Caldy wriggle way into top half of National Three North

Apr 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

CALDY established themselves in the top half of the National Three North table with an excellent 7-18 victory at Rugby Lions.

It was their 12th win in an encouraging first season on the National scene and they are now in sixth place.

Caldy had the strong wind at their backs in the opening period and were unlucky to have a seemingly good try disallowed for a alleged foot in touch – although the player did not have the ball in hand at the time and had to settle for a couple of penalties via Simon Mason.

The 6-0 advantage did not appear to be enough, as they turned to face the elements.

But Caldy took the game to the opposition after the break and were rewarded when Craig Ross chipped through and regained possession from a defensive error to cross with Mason adding the extras with an excellent kick.

Rugby secured a converted try on 65 minutes but the Caldy forwards were on top, with David Mercer always in the thick of the action.

Pressure was rewarded with an unconverted try from Marcus Coast and it was all over for the Lions, who could not really get to grips with solid defensive work they encountered.

New Brighton played the wrong game in the difficult conditions at Vale of Lune and fell to a surprise North Two West 20-12 defeat against lowly opposition.

Vale with a relegation battle on their hands were really up for the contest and hardly missed a tackle.

The Blues forwards had their moments with two tries for Kati Tuipulotu and one conversion via Gareth Jones.

But the home side scored three tries, a conversion and a penalty and deserved the victory. On the debit side, Brighton back-row man Josh Bates suffered a serious ankle dislocation in the first period and faces an operating theatre date today.

But on a brighter note, coach Steve Dorrington joined Mark Dorrington in the pack during the second-half from the replacements bench.

The two brothers between them have now made 900 appearances for the Hartsfield outfit.

Unbeaten Kendal confirmed their North One title with a 7-20 mud-bath victory over Birkenhead Park at Upper Park last Saturday.

Park made the Cumbrians work hard throughout and the only score of the half came when Kendal prop Duncan Green powered over in the corner.

Kendal added two further forward tries as they built up a 15-0 lead after 75 minutes.

Yet again Park showed their fighting spirit as Dave Blyth appeared to have scored only for the referee to be unsighted.

Park then scored the best try of the game when winger Andy Trotter showed great pace to split the Kendal midfield wide open to score under the posts with Handley converting.

Kendal survived the Park comeback and made the game safe with a late fourth try by Gary Holmes.

Excitement is building at the Upper Park as preparations are underway for their EDF Energy Intermediate Cup Final at Twickenham against rivals Chester on April 12 .

In the South Lancashire/Cheshire One League, Wallasey were made to work hard to claim the Division Two derby against Oldershaw 17-9. Mark Hallam landed three penalties for the losers.

Touch downs from Joe Fisher, Ciaran Green, Rob Johnston and Gareth Knapman plus two Knapman conversions brought Prenton a much-needed 24-18 win over Holmes Chapel in Division Three.