25 September Match Preview Blackheath v Caldy
The Ravers’ second Champ game of the 26/27 season is tonight under lights at Blackheath’s Utilita stadium with a 7.45 kick off. Last season ‘Club’ gained promotion from National One into the Elior Champ via the ascension playoff system.
Caldy’s Head Coach Matt Cairns is in no doubt that this will be a very challenging fixture. “Last season Blackheath had an outstanding end to their National One campaign, winning a succession of 12 consecutive games which included the ascension play-off game against Plymouth Albion and then a thumping away win against Champ side London Scottish to secure their promotion. In their first Elior Champ fixture last Friday they came away from Nottingham with a losing bonus point, which is a very clear demonstration of just how ready they are for level 2 rugby.
Aside from the considerable challenge that Blackheath pose the Ravers have to also navigate the difficulties of a Friday night fixture in the capital which automatically rules out a number of their 1st xv squad due to work commitments. The 2.08 from Lime Street to Euston and the subsequent rush hour journey across London to Blackheath’s Utilita ground near Eltham is hardly the ideal preparation for a difficult Elior Champ fixture against an in-form and hugely motivated Blackheath team.
“Last week’s opening loss against Hartpury was disappointing but in the context of their regular top six status, us scoring 40 points and picking up a losing bonus point took the edge off it somewhat. We have had to make a number of enforced changes for this week, but we will look to build on last week’s performance.”
Caldy have previously played Blackheath 6 times at National One level with the ‘series’ level at 3 wins each and with the number of match points scored by the sides almost identical.
The last encounter in September 2021 saw the Ravers sneak the win 16-18 courtesy of a last-minute try by Martin Gerrard who unfortunately is one of the players unable to travel today. However, the Caldy squad does include debuts from the bench for forward Ollie Barker and centre Toby Wilson.
Matt Cairns has selected the following squad.
Can’t make it down to Blackheath tonight? Struggle to get up to the club? Bring the excitement of Elior Champ Rugby to your Living room with the ClubberTV annual pass. Clubber have extended the discount of 20% off for a limited time so make sure you don’t miss out!
Senior Rugby this Saturday
Caldy 2nd xv have a local derby away against Wirral 2nd xv to kick off their Premier League campaign.
Saturday 26th September 2026 – NOWIRUL Premier League
Wirral 2nd xv v Caldy 2nd xv kick off 3.00 pm
at The Memorial Ground, Thornton Common Road, Clatterbridge
Please get yourself across Wirral to support the Ravers !Caldy 3rd xv are also kicking off their Div 3 West League campaign away in Liverpool.
Saturday 26th September – NOWIRUL Div 3 West
Mossley Hill v Caldy 3rd xv kick off 3.00 pm at Mossley Hill Athletic Club, Mossley Hill Road, Liverpool L18 4PT
It’s only a short drive away so please make the trip to support the Rav3rs !
Community Rugby
This Sunday Caldy Minis have a block booking with our old friends from New Brighton, with the evens at home and the odds away. Caldy Juniors have an eclectic mix of matches with Macclesfield u14s and Wrexham u16s making their way to Caldy and the u15s travelling to sunny Southport.
Caldy Colts belatedly kick off their NW League seasons with one-off prelim games. Caldy u17s Junior Colts travel to Trafford and Caldy u18s Senior Colts make their home debuts on the 1st team pitch with a match against Heaton Moor kick off at 2.00 pm – everyone welcome on JJ’s Bank to support them !
Sunday 27th September
u6s, u9s, u13s, u14s girls, u16s girls, u18s girls at home training
u7s, u11s away v New Brighton
u8s, u10s, u12s at home v New Brighton
u12s girls away v Trafford MV
u14s at home v Macclesfield
u15s away v Southport ; u16s at home v Wrexham
u17s Junior Colts away v Trafford ko 12.30 pm
u18s Senior Colts at home v Heaton Moor ko 2.00 pm at Paton Field
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.
Guinness Men’s Six Nations 2027 tickets ballot
The 6 Nations 2027 is coming into view and we have reserved a number of tickets for England’s home games at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Sunday 14th February – England v France ko 15.10
Saturday 20th February – England v Italy ko 16.40
Saturday 13th March – England v Scotland ko 16.40
We have reserved tickets for both the France and Scotland games. All tickets for the France and Scotland games are priced at £135, with a £30 additional admin fee.
Tickets for the Italy game may also be available but will be purchased on a demand basis and are at a similar price bracket.
Members are invited to enter a ballot for tickets using the link below and submitting requests via the google form. Members can initially apply for up to 4 tickets for each game.
The ballot will be run week commencing 12th October from all requests submitted via forms at that point. Good luck !
