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#Post#: 14655--------------------------------------------------
Thoughts on the Caldy game
DIR By: Rothoik
Date: October 10, 2026, 3:50 am
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It was my first time watching a match on Clubber and I actually
enjoyed the minimalist coverage, worth the tenner anyway in that
respect. Roth were dominant in the first half and were clearly
the better side, barely giving Caldy a sniff. We defended
stoutly, we looked dangerous with ball in hand and kept our
mistake count down. Lineout functioned well and scrum was
dominant. Isaac Shaw is a classy player and he created 2 tries
for Barling with top drawer skills and timing. Barling is a
terrific finisher, often having work to do to get over the line.
26-0 at half time should have been 40-0 at half time, with 2
clear cut chances going begging; the first was Morgan Veness
ploughing straight into his opposite man (it was a great,
thunderous carry) but missing Cambriani on his left screaming
for the ball and with a clear run in. the second was after a
fantastic Callum Bustin counter attack from deep where again we
had a pretty clear run in but somehow fumbled the last pass.
Overall, though first half was imperious.
The second half started badly with the kick-off going dead and
giving Caldy a scrum and from there, they worked the ball up and
we conceded a penalty under pressure. They eventually scored as
we ran out of numbers. This lifted Caldy who had a real period
of pressure and it seemed like 2 different teams were playing.
We conceded 4 tries in the second half, mainly due to
indiscipline (albeit I felt the ref harshly penalised Roth at
the rook on one occasion which led to Caldy score eventually).
This shows that the teams at this level are capable of making
the most of any scraps you feed them. The bench for Roth added
impetus and we seemed to regain control in the last quarter of
the match with a penalty try and then Barlings hat trick try.
It looks to me like we need to:
1/ Tighten up the ruck defense a little, it was very good at
times but we got caught out a few times there
2/ Get the ball to our backs, we have serious fire power in our
back line. We need a zippy scrum half to back up JB, who had a
solid game. We seem comparatively ponderous when getting the
ball out.
3/ Tighten up the set piece kicking, we cannot afford to miss
touch or go out on the full or kick dead, it is an absolute gift
to the oppo at this level
Other than we are strong and competitive team and the league is
shaping up nicely. It will be competitive and there will be a
tight, crowded mid table zone due to the new points system.
onwards and upwards!!
#Post#: 14656--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thoughts on the Caldy game
DIR By: Chris.Garbutt
Date: October 10, 2026, 5:32 am
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Good analysis. We looked dominant in the first half and took the
foot off the gas in the second a little. I think the kick off
going dead at the start of the second half really is what handed
over momentum to Caldy. Caldy have a big second half in them and
all we needed to do is play that kick safe, play the field
position and keep our points tally ticking. Caldy were never
going to roll over though and were bound to score at some point.
We need to work on staying switched on for the full 80. We can't
afford to give anything in these games as mistakes go punished
and very quickly. The lads know what to do.
We have proved yet again we are competing at this level and
competing well with clear room for growth. I can see a massive
performance coming from us soon and really showing a top side
what we can do.
I think Cam Kelemeti has more than proven he is a fast, zippy 9
and has been awesome so far. He came on last night at a time
where we really didn't need to speed up the game with 10 or so
minutes to go. In our first game Clubber picked out our 9's as
exceptional player at the end of the game in the interview with
Harvey. For me he is more than good enough, he looks fast and
dangerous and knows this level. If anything he usually picks up
the pace. Last night he came onto the pitch with instructions
and we got the job done.
3 wins from 4, you can't ask for more really. Mond away and
Pirates at home will be another set of tough games but we can
get points once again. Another win out the next 2 and we are
looking very, very good.
#Post#: 14657--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thoughts on the Caldy game
DIR By: Rothoik
Date: October 10, 2026, 7:18 am
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I think the conditions in the second half probably dictated the
tempo, to be fair to Kelemeti, he didnt get much game time and
as you say was probably instructed to keep things a bit tighter
and again the natural instinct would have been to tighten up
with the rain pouring down. Both Caldy scrum half players looked
sharp and kept our defence honest. I thought Caldy had great
hands in the backs when they got momentum and our defence was
stretched quite a few times. I can see why they are not easily
contained and have the second half comeback in them. It did feel
like we handed them their chances though and this is actually
positive as that is an area for improvement.
I will be travelling up to Richmond next week visitng friends
and watching the game. Richmond is a great club and it is good
to be back with them in the same league. They showed their metal
against Worcester and I think they will be a very tough team to
beat on the road. Hopefully, notwithstanding injuries, we can
put out another strong team and get some more points and maybe
even a cheeky win.
#Post#: 14658--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thoughts on the Caldy game
DIR By: Chris.Garbutt
Date: October 10, 2026, 7:28 am
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The conditions certainly will have made a big impact, I think
our penalty count was too high in the second half which is
something we need to keep an eye on as your top sides would have
punished us. It also allowed Caldy to retain the ball, field
position and pressure in the second half. On the positive side
we soaked up a lot of pressure and managed to keep ahead on the
score sheet and finished the game with a comfortable scoreline
in the end. The score didn't quite reflect how close it was.
We are still adjusting to this league, its a big step up but for
me the signs are there, we can mix it with most teams
particularly at home. Your Worcester's and Ealing's are always
going to have an edge but so far so good. Even though we got a
few things wrong, we have highlighted areas to improve and this
side do improve week on week.
You are right about Mond, they are a very good side and a great
club. They will be targeting a win against us with the home
advantage. Any points will be very welcomed but as you say if we
can sneak a win then things are looking good. We have to take
every opportunity we can as the division is so competitive.
Another tough one but we get a few extra days to recover and
prepare so hopefully we can make the most of that this week.
#Post#: 14660--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thoughts on the Caldy game
DIR By: Whiterhino
Date: October 11, 2026, 4:48 am
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How did the attendance hold up, playing on a dark, cold and wet
Friday night ?
#Post#: 14662--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thoughts on the Caldy game
DIR By: The Lone Ranger
Date: October 11, 2026, 2:38 pm
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Similar to the first two games around 750 according to the rugby
paper.
#Post#: 14663--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thoughts on the Caldy game
DIR By: Youngman
Date: October 11, 2026, 5:10 pm
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A great win for Roth on Friday Night, I think we've already got
more wins than the last relegation season in the Championship.
However, I do agree that the defence needs tightening slightly,
despite that 3 wins from 4 is an excellent start.
#Post#: 14664--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thoughts on the Caldy game
DIR By: Rucko
Date: October 12, 2026, 2:41 am
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To date we have played 3 home games and only one away fixture.
Having won the matches at home is an achievement however two of
those could easily have ended up being drawn or lost. It would
be great to achieve another victory on the road but home
advantage appears to have a significant impact on the final
result. Certainly Richmond have an excellent home record
#Post#: 14665--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thoughts on the Caldy game
DIR By: Rothoik
Date: October 12, 2026, 3:24 am
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Last season, Caldy just escaped relegation with 9 wins, 11 TBs
and 5 LBs giving them 52 points. I think it might be a bit
tighter in the mid table this season, as it is more difficult to
get the 5 pointers. We have 3 times scored 6 tries and have no
try bonus points. Looking at the league, quite a few teams are
leaking 4 tries, even in victory and as a result, are not
getting the TB. I think this new system favours the really top
teams more than the 4 try TB. It requires your defence to match
your attack. When you look at the Caldy game, the second half
had a lot of mistakes and we put pressure on ourselves. The kick
off went dead and that eventually led to a try after some
penalties. I also thought their scrum half nipped through twice
at the ruck so we need to shore that up a bit. Overall, we are
probably playing more accurately and with less mistakes than
ever before but we are being punished for the mistakes we do
make more ruthlessly than in Nat 1. Momentum swings and as Rucko
says, home advantage play a more significant part in these
matches.
#Post#: 14666--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thoughts on the Caldy game
DIR By: Jim Garbutt
Date: October 12, 2026, 9:57 am
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Overall this has been a very strong start to the season but it
is a very tough league. Yes we were well ahead at half time
against Caldy, but Coventry were well ahead of us at half time.
It emphasises what tight margins there are between a lot of
teams in this league and games can turn very quickly. I am so
encouraged that we have clearly shown that we can compete
effectively at this level. There is a long way to go, but I am
convinced we will continue to compete and will be securely in
the top half at the end of the season. I do think Worcester and
Ealing will be the top 2 teams looking at results so far and I
think Coventry will be up there also. But I think we will be in
the next 3 or 4.
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