Caldy get on victory trial again against Huddersfield

Feb 11 2009 by Neil Macdonald, Birkenhead News

Caldy22

Huddersfield13

CALDY got back on the victory trail and took advantage of their rivals' weather-enforced absence by overcoming a limited but committed Huddersfield.

In perfect conditions at Paton Field, it was the visitors who started the stronger and enjoyed total dominance of possession for the first 10 minutes.

While they did not look like breaking through, Caldy could not get hold of the ball. And when they finally did, incoming stand-off Chris Buck seemed to struggle to find the pace of the game – missing touch with a penalty and then having a long pass intercepted.

But he soon settled down and played a key role in the first try, backing up a rampaging run by man of the match Gavin Woods to eventually put Gavin Roberts in at the corner. Roberts missed the conversion.

Huddersfield stand-off Chris Johnson, whose prodigious kicking was a feature of the match, traded penalties with Roberts to make it 8-3 to the home team, who were striving to pull away.

But sloppy play cost them two tries when Liam Devaney was tackled into touch as he went over in the corner and then Andrew Soutar was denied by a forward pass.

It was a relief then when Woods burrowed over the Huddersfield line from close range on the stroke of half time, Roberts' conversion making it 15-6.

The second half followed the pattern of the first, with scrappy play preventing the game becoming a true spectacle – although Huddersfield quickly notched a penalty.

But it was Caldy who eventually showed their class, when – from a line out – the ball was moved wide by Gavin Roberts and Soutar made no mistake this time. Roberts converted from the touchline and it seemed Caldy were set to run riot.

Huddersfield showed steel and determination not to let that happen, with substitutes James Mortimer and Alex Battye standing out. They got their reward with a try from Alex Shaw after Ben Harris was tackled short. Johnson's conversion made it 22-13 and while Caldy may feel the gap between the teams should have been greater, Huddersfield are to be commended for ensuring it wasn't.

Caldy captain Shaun Woof said: “They made it hard for us, but after losing at Preston last week, it was important to win. I feel we are close to clicking again, which should stand us in good stead – especially with our injured players close to coming back.”

Meanwhile, Tony Atherton has decided to leave his position of director of rugby at Caldy for personal reasons.

Since he was appointed in 2000, Tony has overseen an era of unparalleled success at every level of the club.

In that time, the first team has enjoyed three promotions and is currently riding high in National League Three North.

The mini and junior sections of the club have seen a steady growth in player numbers with numerous talented players providing a platform for the senior sides.

Caldy chairman Graham Armitage said: “Tony has been a tremendous servant to Caldy and he will leave with our sincere thanks for all the work he has put in over the years. He also deserves great credit for what has been achieved at the club. We wish him well in his retirement.”

Tony said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Caldy and look back on the accomplishments at every level of the club over the past eight years with great satisfaction.”