Cairns hails Caldy’s defiance as visitors pay the penalty

By JOHN LYON

Caldy …………………….. 9

Cambridge …………….0

CALDY claimed victory in the tightest of matches as Ben Jones kicked three penalties without reply.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season had ended in a draw, and another close contest was expected at Paton Field. It lived up to the pre-match predictions, and after a physical encounter Caldy’s head coach Matt Cairns acclaimed his side for a “first class all-round effort”.

“Conditions were heavy and we adjusted our game plan to suit,” he said. “It was a firstclass defensive effort against an exceptionally good side. We kicked our penalties when we had the opportunity to do so which enabled us to come out on the right side of the scoreline.”

The result keeps the Wirral side in second place in the table and inches them closer to leaders Rosslyn Park, but Cairns refused to be drawn on Caldy’s prospects for the rest of the season.

“There are eight games still to be played against eight very good sides and after those games are over we will tot up the points and see where we are.”

In the first half a series of shuddering tackles by Caldy’s tighthead prop Nathan Rushton and flanker Harrison Crowe drew gasps from the home supporters and typified Caldy’s defensive effort. Try as they might, the ‘Blood and Sand’ couldn’t break through.

The second half was a repeat of the first with neither side being able to cross the line. The closest either came was through a Nick Royle chip and chase which would have surely resulted in a score for the home side if the ball hadn’t stuck in the heavy pitch.

For most of the 80 minutes Cambridge dominated possession but rarely broke through Caldy’s defensive cordon.

The visitors had three or four kickable penalties but opted for the kick to the corner. On another day and against another team it might have worked, but not against Caldy. This was the difference between the sides.