Match Preview: Caldy (A)

For the first time in our history, we will travel to Caldy this weekend to face the Ravers at Paton Field.

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 9

Date: Saturday 10th December

Kick-Off: 2pm

Location: Paton Field, Caldy

Tickets: Available from £10 – click here to purchase

Coverage: Live coverage of the game will be available via our Twitter feed and website

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION:

Originally founded in 1924 for former pupils of Calday Grange School, the club quickly progressed, much through the help of the club’s benefactor Sir Alfred Paton. In 1928, Paton gifted the club Thurstaston Hill, the land where the club still play and the original pavilion that was built almost 100 years ago, is still the core of the current clubhouse today.

In 1967, the club levelled up the slope outside the clubhouse to ensure a first-class 1st XV pitch despite the, at the time, £7,000 price tag! They joined the Giro bank North West league a year later, which was a forerunner to the National Leagues. They had mixed success up until 1996 when the Ravers decided to take a more professional approach to their team. Since then the club have won five league titles and were runners-up twice before being promoted to National 2 West in 2007. A decade later they went on a 28 game unbeaten run as they moved into National 1.

Last season, the title race went down to the wire and in the penultimate game, Caldy hosted local rivals Sale FC, both knowing a win would put them in pole position to go up. In front of a crowd of over 3,000, Caldy ran out 13-9 victors and secured their place in the Championship for the first time in their history.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

After being one of the unknown quantities coming into the league, Caldy have quickly become one of the trickiest sides to beat. Every single side who has travelled to Paton Field this year have struggled to deal with the conditions and vocal home crowd.

Close early losses against Hartpury, Nottingham and Ampthill and an impressive away win at Richmond put the new boys on the right path at the start of the season. As they moved into November, the Ravers looked to be losing their way somewhat, but a win against Ampthill in the cup helped put them back on track. When the league restarted, they became London Scottish’s first victims in the league as they lost 19-10 at the Athletic Ground, but they bounced back instantly, with a narrow win over Cornish Pirates in tricky conditions last weekend.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Greg Macdonald

Assistant Referee 1: Peter Brunt

Assistant Referee 2: Jamie Leahy

FORM GUIDE:

Caldy:

W: Caldy 15-14 Cornish Pirates (Saturday 10th December)

L: London Scottish 19-10 Caldy (Saturday 3rd December)

L: Richmond 40-15 Caldy (Friday 18th November)

Ealing Trailfinders:

W: Ealing Trailfinders 42-17 Bedford Blues (Saturday 10th December)

Click here to watch match highlights.