| 1st xv result – Caldy 21 – 19 Nottingham u18s result – Caldy 17 – 7 Whitchurch u17s result – Chester 36 – 0 Caldy |
 Champ Rugby round 15 – Saturday 31st January 2026 Match report by John Lyon Caldy ….………………… 21 pts Tries: Robinson 48, Hearn 53, Hyde 73 Conversions: K Wilkinson 49, 54, 74 Nottingham ….……..… 19 pts Tries: Richardson 20, Rokomoce 28, Cherry 36 Conversions: Parks 21, 28 Testing conditions at Paton Field played a part in Caldy’s 21-19 win over Nottingham, enabling the Ravers to nudge up to eighth in the Champ table. Without Paton Field’s stiff biting wind to contend with in the second 40 minutes Nottingham would have been pleased with a half-time scoreline of 0-19 in their favour, but it just wasn’t enough. “We scored three well executed first half tries but we just couldn’t get going in the second half” said Nottingham’s Head Coach Craig Hammond “we had a chance to clinch the win right at the end, but poor execution let us down. Paton Field is a hard place to come.” Nottingham scored three ‘rinse and repeat’ first half tries from midfield scrums just inside the Caldy 22 metre area. The first, at the end of a quarter which Caldy had dominated in both possession and territory, saw tight head prop Daniel Richardson burrow over with Gwyn Parks kicking the conversion. The second followed minutes later. Quick transfer from the base of the scrum put left winger Luke Rocomoce in at the corner but the conversion was missed. Just before half time another midfield scrum put powerful number 8 James Cherry in under the posts. It was somewhat surprising that the home side were 19-0 down at the break. Eight first half penalties conceded by the Archers should have gained some reward for the Ravers, but numerous wayward touch kicks and a somewhat lackluster forward effort left the home side pointless at the end of the first 40 minutes. With the benefit of the elements the second half transformation was furious and compelling. The interplay and the quality of rugby that Caldy produced in two ten-minute bursts was in contrast to the deteriorating weather. Waves of Caldy attacks, spearheaded by the effervescent back three trio of Will Robinson, Charlie Hyde and Osian Roberts, led to three converted scores by winger Will Robinson, hooker Ollie Hearn and full back Charlie Hyde. Caldy stand off Kieran Wilkinson who had inexplicably squandered a number of penalty touch kicks, secured redemption with a 74-minute touch line conversion which nudged the Ravers in front 21-19. Nottingham could have won it at the death, but when their close quarter driving maul was stopped metres from the line and then beaten back by the Caldy pack the roar of approval at Paton Field could have been heard in the Welsh mountains. This would have been apt given comments made in the marquee prior to the game. In the lunchtime Q&A, Caldy’s Head Coach Matt Cairns was asked by an apparently sane and sober diner, “What impact will 7 Welshmen turning out for the Ravers today have on the match day squad”. To uproarious laughter from 99% of the lunchtime guests Cairns instantly replied “It will significantly lower the average IQ” Clubber TV’s expert summariser Matt Rabbette gave the Man of the Match to prop Monty Weatherby which was a fully deserved shout out from a fellow Caldy prop. However, the Rugby Paper selected full back Charlie Hyde as their star man. The number 15 continued his great run of form with an impressive all-round display in attack, defence and especially under the high ball. The weather had certainly played its part in Caldy’s second half performance, but it was the 1,300 steadfast Caldy fans who turned out on an awful day that made the crucial difference. The wall of sound from JJ’s Bank was reinforced by a full Party Stand orchestrated by Elaine Wylie and the Archers visibly wilted as the crescendo of noise compelled the Ravers forward. Caldy’s Director of Rugby Gareth Davies was delighted with the win and particularly the effort in the second half, “Last week’s effort at Richmond was subpar and we needed to bounce back. Hard work during the week corrected some obvious deficiencies and today Matt Cairns and the coaching staff gave the squad a gentle half-time reminder of what they needed to do. It was a great second half in front of Caldy’s superb home fans who are the best in the Champ.” Caldy have two big games coming up. Firstly, next week away at Cambridge and then at home on 14th February against Cornish Pirates. Hopefully weather conditions will be better against Pirates when a big noisy home crowd will be so important for the Ravers against a top side.  Monty Weatherby smashes into Nottingham  Charlie Hyde scores in the corner as Will Robinson & Osian Roberts look on  Kieran Wilkinson kicks the match winning conversion from the touchline All images thanks to Barry Quatermass Caldy : Hyde, Robinson, Wilkinson, Barlow, Roberts, Wilkinson, Wynn (Akehurst 57), Weatherby (Rushton 53), Hearn (Gallagher 53), Sproston (Rushton 53) Gerrard, (Loboda 40), Olyott, Ridgway, Owen (Jones 67), Dickinson (c), Tudor, Barker Nottingham : Simpson, Williams (c), Davies (West 63), Roper, Rokomonce, Parks, Yarnell (Goodwin 66), Stott (Sio 56), Dickinson (Allen 53), Richardson (Sharnick 77), Ramply (Ecclesfield 53), Thomas, S Green (Rees 56), M Green (Wright 63), Cherry Referee : Andrew Jackson Attendance : 1,347   Stats & images thanks to Champ Rugby Oval Insights – Halbro NW Senior Colts League A – Sunday 1st February 2026 Caldy u18s …………….. 17 pts Whitchurch u18s ……… 7 pts Match report thanks to Paul Clark The Senior Colts returned to Paton Field last Sunday, depleted in personnel but not in heart, to take on Whitchurch in their latest NW League A match. After their last minute away defeat to Chester the week before, the focus was a big defensive effort and then play to our process and structure. The lads set the tone right from the whistle, as a crunching tackle on the Whitchurch’s second row caught the kick off, resulted in a penalty to Caldy and a kick to the corner. From the line-out the forwards mauled and Tom Hazleton stampeded over the line after a number of rucks. Jamie Lewis converted and 7-0 after 2 minutes. The Colts continued to exert pressure throughout the half, eschewing easy shots at goal, but not managing to break through Whitchurch’s defence. As we approached the half hour mark, the backs started a flowing move, but Whitchurch were up fast and intercepted, scoring under the posts. 7-7 all at half time. It was similar fare for the second half – the Colts held off a number of Whitchurch attacks with strong defence forcing handling errors. Pressure began to tell with Jamie Lewis first converting a penalty, and then strong running from Isaac Waldron delivering the second try. 17-7. The Colts ended the game through a succession of very strong scrums, sapping the remaining strength of Whitchurch. A well deserved, hard fought, victory 17-7, with some points left on the table. The defence was impressive and sets us up for the return match with Chester in two weeks time, which will go a long way to deciding the potential destination of this year’s League.    Images thanks to Barry MacDonald – Halbro NW Junior Colts League A – Sunday 1st February 2026 Chester u17s ……… 36 pts Caldy u17s …………… 0 pts Comments thanks to Tony Formela Caldy had a very good first half, having been camped on Chester’s try line for 20 mins, but were unlucky to find themselves 12-0 down at half time. However Caldy could not get back into the game in the second half and were out played by a Chester squad whose greater strength in depth proved to be the difference. – Rugby coming up Saturday 7th February – Champ Rugby round 16 Cambridge v Caldy kick off 2.00pm at Ellgia Fields, Grantchester Road, Cambridge CB3 9ED For those unable to travel to Cambridge this game will be live streamed in the clubhouse 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 Not to be missed ! Top of the table clash between the two stand out 2nd xv teams this season 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 a Caldy supporters’ coach for this away trip with an early morning 8.00am departure from Caldy RFC Travel to Sixways Stadium – watch 1st xv game – watch Six Nations on TV – return travel to Caldy RFC Coach travel cost approximately £28 per person Match tickets not included – plenty of seats available so we may get a block booking tbc Before we can confirm our supporters coach booking we need to know final numbers wanting to travel with us Please let us know your names by midnight this Saturday 7th February If you want to join us for the coach trip please email Lewis Barker – [email protected]  – Plus the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations kicks off 8.10 pm this Thursday 5th February All games will be live on TV in the clubhouse – see schedule below  |
A View from JJ’s Bank
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