second half as wholesale changes were made……and it showed! A lack of cohesion and missed tackles in midfield let Sale through for three quick scores and with the home team racing into a 35 -19 lead it looked ominous for the visitors. However, this very inexperienced Ravers side, comprised mainly of last season’s senior colts and last season’s 2nd xv players showed commendable resilience. They tightened their defence, upped their physicality and found some cohesion to claw back the deficit to a couple of points before Sale clinched the encounter through a late driven penalty.  Final score Sale 40 Caldy 33 Caldy’s challenge this coming season is to both replace the vast experience and ability of a raft of retired and departed players whilst also further developing the squad to compete in a very demanding Champ season. Despite the narrow loss against one of National One’s promotion favourites, this first outing suggests there is clear potential for the Ravers to meet these challenges. The freshness and competitive endeavor throughout this very young Caldy squad is complemented by emerging indications of the necessary toughness and resilience that they will need during this coming Champ season. In the first half, pack debutant’s Harry Harding, Oliver Barker and Cam de Beer showed physicality and commitment with backs Nye Thomas, Harry Oliver and Seb Krippner taking the game to Sale. One crunching try saving tackle by centre Jacob Mitchell typified the desire and effort on show by the Ravers as they upped their physicality.It was to be expected that the wholesale changes at the break would disrupt the cohesion, and it was always going to be a difficult 40 minutes for a very young and inexperienced group. However, the Ravers’ attitude and resilience was both commendable and encouraging. Amongst a raft of very promising senior debutants, orchestrated by the returning Charlie Attis at standoff, centre Toby Wilson’s midfield break and score under the posts highlighted the potential in the squad.  This coming weekend Caldy’s preseason preparations continue with two further games. On Friday night 4th September the Ravers take on Super BUCS side Durham University at Paton Field with a 7.30 kick off and on Saturday 5th September they take on Birkenhead Park at Upper Park with a 2.15 kick off. Durham University’s Super BUCS side present formidable opposition for the Ravers. The Super BUCS league is the top talent pathway into professional rugby in the UK with around 25 players per season progressing into Premiership or Championship rugby. On Friday the Ravers can expect to face an expansive athletic Durham University side who will stretch them for the full 80 minutes and stress test their pre-season fitness levels. The Ravers challenge on Saturday against a very physical Birkenhead Park side is likely to be a little different but no less compelling and will also be a very significant test for the young Ravers. |
Caldy – A View from JJ’s Bank
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