Rugby Union: Caldy back in the groove

Oct 1 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

CALDY returned to winning ways in National Three North League in a hard-fought clash against visiting Harrogate.

The forwards laid the foundations of success with Paul White and Richard Bradshaw working well in the lines and Jake Lyon, Loa Topou and Sam Dickinson providing a dominant back-row.

Carl Porschke did well as stand-in scrum-half but the backs, despite some good breaks, generally found the Harrogate defence in sound form.

Both sides were disrupted by injury. Home prop Matt Hold was forced off in the first period and later White sustained an ankle problem.

Topou gained an early try for Caldy and then a fine passing move culminated in Ian Murray crossing to leave Simon Mason an easy goal.

After the break Mason added a penalty and a drop goal and it was a pleasing all-round display which should have reaped a greater dividend.

Harrogate lost several players and ran out of replacements in the end. They finished with 14 men, as did Caldy who had used up all their bench men when White had to retire.