Caldy set for national stage

Sep 1 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

CALDY are looking for a big start to their National Three North League campaign when they take on Hull Ionians at Paton Field this afternoon.

It is a first venture into the national stage for the Wirral club who has prepared well for the new challenge.

They have retained most of last season’s promotion winning squad and have also recruited well. Several of the new signings will be in today’s starting line-up.

Caldy will be looking for a major contribution from goal kicking ace Simon Mason in the months ahead. He had a huge say in their North One championship campaign.

He figured at fly-half last season but its now likely to start at full-back with new signings Ben Macpherson and Russ Meadows at half-back.

Sean Wooff will captain Caldy this season with Sam Dickinson the new vice-captain.

Ionians are likely to provide strong opposition. Like Caldy they have brought in some influential players and could be among the front-runners in the division.

League action for most local clubs does not start until next Saturday.

Birkenhead Park go to Lymm for a competitive friendly with their second team at Chester in the Bateman BMW Premiership to which they have been promoted. New signing Njike Tchakoute appears in the back-row.

Oldershaw and Sefton meet at Belvidere in the Senior Vase competition.