Forwards deliver for Caldy in gritty win

CALDY proved that you don’t necessarily need points to make for an exciting game on the rugby field as they edged out Wharfedale on their travels.

In a well-matched affair, both outfits dug in for the entire 80 minutes to make for a gritty, enthralling spectacle.

And Caldy head coach Matt Cairns noted afterwards the importance of sticking in there and doing the basics right.

“We were in a tough game played in front of a loud crowd,” he said.

“We knew that Wharfedale would provide us with a challenge and they did. I was proud that our lads eked out a win at the end.

“I challenged the forwards at half time to perform and was pleased with the way they controlled the maul and the scrum.”

There were no tries in the first half but Caldy went in at the break up 6-3.

They got their first penalty when Dale charged in at the side of a ruck to clear out, Ben Jones kicking it.

Jack Blakeney-Edwards responded minutes later to level the score, but Jones gave the visitors the lead with another shot from 35 metres. Caldy came out for the second half and played with plenty more purpose.

A turnover resulted in early possession in Dale’s 22 and a penalty followed, and a quick tap-and-go led to a try for man-of-thematch Cameron Davies.

The conversion was missed but Caldy extended the lead to eight points.

Dale had a penalty at the restart for a touch of afters after the try had been scored and the home side worked hard at gaining a territorial advantage.

A yellow card for Caldy’s Edward Stagg then gave them a numerical advantage as well as they looked to re-establish themselves in the contest.

And Blakeney-Edwards delivered as he quickly cut the lead to five points with a penalty.

Dale then attacked from the restart and a great kickand-chase resulted in Wharfedale possession in Caldy’s 22, George Hedgley bursting from the ruck to score and level things, with the conversion missed.

Caldy got their rolling maul going and soon had Dale pinned in their own 22 and a yellow card to Dale’s George Hedgley saw the home defence depleted.

The visitors opted for a scrum from the penalty and pushed Dale back for Josiah Dickenson to score. No conversion left Caldy with a five-point lead.

And that was how it remained, as Caldy won the battle up front with a much heavier pack, evident in the second half when they got their rolling maul working with great effect.

The visitors were effective at managing the break down, with good defence and discipline as both sides played some entertaining rugby.

Jon Feeley, Wharfedale head coach, said: “But for a few key moments in the second half, this was a game that could have gone our way.

“We matched them physically and played the better rugby, but their game management saw them home.

“We’ll learn from that. I am very proud of our effort and the manner in which we conducted ourselves.”