Caldy lost their final home game of the season against Loughborough Students

Apr 22 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

Caldy15

Loughborough Students25

CALDY melted away in the final home game of the season at a red-hot Paton Field.

Under a burning sun, the visitors won the second half 22-3 due to their superior finishing power but also due to Caldy’s mistakes and an at times incomprehensible display from referee James Fisher.

Loughborough took the lead with a penalty from Murray Allen, but Caldy looked dangerous when they had the ball and their back-row of Sam Dickinson, Jake Lyon and Matt Lamming were giving a masterclass to the students whenever they tried to attack.

After 30 minutes, Caldy finally had a run of possession and a charge from Ian Critchley eventually led to Andrew Soutar popping up on the opposite wing and crossing the try line when the ball was moved out wide.

Gavin Roberts converted from the touchline to make it 7-3.

Caldy then scored a textbook try from Roberts, after Shaun Woof and Soutar worked a set move in midfield to deceive the students' defence.

Roberts missed the conversion, but at 12-3, Caldy were well set for the second half.

However after the break, their earlier cohesion and drive deserted them and what had been a one-sided penalty count became truly ridiculous.

After being penalised for pushing too early at the scrum on 58 minutes, they collectively switched off, allowing Loughborough winger Simon Lilley to tap the ball to himself and run in from 60 metres.

Worse was to follow when with Caldy on the attack, Mark Turner’s misplaced pass led to Loughborough’s Ross Turner scoring from distance again 10 minutes later.

Caldy continued to try and play rugby, and a Roberts penalty was cancelled out by one from Allen, making the score 15-20. However, Loughborough stand-off Allen intercepted a pass and kicked through, with second-row Rob Wood completed the scoring when they won the ball.

All in all, a disappointing way for Caldy to end their season at home, with only the long trip to Hull Ionians to come next week, followed by the Caldy Sevens on May 3.

Caldy also paid tribute to their former players on Saturday, with their annual lunch.

The tremendous turn-out enjoyed reminiscing about the old days, and some fantastic entertainment from the Caldy club choir.