Keylock opens up Caldy in devastating fashion
By Luke Jarmyn
FINN Keylock produced a peach perfect playmaking performance as Ampthill scored nine tries in an eye-watering end-to-end clash against Caldy to move up to fourth in The Champ’s standing.
Saracens dual-registered fly-half had a hand in several of The Mob’s tries and didn’t miss a kick as this season’s most improved side completed an impressive run of opening games at a packed-out Paton Field.
The beaming 20-year-old told TRP: “It’s not often I get space that opens up for me but we got our heads down and I’m proud with some of our attacking play.
“To show our fight after the Doncaster loss was what we spoke about and it rounds off a really successful first block.”
With the autumn sun gleaming over the Wirral, Ampthill started strong as they have so often this season; within a minute they pinned The Ravers deep before open-side Ed Timpson scurried over the whitewash to open the scoring.
A bullet-like long Ben Parkin kick fell perfectly for Will Robinson to earn Caldy’s first try on the 10th minute but another error proved costly with a long line-out landing into Ampthill’s hands, Keylock’s vision setting up Timpson to bulldoze over Harry Oliver down the left.
A training ground Scrum move saw Will Roue dart through the Cheshire side’s line before Keylock’s off the shoulder outside pass to fellow Sarries loanee Oscar Wilson allowed the centre to jog over.
The Mob’s penalty count allowed Caldy hooker Matt Gallagher to dot down off two driving mauls against his former club before half-time, but the home-side’s slow starts proved their death knell as Ampthill scored twice in the first four minutes of the second-half; lock George Nugent made some hard yards before Keylock set-up Asa Stewart-Harris and a powerful running break by loosehead Harrison Courtney took out three Ravers before blindside Barnaby Merrett limped over the try-line.
Gallagher and his replacement Oli Hearn scored another two Caldy maul tries off line-out drives by the hour-mark, while between them Wilson rocketed over at the other end.
Front-rowers Harrison Dakin and Jev Warren were brutally effective as The Mob went into double digit phases for Efan Jones’ grab-and-go try before fullback Elliot Gourlay slipped between two defenders to dash over against his former club.
Another Caldy short side line-out move allowed Hearn to slip wing Rhys Tudor over the tryline on the right before openside Callum Ridgeway’s efforts allowed Oli Wynn to throw wide for Oliver to dot down.
But Ampthill had the final say with replacement James Fallon bundling over from a textbook catch-and-drive and the match’s 16th try.
Final Score: Caldy Ravers 45-61 Ampthill
We were lucky enough to have several member photographers at the games on Saturday, please take a moment to view their full albums at the links below:
2’s League + Cup Double over Sedgley Park
By Barry Quatermass
A double header at Paton Field yesterday, with both the Ravers’ 1st and 2nd teams playing at home. The 2s were up first against Sedgley Park, a club with plenty of pedigree. With ten changes from last week, it was a stern test for a relatively untried Caldy side.
In the opening exchanges, Sedgley were very much on top, their well-organised pack driving forward and being held only by some determined, last-ditch defence. Gradually, though, Caldy found their feet, producing some wonderful tries from distance. Even more encouraging was the way their young pack grew into the contest, gaining the upper hand and earning hard-fought points through some powerful rolling mauls.
Perhaps not a vintage performance in the usual sense, but given the youth of the team, the number of changes and the quality of the opposition, this was, in my opinion, one of Caldy 2s’ finest performances. A thoroughly deserved win and plenty of promise for the weeks ahead.
When asked what progression means to the lads, Coach Christian Jones took inspiration from one of his favourite shows Ted Lasso: “You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? Got a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish.” While the original message behind the quote was to shake off mistakes, CJ sees it also as a way for lads not get too carried away with the wins, and to focus on the present. “Thats the motto for us. Forget what we have done in the past, dont worry about whats in the future, just deal with the next 10 seconds”
We suggested CJ parked this motto for the length of the interview, and asked him what has impressed him from the start of the 2’s season so far. “We’ve always seen this squad as the perfect pathway for lads eager to progress, and the latest batch of new faces have proven that so far. Max Wilson in his first year is really stepping up at Hooker, Malama Faasavalu has integrated well since coming over from West Park (St. Helens). With 10 ex colts in the squad last week, and 4 lads getting a shot in the 1’s.”
Final Score: Caldy 2’s 34-24 Sedgley Park
More photos below:
Rav3rs Together to the Bitter End
By David Arthur
For a game that would be played in great spirit on both sides, the Rav3rs took the field with just 13 players, 3 of whom came from the ranks of the Senior Colts. By the end, the scoreboard was firmly against us, but that, as so often, doesn’t reflect the full story.
The match saw us start with 13 players, lose 2 of our more experienced players to injury, suffer 10 minutes under a yellow card and, despite New Brighton lending us a player to maintain the numbers on the field, there was a real risk of capitulation.
Caldy rose to the occasion, from 50 – 7 down and with just 12 players on the field, the Rav3rs fought back to 50-26. Edgie had stormed through early on for a remarkable score, only to leave the field with debilitating lower back pain; Mattie Mountney now ran in from distance to score his terrific try; Harry Pickering scored 2 brave tries, breaking the line close to the pack, to force his way over. Harry would have had a hat-trick but for a dubious touch, called by the small boy carrying the flag, against Harri Williams. Harri had another good day, with his usual elusive running, hard tackling and adding 3 conversions.
The Senior Colts acquitted themselves very well and grew into the game impressively. Harry Wilson was relentless in his defensive work and covered every blade of grass. Almost no one was playing in their preferred position, but no one took a backward step. Every player contributed to a defiant display and can be pleased with their contribution.
Seeing our numbers depleted, both injured senior players, Dave Edge and Grant Wratten, insisted on returning to the fray. The spirit was bravely willing, but in the end the flesh too weak for Edgie who struggled to walk from the field, while Grant’s knee proved too damaged for him to continue.
In the end, numbers told and we conceded a couple of late tries to leave the final score 62 – 26 to New Brighton.
This band of brothers learned a lot about themselves and each other in distinct adversity and they were rightly and justifiably proud of much of the performance.
Final Score: New Brighton 2’s 52-26 Caldy Rav3rs
Colts “better for the experience” after 3 Early Injuries
It was a tough physical encounter in East Manchester, with 2 good teams going toe to toe for most of the game. Caldy lost their starting 2, 8 and 10 to head injuries in the first half which made it a challenging afternoon. Special mention to u16s prop James Bell and full back Stan Addeyman who joined the junior colts today and put in a real shift.
Credit to Kaleb Thompson, Jasper Smith and James Bell for going over for the ravers tries. Stockport were on the gas from the first whistle and executed better than Caldy today, thoroughly deserving their win. Very proud of the Caldy boys though for fronting up in adversity and for not giving up until the final whistle.
They will be all the better for the experience 💪🏻
