Rugby Union: Caldy are left to rue one that got away

Oct 10 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

ON the basis of possession Caldy can have little complaint about Saturday’s National Three North 20-16 defeat to Preston Grasshoppers.

There is however, a niggling feeling that this was one of the ‘one’s that got away’.

Caldy turned around at the interval with a narrow lead by 8-7 and they will at least be pleased that they pulled back from the 20-8 advantage that stood only 20 minutes later.

In the finish it was two tries and two penalties a piece, the difference between the two teams being the Preston tries being scored under the post that produced two conversions for the visitors.

The scoring was close and in many areas the game was that tight as well but Caldy will rue both penalties and basic errors for allowing the visitors 13 points in 20 minutes.

This was another game were both sides were too frenetic with the ball in hand; a little patience and perspicacity may well have paid dividends for the home side. Certainly no-one watching could doubt the commitment of two hard-running and tough-tackling teams.

The outcome in terms of the league is that Caldy have not dropped one slot to sixth place however, having played three of the other five they can feel that competing at this level is not a problem.

They are learning that the margin for errors is narrower then ever but if the difference between Caldy and Preston – who are second – comes down to four points then the Wirral side can feel certain that they are heading in the right direction.

Spirit in the camp is apparently very positive after the first-team squad players shut the dressing room door and had a lengthy meeting on Saturday.

This coming weekend the first XV are once again at Paton Field, this time in the first round of the National Cup.

The visitors however, are one of the two sides they are yet to face in the top five.

Leicester Lions lie third and having run within a point at leaders Tynedale Park. They clearly have quality players such as fly-half and former Doncaster man Jon Boden.

Boden had a spell at Rugby Lions and was joined at Leicester this year by two other former Rugby Lions players.

Versatile back Gareth Collins who enjoyed considerable success last season with a good try-scoring record has now moved to full-back rather than his former position on the right wing – the switch did not prevent a hat-trick last Saturday.

Leicester also have forward, Tom Cheney who was the third man captured from their Midlands neighbours. Kick-off at Caldy is at 2.30pm.