Rugby Union: Bagley rolls back the years but Caldy lose

Sep 26 2007 by Colin Free, Liverpool Daily Post

CALDY’S director of rugby, Tony Atherton and his coaches Matt Holt and Simon Mason were left with more than a few late selection headaches prior to Saturday’s game at the Woodlands, Fylde.

The squad has suffered so many injuries to so many crucial players early on this season but when Caldy have needed someone to step up to the plate over the past 10 years it has more often than not been able to call on the services of former captain Jon Bagley at lock – this week was no different.

The veteran Bagley had an outstanding game and turned back time with an energetic display that must have got him close to receiving the man-of-the-match award.

There were other notable performances namely from Ben Macpherson at fly-half, who looks dangerous at every attacking opportunity, and the return of the colossal Loa Tupou at number eight gave the team new options in attack with his powerful running.

The home team were no doubt buoyed by the fact that on each wing they now had their most dangerous options in Oliver Brennand and the returning Nick Royle.

The only major absentee from their squad was the captain and scrum-half Paul Newton. Inevitably it speaks volumes that it was Caldy who were massively disappointed with a narrow loss to one of Lancashire’s premier clubs.

With only six minutes on the clock the referee adjudged that a Fylde forward was offside as the Caldy forwards drove into the Fylde 22 and as expected Simon Mason made the score 3-0 with a well judged penalty kick.

The only try of the game came on 14 minutes as a penalty was awarded for offside and a quick penalty caught the resolute Caldy defence by surprise and with the help of lock Roger Banks the Fylde Prop Sam Simpson barged over the line and scored the only try.

Surprisingly the conversion was missed by the Fylde number 10, Martin Wallwork, from a relatively easy position.

On 28 minutes, following yet another penalty for lack of discipline at the ruck area Wallwork managed to kick the penalty which looked for the remainder of the first half to send Fylde in with an 8-3 lead.

On 40 minutes, prop Derek Salisbury received a yellow card for what the referee described as repeated technical offences but down to 14 men the Caldy players rallied.

The second half saw somewhat of an improvement and for the bulk of the remainder of the game the Caldy forwards made drive after drive but the Fylde defence was excellent.

Caldy now return to home soil to face Harrogate in the fifth league game of the season. Relegated from National Two last season the Yorkshiremen have had a topsy-turvy start and were narrowly beaten at home last Saturday by Preston Grasshoppers.

Caldy will be keep to get back to winning ways and the game kicks off at Paton Field at 3pm.