A blustery Saturday afternoon on October 3rd 2010 saw Loughborough Students Rugby 1st XV lose against a gutsy and hard-working Caldy RFC. It meant that Caldy overtook Loughborough towards the top of National League Two North following a comfortable 36-8 defeat of the students. It was always going to be a tough game for Loughborough, who were top of the table after four games prior to the game, as Caldy came second in the league last year and have started the season in similar fashion as Loughborough. Following a bonus point win away to Harrogate, confidence was high within the Loughborough Students squad and even with a number of players unavailable due to illness and injuries the team still looked strong.
Tight First Half For Loughborough Students
With a large expectant crowd present, the game got off to a very cagey start. Loughborough were put under heavy early pressure, with only 8 minutes on the clock scrum half Henry Pyrgos was sinned binned for stopping a near certain try when not retreating the full distance. Loughborough survived this period without conceding through courageous defending close the try line. The pressure was ended with a penalty awarded to Loughborough after a great tackle by Russell Weir. It took until the 25th minute for the students deadlock to be broken when a missed tackle on Caldy captain Shaun Woof brought the attack within 5 metres of the line, with Lock Gareth Rawlings bundling himself over just right of the posts. An easy conversion followed.
The try brought about added enthusiasm to Loughborough’s attack, causing problems to the Caldy defence. George Drake missing a tough drop goal attempt when having a penalty advantage. This was not the end of the attack however and a sustained effort within the Caldy twenty-two gave a chance for winger Adam Bishop to sprint into the corner only to be held up yards from the line with no support. This was the first opportunity for the backs to show their speed and create real danger among the Caldy rearguard. The gusty conditions did not help Loughborough fly half Drake who pulled a penalty attempt wide of the mark after Caldy lock Paul Arnold was sin-binned close to half time. This left the score at half time Loughborough Students 0 – 7 Caldy.
Caldy Domination
The second half, in the same way as the first, did not start well for the best student team in the country. The kick off was knocked on for a Caldy scrum from which their attacking backs pounced finding space for their left winger Andrew Soutar to finish in the corner. The conversion attempt was missed but the 14 men of Caldy had found too much space with consummate ease, with some Loughborough heads still in the changing rooms. The mistakes in the Loughborough camp continued with some regularity, kicks going straight out of play, handling errors and a struggle to collect a high ball. The physical battle showed up the students inexperience in the pack, with continued foul play in the scrum the referee awarded Caldy a penalty try which was duly converted for a lead of 19 points.
Loughborough got their first points on the board a few minutes later when a break by the rejuvenated Pyrgos lad to a penalty which was put between the posts by Drake. However Loughborough’s momentum was short lived when a drop goal by Caldy fly half Richard Vasey restored the 19 point advantage. On 66 minutes the game took another turn, Caldy number eight Jon Nugent was sin-binned and even though Loughborough’s handling was again shakey Nathan Lambden showed strength with a bursting run down the left crossing the try line wrapped up by two defenders. The ball was grounded fairly and Loughborough had their first try, Drake missing a tough conversion.
Experience The Key To Putting Caldy High In The National League Two North Table
It was then that the rain hurled down, the majority of the crowd ran for cover and the gaps started appearing again in the Loughborough defence. Any chance of a Loughborough fight back was metaphorically washed away when the Caldy captain Woof stole the ball in the midfield and running away for a converted try in greyhound fashion. Resilient running from Loughborough number eight Mike MacFarlane caused problems but again handling errors cost the students as they paid the penalty once again when a rapid Caldy break caused defensive problems for the home side. Caldy lock crossing the line for a fifth and final time for another converted Caldy try.
The analysis of the Loughborough team will inevitably vary, however it was apparent that basic errors caused the team problems from the start. The Caldy backline were quick and often created room for their left winger to pounce, but the overriding difference between the sides came in the pack. The Caldy scrum showed their experience, driving back the students and finding more success in both teams’ line-outs. In all a disappointing display but plenty of areas where the young guns can work on to improve so that they can get back to winning ways throughout the rest of the season.
