by Alex Didlick
A blustery afternoon on the Wirral provided the backdrop for a compelling Champ Rugby battle as Coventry travelled to Paton Field to take on Caldy. With the sides sitting next to each other in the table, this felt like a pivotal fixture in the early playoff picture – and it delivered in full. Battling a stiff breeze and a spirited home side, Coventry produced a resilient and clinical performance to come away with a hugely impressive away victory.
Josh Thomas got us underway with a kick deep into Caldy territory, the swirling crosswind into the clubhouse immediately testing both sides. Coventry applied early pressure but were unable to turn possession into points as Caldy managed to clear their lines. The hosts began to find their feet, with winger Obi Ene slicing into the Coventry 22, though the move was well shut down by determined Cov defence.
Caldy continued to build momentum and soon earned a scrum five metres out. From the resulting phase, Michael Barlow took advantage of a momentary lapse in Coventry’s defensive line to crash over, giving the home side a 7–0 lead.
Coventry responded swiftly. Recovering the restart for the second successive time, they carried with real intent through the forwards, forcing their way down to the Caldy line. Morgan Strong finished the work under the posts to restore parity and steady the contest.
The game ebbed and flowed. Caldy again threatened inside the Coventry 5-metre area after a suspected high tackle, but disciplined red-zone defence forced them backwards. The referee eventually deemed the pressure offside, awarding Caldy a simple penalty to edge back in front, 10–7.
Obi Ene continued to cause problems on the right, leaping to claim a box kick inside the Cov 22 before breaking the line to send Ryan Higginson over in the corner. The hosts were enjoying their best spell. And from relatively parity were suddenly 17-7 up.
But Coventry stayed patient in their approach. Sustained pressure late in the half was rewarded when Senitiki Nayalo powered through the Caldy defence, showcasing the visitors’ forward strength and bringing them back within three before the break. Caldy pressed once more before half-time, but a crucial defensive stand and penalty allowed Coventry to clear their lines and head into the sheds trailing just 17–14.
The temperature dropped as the players returned for a pivotal second half, with both sides aware of the stakes. Coventry started with real intent. Sam Maunder broke sharply through the middle, and his work led to a five-metre scrum. Three penalties followed, putting Caldy on a final warning, but Coventry were unable to capitalise, turned away by a huge defensive effort on the line- a let-off for the hosts.
Undeterred, Coventry went again. An outstanding steal from Jordon Poole, followed by powerful carries from Sullivan and Nayalo, pushed the visitors deep into Caldy territory. Another dominant scrum – a recurring theme – laid the platform, and Josh Thomas stepped up to convert on a lovely line found by his half back partner. This gave Coventry their first lead of the afternoon, 17–21.
Caldy hit back immediately. A misfiring Coventry lineout inside their own 22 handed the hosts possession, and a physical phase of play ended with Connor Wilkinson forcing his way over to reclaim the lead, 22–21.
Once again, Coventry stood up. A favourable restart put them straight back on the front foot, and aggressive carries wore Caldy down before Dafydd Rhys-Tiueti spun through to score, nudging the visitors ahead in this increasingly volatile contest.
Momentum was now firmly with Coventry. Another well-worked restart applied instant pressure, Nayalo punched a hole through midfield, and slick offloading had Caldy scrambling. The move was finished by Ewan Baker, a superb team try that opened up a crucial cushion at 22–33.
Spurred on by a raucous home crowd, Caldy pushed for a way back. The pressure forced the game’s first yellow card, David Opoku-Fordjour sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on. Even a man down, Coventry’s red-zone defence tolerated repeated waves of attack before clearing their lines. The final act saw Josh Barton boot the ball deep into the Wirral night to seal a thoroughly deserved away win.
This was a statement victory from Coventry – resilient under pressure, ruthless when opportunities arose, and dominant where it mattered most. The scrum laid the foundations, the forwards carried with authority, and the backs supported with confidence and clarity. Winning away in these conditions speaks volumes, and Coventry will return home full of belief after a performance that blended grit with attacking ambition. Momentum is building – and this felt like a significant step forward. We move onto Nottingham at the Butts Park Arena next weekend for the first Matt Gallagher Cup as we look to push further up this hugely competitive league!
FT: Caldy 22 – 33 Coventry Rugby
Man of the match – On a day where every point mattered there could only be one winner: Josh Thomas. One of the season’s bright sparks delivered another assured display. With ball in hand and off the boot he oozed confidence, making the game be played at his tempo. With the wind swirling his kicking game stood up, missing just one conversion, while his well-taken try early in the second half proved a pivotal moment in the contest.
Goal kicking
Josh Thomas- 4/5
Kieran Wilkinson- 3/4
Try Scorers:
Coventry Rugby- Morgan Strong (15’), Senitki Nayala (33’), Josh Thomas (51’), Daffyd Rhys-Tiueti (65’), Ewan Baker (69’)
Caldy RFC- Micahel Barlow (11’), Ryan Higginson (26’), Connor Wilkinson (60’)
Line-ups:
Coventry Rugby- Aristot Benz-Salomon, Jordon Poole ©, Eliot Salt, Jack Shine, Senitiki Nayalo, Dan Green, Tom Ball, Morgan Strong, Sam Maunder, Josh Thomas, Peter Sullivan, Dafydd-Rhys Teueti, Oli Morris, Api Bavadra, Ewan Baker
Finishers: Alfie Longstaff, Keston Lines, Matt Johnson, Allan Ferrie, Onisivoro Sukani Nayagi, Josh Barton, Tommy Mathews, Tom Bacon
Caldy RFC- Nathan Rushton, Ollie Hearn, Ryan Higginson, Max Loboda, Sam Olyott, Reuben Logan, Callum Ridgway, JJ Dickinson (c), Nye Thomas, Kieran Wilkinson, Obi Ene, Michael Barlow, Connor Wilkinson, Will Robinson, Charlie Hyde
Finishers: Matt Gallagher, Monty Weatherby, Joe Sproston, Martin Gerrard, Jordan Jones, Ollie Wynn, Jacob Mitchell, Rhys Tudor