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Round 9
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BigChief View Drop Down
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Points: 699 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BigChief Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 2024 at 11:21
Nottingham P - P London Scottish
Cambridge 1 - 5 Cornish Pirates
Doncaster 5 - 1 Ampthill
Ealing 5 - 0 Caldy
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All the Way View Drop Down
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Nottingham P - P London Scottish
Cambridge 0 - 5 Cornish Pirates
Doncaster 5 - 1 Ampthill
Ealing 5 - 0 Caldy
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A. Gorilla View Drop Down
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Points: 19 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A. Gorilla Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 2024 at 13:52
Nottingham P - P London Scottish
Hartpury RFC BW - L Jersey Reds 
Cambridge 0 - 5 Cornish Pirates
Doncaster 5 - 0 Ampthill
Ealing 5 - 0 Caldy
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greenpower View Drop Down
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Points: 3309 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote greenpower Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 2024 at 15:47
nottingham p  p scottish
cambridge   1 5 pirates
doncaster      5 1 ampthill
ealing            5 0 caldy
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gerg_861 View Drop Down
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Points: 2539 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gerg_861 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 2024 at 17:29

Ealing Trailfinders lineup to face Caldy RFC:

1 Kyle Whyte

2 Mike Willemse

3 Biyi Alo

4 Bobby De Wee

5 Barney Maddison  

6 Jordy Reid

7 Richard Hardwick

8 Rayn Smid

9 Lloyd Williams

10 Craig Willis

11 Tom Collins

12 Billy Twelvetrees

13 Reuben Bird-Tulloch

14 Jonah Holmes

15 Cian Kelleher

16 Henry Walker

17 Sami Mavinga

18 George Davis

19 Will Montgomery

20 Josh Taylor

21 Jordan Burns

22 James Cordy-Redden

23 Simon Uzokwe
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Points: 19 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A. Gorilla Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 2024 at 18:04
That's a very strong looking Trailfinders squad. I fear for Caldy, this could be a cricket score, especially as the Ravers seem to have 5 or 6 second team players in their squad. Not sure why that is, injuries maybe, or resting some players for what is likely to be a long trip to London with no return anyway.
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Predictions:
Cambridge 1 - 5 Cornish Pirates 
Doncaster 4 - 1 Ampthill
Ealing 5 - 0 Caldy 
Donny Knights - best team in Yorkshire
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gerg_861 View Drop Down
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Points: 2539 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gerg_861 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 12:32
Originally posted by A. Gorilla A. Gorilla wrote:

That's a very strong looking Trailfinders squad. I fear for Caldy, this could be a cricket score, especially as the Ravers seem to have 5 or 6 second team players in their squad. Not sure why that is, injuries maybe, or resting some players for what is likely to be a long trip to London with no return anyway.
The individual players are strong, but will they play as a team that is more than the sum of their parts?
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seagoon View Drop Down
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Very pleased with a 4 try bonus point Clap

Not one of the predictors gave us a Scooby !
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oneagainstthehead View Drop Down
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Points: 725 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oneagainstthehead Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2024 at 19:23
Originally posted by seagoon seagoon wrote:

Very pleased with a 4 try bonus point Clap

Not one of the predictors gave us a Scooby !
A very well deserved bonus point, too - never gave up.  Ealing played 20 minutes of scintillating rugby at the beginning of each half, followed each time by 20 minutes of dross - very frustrating.

Edited by oneagainstthehead - 13 Jan 2024 at 19:24
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Big Eddie View Drop Down
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Points: 5026 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Eddie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 09:20
Caldy only have one dual registered player in their squad and when injuries need to be covered they generally reach into the 2nd xv and the form of some 2nd xv players has been such that promotion into the 1st xv match day squad has been warranted on merit alone.

Caldy's 2nd xv has not been beaten since April 2019, 86 consecutive wins. However with 6 players stepping up for 1st xv duty at Vallis Way, yesterday they travelled to Macclesfield's Priory Park for a Cotton Traders Premier league fixture with a very inexperienced squad bolstered with a couple of players returning from long term injury.

A hugely motivated and energetic Macclesfield side nearly toppled Caldy who just ran out winners 22-20.

It was an exciting ding dong battle with the result in doubt until the final whistle. 2nd xv coaches Andrew Soutar and Christian Jones will be delighted for the players that stepped up so well to play at Ealing but will also be mightily relieved that they managed to squeak the win at Macc.
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Big Eddie View Drop Down
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Points: 5026 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Eddie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 10:23
Having just reviewed the Caldy team sheets I will change my statement that there were 6 2ndxv players in yesterday's Caldy match day squad at Vallis Way. By my review there were actually 9 players who have regularly been in the 2ndxv squad this season !

Edited by Big Eddie - 14 Jan 2024 at 15:20
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Nat1 View Drop Down
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Points: 51 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nat1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 13:39
Big Eddie, are Caldy 2 XV able to move up a league or are they at the pinnacle for a 2nd XV in the NW leagues?

The reason I ask is because in the South, you have the likes of Chinnor Wildboys (3 XV) and Rams Centaurs (3 XV) competing at Level 7 against most local clubs 1st XV teams. Although they have taken a few months to get to grips with the step up, they are now holding their own a bit more.

Until this season, 3 XVs in Berks, Bucks and Oxon weren't permitted to go up to this level (and are still not allowed higher - which would be Level 6 Regional 2), but it does mean that these players are getting good tough matches every week, instead of walking the leagues below putting 40 - 70 points on teams most weeks like in the CT Prem. Not sure what that achieves for anyone to be honest. Chinnor Wildboys did have what I think was a record 5 year, 70+ match unbeaten run until moving up.

Above that, both Chinnor 2 XV and Rams 2 XV compete in the Raging Bull Shield against Championship, Nat 1 and a sprinkling of Nat 2 2nd XVs. Its a tough league but you rarely get 40 point drubbings either. I wondered if there was an equivalent within a few hours drive of Caldy's vicinity? I'm not that familiar with the northern leagues if I'm honest.


Edited by Nat1 - 14 Jan 2024 at 13:42
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islander View Drop Down
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Points: 7353 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote islander Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 15:00
We are looking forward to Caldy 2nd XV visiting Jersey in 8 weeks' time, hopefully they will remain unbeaten prior to that day. They were the only team to beat the amateur Jersey RFC team last season, so the forthcoming match will offer the chance of revenge (for the hosts) or a double (for the visitors)...
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Big Eddie View Drop Down
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Points: 5026 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Eddie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 15:17
Nat 1,

the Cotton Traders Premier league (the pinnacle of some 12 divisions within the North West Intermediate leagues of some some 150 or so teams) contains the 2nd xvs of a number of big clubs, like Fylde, Hoppers, Sedgley Park, Macclesfield among them.

Caldy's 2nd xv have dominated this Premier league for the last few seasons and there has been a push to go into the regular RFU leagues but Caldy were informed that level 7 would be the limit and I understand when this was suggested as a pathway for Caldy's 2nd xv the other North West clubs vetoed it.

I think Caldy's 2nd xv would be competitive at level 6 however there is always  a steady flow from Caldy's 2nd xv to other local clubs. There is no match fee for 2nd xv players and of course some of the other local clubs at level 6 are keen to acquire ready made talent. Ensuring the talent keeps coming through is always a challenge but local players and Caldy's own home grown Mini/Junior and Colts players come to or remain at Paton Field for a number of reasons

I believe there are four important factors that attract and keep good players within the Caldy 2nd xv set up:

1. The Caldy environment. Caldy is a meritocracy. If you apply yourself and you are good enough you will get selected for the 1st xv match day squad. Caldy is not a closed shop.

2. The coaching and training. Caldy has an excellent set of coaches. Matt Cairns, Richard Vasey, Andrew Soutar and Christian Jones. The Senior squad of some 50 players train together and the colts players are assimilated as soon as they are ready. No one is just a tackle bag holder. The training sessions are collective, analytical, intense and professional. 2nd xv players are pushed to be ready to be able to step up to the 1st xv squad.

Andrew Soutar and Christian Jones lead the 2nd xv match event. They are inspirational, innovative and intelligent coaches. Last weekend they included the under 14's squad for the full match day event in the 2nd xv fixture against Fylde. Warm up, final pre match briefing, half time and full time circles and post match the Under 14s provided feed back on the whole event including the on field performance. Being led and coached by 'Sooty' and 'CJ' is undoubtedly special.

3. The chance to play rugby at the highest level. This season Caldy has already used nearly 40 players in the 1st xv match day squad. The youngest being 19 years of age.  Playing at Paton Field (for what essentially is still a local village rugby club) in front of 1,500 - 2,000 supporters against teams like Bedford, Doncaster and Ealing is special. If they move to another local club to play 1st xv rugby they will get a match fee but are unlikely to move on to play Championship level rugby.

4.Being part of something meaningful for the local community. Some 2nd xv players who have graduated from the colts or have come from other local clubs will go on to become 1st xv regulars and some may obtain higher honours in the game. Caldy RFC is recognised as a local club that promotes a collective local ethos. This identity  has helped to develop a fan base across the Wirral. Caldy RFC are about enjoyment and are known as the Ravers for a reason......their motto Win or Lose We are on The Booze is perhaps not quite as pertinent as it once was but enjoyment is still a fundamental part of why Caldy players play the game at 2nd xv and 1st xv level



Edited by Big Eddie - 14 Jan 2024 at 15:43
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Big Eddie View Drop Down
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Points: 5026 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Eddie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 15:18
Originally posted by islander islander wrote:

We are looking forward to Caldy 2nd XV visiting Jersey in 8 weeks' time, hopefully they will remain unbeaten prior to that day. They were the only team to beat the amateur Jersey RFC team last season, so the forthcoming match will offer the chance of revenge (for the hosts) or a double (for the visitors)...

My wife and I will be there Islander....staying Thursday through to Monday. How are Jersey faring at level 6 this season?
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Points: 51 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nat1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 15:32
Originally posted by Big Eddie Big Eddie wrote:

Nat 1,

the Cotton Traders Premier league contains the 2nd xvs of a number of big clubs, Fylde, Hoppers, Sedgley Park, Macclesfield among them.

Caldy's 2nd xv have dominated this league for the last few seasons and there has been a push to go into the regular RFU leagues but Caldy were informed that level 7 would be the limit and I understand when this was suggested as a pathway for Caldy's 2nd xv the other North West clubs vetoed it.

I think Caldy's 2nd xv would be competitive at level 6 however there is always  a steady flow from Caldy's 2nd xv to other local clubs. There is no match fee for 2nd xv players and of course some of the other local clubs at level 6 are keen to acquire ready made talent.

There are four important factors that keep good players within the Caldy 2nd xv:

1. The Caldy environment. Caldy is a meritocracy. If you apply yourself and you are good enough you will get selected for the 1st xv match day squad. Caldy is not a closed shop.
2. The coaching. Caldy has an excellent set of coaches. Matt Cairns, Richard Vasey, Andrew Soutar and Christian Jones. The Senior squad of some 50 players train together and the colts players are assimilated as soon as they are ready. No one is just a tackle bag holder. Andrew Soutar and Christian Jones lead the 2nd xv match event. They are innovative coaches. Last weekend they included the under 14's squad for the full match day event in the 2nd xv fixture against Fylde. Warm up, final pre match briefing, half time and full time circles and post match the Under 14s provided feed back on teh whole event including the on field performance.
3. The chance to play rugby at the highest rugby. This season Caldy has already used nearly 40 players in the 1st xv match day squad. The youngest being 19 years of age.  Playing at Paton Field (for what essentially is still a local village rugby club) in front of 1,500 - 2,000 supporters against teams like Bedford, Doncaster and Ealing is special. If they move to another local club to play 1st xv rugby they will get a match fee but are unlikely to move on to play Championship level rugby.
4. They know and feel they are part of something special. Some 2nd xv players who have graduated from the colts or have come from other local clubs will go on to become 1st xv regulars and some may obtain higher honours in the game. Caldy RFC are known as the Ravers for a reason......their motto Win or Lose We are on The Booze is perhaps not quite as pertinent as it once was but enjoyment is still a fundamental part of why they play the game at 2nd xv and 1st xv level

Thank you for that detailed reply. Interesting that the other NW clubs vetoed Caldy 2nd XV joining their leagues, perhaps afraid of what awaited them if they did! I'm not in favour of limiting what league any 2 or 3 XVs can be admitted to, if they're talented enough, what does it matter. That's a view shared by quite a few down south too.

If Caldy 2 XV are running in 10+ tries most matches against the bigger NW clubs you mention, it would be good to see how they would fare in a step up of league standard. But equally, it looks like you have a good player pathway jumping from a notional Level 6 straight up to Level 2 - that's a considerable leap so fair play to them.

Good luck for the rest of the season.
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Big Eddie View Drop Down
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Points: 5026 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Eddie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 15:48
Nat 1, thanks for your good wishes. I have edited my initial response to you to add a little more detail to ensure the context is clear.
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islander View Drop Down
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Points: 7353 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote islander Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 16:08
Originally posted by Big Eddie Big Eddie wrote:

Originally posted by islander islander wrote:

We are looking forward to Caldy 2nd XV visiting Jersey in 8 weeks' time, hopefully they will remain unbeaten prior to that day. They were the only team to beat the amateur Jersey RFC team last season, so the forthcoming match will offer the chance of revenge (for the hosts) or a double (for the visitors)...

My wife and I will be there Islander....staying Thursday through to Monday. How are Jersey faring at level 6 this season?

Great that you are making the trip with your (much younger) wife BE. I regret to say I'll be at Twickenham (have been persuaded by friends for social reasons in spite of not being a huge fan of the RFU) on the Saturday, but would hope there might be a chance to have a beer on Thursday night.

JRFC going well at level 6 so far, 15 wins = 75pts. There's even a chance the league may have been won prior to your visit...
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Points: 5026 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Eddie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2024 at 17:29
Has any team beaten Jersey this season?
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