Caldy RFC get just reward in re-arranged league match with Harrogate

Jan 21 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

THERE was a sense of justice being done on the Wirral when Caldy won their re-arranged league match against Harrogate 28-14.

The previous game between the two clubs was abandoned due to fog last year, with the Paton Field men leading 14-5 at the time, just five minutes away from the result standing.

Although neither side had played for three weeks, there was no sign of their enforced lay off as they tore into each other.

Playing with the wind, Caldy struck inside the first five minutes, when the back row swarmed over Harrogate full back Ed Smithies after he knocked on in his own 22. The ball was quickly moved wide, where Gavin Roberts was held up but put the supporting Mark Turner in for the try. Although the conversion struck the post, a Roberts’ penalty made it 8-0 after 15 minutes

Caldy then scored the try of the day as No.8 Matt Lamming showed great strength to break from a scrum just inside his own half. When he was brought to ground, prop Gavin Woods rumbled on, and the ball was then moved to stand off Ben Macpherson.

The Harrogate defence closed in, but they were too late as the black shirted genie was out of his bottle and worked his magic to scythe past two would-be tacklers from 35 metres out for a tremendous try under the posts, Roberts’ conversion making it 15-0.

After another Caldy penalty, they were 18-0 up and looking good value for it. But Harrogate got a try back when quick-thinking scrum half Mike Aspinall chipped through for Smithies to score under the posts on the stroke of half time, Cerith Rees converting.

Caldy regrouped though and went straight back on the attack. With only seconds left before the break, Roberts re-established the 18-point lead when he forced his way over the line. His try and conversion made it 25-7 at the break.

The second half was a much grittier affair, with Harrogate pushing Caldy back with some booming kicks, and Caldy’s defence – led by skipper Shaun Woof and scrum half Sam Cottrell – largely holding firm.

It was breached once when a set move from a tap penalty sent visiting flanker James Taggert under the posts untouched, Rees converting to make the score 25-14.

A Roberts’ penalty ensured the visitors were kept at arm’s length for the victory and a personal tally of 18 points. Star Man: Matt Lamming – the Caldy No.8 was powerful and direct at the base of the scrum.