Match Preview Caldy v Hartpury 19 September
The preparation is almost over and on Saturday 19th September the Ravers will open their 2026/27 campaign against Hartpury, one of their most perennially tough opponents in the Elior Champ.
Caldy’s Head Coach Matt Cairns explained why the Gloucester side have been consistent performers in the Champ and such difficult opponents for Caldy “We have only beaten Hartpury once in our previous eight meetings and that was the last time out. They are a superbly coached, dynamic and athletic squad with skill and pace in every position. This is a very challenging opening fixture”
Caldy’s first Champ fixture in their inaugural 2022/23 season was also against Hartpury. Most of the Ravers’ supporters would have recognized the other Champ sides, Richmond, Bedford, Cornish Pirates, Nottingham etc. but few knew much about Hartpury. There was a good reason for their lack of knowledge. Hartpury was only formed in 2004 and began at level 11 in the rugby pyramid. Their ascent was phenomenal!
By May 2017 the Gloucester side had risen to and won National 1 with 30 wins from 30 matches, 28 of which had been recorded with bonus points. They entered what was then called the Championship for the 2017/18 season where they have remained ever since. In the last few seasons, they have generally featured in the top five or six and reached the top 6 playoff rounds last year. They are forecast to again be in playoff contention this season.
Wikipedia references 17 different players from Prem side Gloucester turning out for Hartpury in the 2025/26 Champ season which indicates just how close a relationship they have. Hartpury’s alumni is a roll call of the best of the best including Welsh internationals Louis Rees-Zammitt, Daffyd Jenkins, Alex Cuthbert and English internationals Jonny May and Ellis Genge, and Italian international Jake Polledri among them.
The Ravers, who will include a number of debutants in their match day squad, will have an almighty tussle at the start of their 5th consecutive season in the Elior Champ.
The match kicks off at 3pm with the gates open from 12 noon. Matt Cairns has selected the following match day squad for the game against Hartpury
Community Rugby – Sunday 20th September
Many of our Minis and Juniors teams get into game mode this Sunday with the first block booking of the season with our old friends from Anselmians with evens away and odds at home.
The cricket season is over so the pitches around the cricket square for the u8s and u10s are back in action !
This Sunday pitch allocations
u6s, u7s, u8s, u9s training at home on the Ponderosa pitches
u10s, u12s, u14s, u16s away at Anselmians, u11s, u13s at home v Anselmians
u15s training, u12s – u18s Girls training at home from 12.00 noon
u17s Junior Colts / u18s Senior Colts – Dave Corker Memorial Game away at Oxton Parkonians
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.
This match on Sunday at Oxton Parkonians RFC is a memorial game to help Parks raise funds following the recent passing of their head coach Dave Corker.
Dave, whose son plays fly half for their junior colts, was a great guy and the driving force behind Parks success through the mini and junior age grades. Dave and his team were regulars at our Caldy junior festivals and we have had a relationship of mutual respect and support for many years. We are honoured to have been asked to support their memorial match, and I want to encourage Caldy rugby fans to come along to support the event.
Join us tonight at Caldy Rugby Club for a celebration of the life of Richard Henry Williams
