Caldy's first ever game in the Championship

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   A beautiful day at Paton Field was the backdrop for players and spectators to watch Caldy's first ever game in the Championship and it was a close competitive affair. 
There was so much to like about the day, opponents who came to play rugby, the best weather you could hope for and a decent enough crowd of circa 1,300. 

There were also a dozen spectators from Denmark who had each paid £1,200 to come to Liverpool via Copenhagan and London to watch the Liverpool v Wolves fixture at Anfield. Although crushed about the cancellation which they were only informed about after a 6 hour bus trip from Heathrow, they decided to switch 'stadiums' exchanging Anfield for Paton Field.

Arriving an hour or so before kick off gave them plenty of time to enjoy Caldy's hospitality and learn a little bit about what on earth was going to unfold.....despite knowing nothing about rugby their trip was made memorable when Caldy arranged for a couple of Caldy supporters to buy them some beers and take a few souvenier photos. 

Caldy supporters Neil Mellor and Robbie Fowler certainly lifted the spirits of these Danish LFC supporters and with a signed Caldy shirt and the signed match ball to accompany the selfies with their LFC heroes they have promised to set up a Caldy Supporters club in Denmark...........they are expecting to meet Ian Rush, Jan Molby, Mo Salah, Jurgen Klopp and Andrew Soutar when they come back to Paton Field in October.

As I thanked Robbie Fowler for being so generous to Caldy's new Danish supporters a smiling Robbie didn't miss a beat to ask if Caldy would now refund his £10 admission charge......no chance!

To the Game

7 points down within a minute, after a mistake led to a penalty and a Hartpury score from a driven line out, was not the start that Caldy wanted. 
The visitors were able to keep on the right side of the referee, (former Gloucester prop Nick Wood), better than Caldy and a succession of penalties stifled the home side's momentum allowing the game's stand out player 18 year old Hartpury centre Joe Jenkins to show what a prospect he is.

Caldy worked hard to stem the constant fizzing attacks by Hartpury and on the 20 minute mark some enterprising play by the home side's Dan Bibby and Caldy were in for their first ever score at this level. Caldy were getting into the game, and they took the lead
10-7 after another scintillating midfield break by Nick Royle put winger Ben
Jones in at the corner.

Although a try by scrum half Bruzulier regained the lead
for Hartpury, Caldy’s forwards were gaining momentum. After a period of
pressure Andrew Darlington was driven over to make it 17-14 to
Caldy just before the break. Caldy didn’t hold the lead for long as Hartpury
flanker Joe Howard scored to give the visitors a 17-19 half time lead.

The pivotal moment came some 10 minutes after the restart. What looked like a certain first penalty for Caldy as Hartpury illegally held onto the ball, was inexplicably not given by referee Nick Wood and Hartpury raced away for a fourth try to jump 17-26 ahead.
With a further try by Harry Fry, there was the potential
for Hartpury to pull away strongly in the last 15 minutes, but it was Caldy who
finished much the stronger finally forcing a succesion of penalties (their first of the game) with a catch and drive score of their own by Ethan Caine
giving them a consolation four try bonus score.
Although a home loss it was still a good day at Paton Filed .......especially if you were one of the Danish LFC fans.

Edited by Big Eddie - 11 Sep 2022 at 13:16