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Richmond v Caldy .....remembered |
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Big Eddie
World Cup Winner Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Status: Offline Points: 5045 |
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Posted: 16 Sep 2022 at 09:47 |
Caldy has played Richmond FC just the once before in a xv a side
fixture. 10 years ago on 5th May 2012.
The
National 2 play-off was memorable for all who were there. A game which the
Guardian newspaper called 'the most stomach churning, nail biting of
contests' was eventually won by Richmond 20-13 but only after the most
colossal struggle.
Richmond
were on their ascent from the basement of English rugby. After the insolvency in
1999 and demotion from the pinnacle of the Premiership down to level 9 Hearts
and Middlesex 1, this great club Richmond FC was on the cusp of being reunited
in National One with the great historic clubs of England, Coventry, Blackheath
and Rosslyn Park. All they had to do was beat an unheralded club from
Merseyside, Caldy RFC. Simples!
The
gulf between the clubs was striking. Richmond had been pipped for automatic
promotion by National 2 South winners Old Albanians (in reality Saracens) and
Caldy had somehow scrambled to second place in National 2 North, trailing
winners Loughborough Students by a massive 22 points. There was no doubting
which team was the underdog………’under puppy’ was probably a more accurate
description.
Richmond’s
website promoted the play off with justified gusto and exhorted their
supporters to get behind the team. This was surely their time and their moment.
The banner headline ‘the Northern hordes are coming’ was the call to
arms. The Caldy supporters, who were expected to number around the dozen mark,
were tickled by the moniker. None of this very small band of supporters who
followed their club around the North had ever been part of a ‘horde’.
The
build-up was eventful. Full back Andrew Soutar (’Sooty’) was Caldy’s best
player and his influence would be crucial. However, being the leader of the ‘Ultra’
LFC supporters had certain responsibilities and attending the FA Cup final at
Wembley (also on 5th May) where Liverpool were to play Chelsea was
very definitely one of them.
The
solution, a motorbike courier to take Sooty from the RAG to Wembley for the 5 p.m.
kick off. It was just possible, with a 2 p.m. start at the RAG and a fast motorbike
Sooty might make it. No one factored in the unlikely possibility of extra
time!.
Traffic
chaos on the M6 didn’t help the Northern Horde get to the RAG either but the 8 alickadoos
accompanying the team arrived just in time for a splendid lunch at Richmond. It
was a great occasion and the wonderful oratory of the Richmond President had
everyone, including the Caldy contingent, thumping the tables in fervent
applause…….and then eventually it was Caldy President Jim Churchill’s turn to
say a few words.
Jim
was never a man for a monologue, a no-nonsense former hooker and as tough as
teak, Jim standing erect and defiantly proud encouraged everyone to join him in
a toast. 400 diners got to their feet ‘A toast’ said Jim ‘”to Old
Albanians the team that actually won the f….ing league”
The
game
Richmond
started the better and when after 20 minutes Caldy 2nd row Jack
Collister was red carded for an inadvertent tip tackle and moments later giant
tighthead prop Degsy Salisbury had to leave the field it was surely curtains
for Caldy.
Caldy’s
14 players went deep. Somehow through dogged defence and nerveless kicking by
Welsh wizard Gavin Roberts they hung in but with only moments to go to full
time they trailed 13-6. Then the magic happened. A sublime move put Caldy full
back Sooty in under the posts, 13-13 and extra time beckoned.
It
went all the way to the wire and it took a rampaging Kyle Sinclair to put Will
Warden in for his second try in the final minutes to give Richmond the victory.
Oh
what a wonderful day for Richmond and for Caldy who had played their part. But
disappointment for a fraught Andrew Soutar who travelled across London at illegal
speed only to see his beloved LFC lose 2-1 to Chelsea.
Edited by Big Eddie - 16 Sep 2022 at 10:53 |
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Pappashanga
World Cup Winner Joined: 23 Sep 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 2167 |
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Yes I remember watching it. The red card was a notable feature. Caldy played out of their skins.
I was trying to remember what year it was. So now I know. Ten years goes by so fast. Glad both teams have prospered in the meantime.
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pappashanga
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Camquin
World Cup Winner Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: Cambridge Status: Offline Points: 11408 |
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I think it is a little unfair to call that OAs side Saracens. OAs still run multipole sides, a min and juniors and girls and ladies sides. It featured Shanners at fly half and a host of one club players. There
were four players who had, or would have Saracens caps: Paul Gustard,
Matt Hankin, Scott Spurling and Olly Marchon (who once kept a bench
warm) - a total of 100 caps. There were more ex-Cambridge players. Saracens
rent space from the umbrella sports club, as do OAs rugby. The rugby
club does not directly receive money. In recent years the presence of
the Herts rugby coaches - who moved over from Welwyn - attracts more
boys and girls to the minis than the presence of Saracens. |
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Sweeney Delenda Est
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Big Eddie
World Cup Winner Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Status: Offline Points: 5045 |
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You are probably right at that time Camquin......I remember a couple of occasions when OAs had a lot of Dual Reg players and it caused an awful fuss.....
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Big Eddie
World Cup Winner Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Status: Offline Points: 5045 |
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It was a great day out for Caldy and the hospitality from Richmond was just first class. A lot of the Richmond glitterati were consoling Caldy by remarking how well we had played and the better side lost etc. To be honest we were hugely relieved to come away with a glorious defeat, playing brilliantly with the odds stacked against us and only succumbing to a last minute score by the hugely impressive Will Warden who along with Caldy's Gavin Roberts and Andrew Soutar was in my picks for man of the match. At the time Caldy weren't nearly ready for the rigours of National 1 so this glorious defeat was in itself a good result for Caldy. At the end of the game an attractive media lady from Richmond asked me if I could introduce Caldy's Big Eddie to her .....I was very tempted to reveal my identity but common sense prevailed and I directed her to Caldy second row -big Nick King. In turn Kingy suggested I had been mistaken and pointed out Shaun Woof as 'Big Eddie' This very attractive lady worked her way through most of the Caldy side before finally admitting defeat when it was suggested that diminutive scrum half John Broxon could be the real Big Eddie. A truly wonderful day
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Member728
World Cup Winner Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Location: RAG Status: Offline Points: 2727 |
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BE
great day red card I thought was a little harsh yellow certainly so in Caldy's honour the pitch tomorrow is surrounded by marquees |
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Big Eddie
World Cup Winner Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Status: Offline Points: 5045 |
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What on earth were those marquees all about..........were you selling them? Richmond FC were great hosts all those years ago and the only complaint from Big Derek Salisbury was the lack of his snack of choice ......the best Pot Noodle has to offer "Bombay Bad Boy". We may be light in numbers this year.......I think our travelling party is just 7 of us.....unlikely to qualify as a horde. Despite this we are immensely looking forward to the return match. Do you remember this moment Member728 ? Sooty scoots over for a sublime try and takes the game into extra time .......whilst also potentially compromising his status as the leader of the LFC Ultras Bit of a video Q&A 1. What does the Richmond supporter say at the end of the video clip? 2. What was the name of the spectator who nearly lost his noggin when Sooty kicks the ball into oblivion after his touch down? Edited by Big Eddie - 16 Sep 2022 at 17:22 |
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Member728
World Cup Winner Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Location: RAG Status: Offline Points: 2727 |
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What on earth were those marquees all about.
we have hidden a pot noodle in one
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Big Eddie
World Cup Winner Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Status: Offline Points: 5045 |
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The Ravers are presently travelling to Richmond in good heart boosted by a brilliant new innovation for this season. Karen Jones mother of Caldy’s star winger Ben Jones has produced her usual delicious tiffin but to celebrate Caldy’s elevation to the Championship each piece of Tiffin is individually stamped with the Ravers logo. This has pushed the bar ever higher …. what other Championship side can compete?
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Runitback
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Surely Doncaster's artisan "CowPie" more than trumps Caldy's French fancies!!!!
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Run with it
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Big Eddie
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We will judge when we taste it.
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Big Eddie
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We are running about 10 to 15 minutes late….. all down to our new coach driver Jane Harwood from Wigan who failed to find the Caldy RFC club house for 30 minutes….. her excuse…” All I saw was an open field and a wooden hut and I didnt think it could possibly be the home of a Championship Rugby club”
Edited by Big Eddie - 17 Sep 2022 at 13:00 |
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Big Eddie
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Nick Royle’s try was one the greatest individual tries I have seen at any level He fended off and broke through maybe 5 tackles in a 90 metre solo run. Great day at the RAG top people, top hospitality, top result
Edited by Big Eddie - 17 Sep 2022 at 18:42 |
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workerbee
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What is even more remarkable about Nick Royle's try is that he has now scored 314 National league tries since he made his depute for Manchester in 2002 and he is still as fast!! I believe his record will last for many years.
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