Caldy fight for National status

Jan 17 2007 by Nick Moreton, Birkenhead News

CALDY put themselves in a strong position to step up to the national scene as they saw off nearest North One rivals Beverley.

The Wirral team exacted sweet revenge for defeat earlier in the season, their 41-0 victory giving them a four point cushion at the top and a very strong points difference.

Caldy produced some of their best rugby of the season and totally dominated, and there was another masterly kicking performance from Simon Mason, who landed three conversions and a handful of penalties.

Tries from Richard Bradshaw, Sam Dickenson, Matt Bennett and Liam Devaney completed the rout.

At the other end of the table, Birkenhead Park scored a comfortable 25-5 win in their relegation encounter with Chester.

Indiscipline did not help Chester, who had three players sent to the sin bin, and tries from Steve Dodd, Jon Shudall, Steve Clarke and sub Danny Jones, as well as a conversion and penalty from Ben McPhearson completed the important victory for Park.

New Brighton, however, are deep in trouble after a 22-19 loss to Penrith.

With the wind at their backs in the first period, the Blues did will to build a 19-5 advantage.

But they came under severe late pressure and repeated infringements led to a converted penalty try, signalling defeat number 12.