CALDY put up a more than creditable National Two North League performance against promotion chasing Ampthill & District at Paton Field and had the satisfaction of a try bonus point and also a losing bonus point from a 29-36 scoreline.

It was an intriguing contest in which a major upset became a real possibility late on as the local side clawed back from 10-33 to 29-33 thanks to a golden 13-minute spell.

Wirral Globe:

Caldy in action against Ampthill & District at Paton Field on Saturday. Picture: Paul Heaps 

The visitors had always looked to have that little bit extra in hand but there was real anxiety in their ranks until a late penalty took them a score clear.

Ampthill with some vastly experienced players in their squad looked a classy outfit.

They are already assured of a play off place but would love to pip Hull Ionians for the automatic promotion spot. They currently trail them by just three points.

Caldy can take great satisfaction from their display which leaves them alongside Sedgley Park in third place in the table.

They had the best possible start with Tom Banks going clear from half way for a fourth minute touch down and Gavin Roberts adding the goal.

Forward pressure from a scrum and then a line-out earned the visitors two tries and there was a third after a telling centre break. Two were converted whilst Caldy secured a Roberts penalty for a 10-19 interval score.

Wirral Globe:

Caldy in action against Ampthill & District at Paton Field on Saturday. Picture: Paul Heaps 

Darrell Dyer and Kenni Barrett crossed for the visitors in the third quarter. Both kicks were successful and a landslide now looked possible.

Caldy however had other ideas. Replacement Chris Jones was at the bottom of the heap as the forwards powered over from a line-out on 64 minutes.

Two minutes later a Caldy breakaway from well in their own half ended with Roberts drifting over and adding the kick.

Wirral Globe:

Caldy in action against Ampthill & District at Paton Field on Saturday. Picture: Paul Heaps 

The locals now really had their tails up and set up a grandstand finale as Nick Royle scorched over and Roberts goaled to cut the gap to a mere four points.

There was now a real danger of Ampthill harming their season long promotion ambition but to their credit they found new reserves of energy, camped in Caldy territory and scored via a crucial 78th minute penalty before missing an easier one in added time.

Wirral Globe:

Caldy in action against Ampthill & District at Paton Field on Saturday. Picture: Paul Heaps 

So a vital double was achieved but Ampthill will no doubt be looking to Caldy to do them a favour by overturning Ionians in their last game next month.

Wirral Globe:

Caldy in action against Ampthill & District at Paton Field on Saturday. Picture: Paul Heaps 

All the other Wirral clubs had a league free Saturday.

Meanwhile Birkenhead Park will host this season's Cheshire Cup final.

It will take place at the Upper Park on Saturday 2nd May and there will be local interest with Caldy up against Sale.

The kick-off will be 3pm.

Caldy who are high up National Two North League will step out as favourites but will not be able to take anything granted against a Sale side presently sitting at the head of National Three North.

The Cheshire County will also stage a competition finals day on Saturday 4th April at Winnington Park.

Oxton Parkonians and Oldershaw clash in the last stage of the Plate with an 11.30am start.

The Bowl final between Ashton on Mersey and Southern Nomads will follow at 1.30pm and lastly the Vase final between Crewe and Nantwich and Wilmslow will have a 3.30pm opening.

Caldy will be glad of a break this coming weekend but a number of local clubs face commitments. Wirral are due at Waterloo for a cross river in National Three North contest.

In North One West leaders Birkenhead Park head to Bolton with New Brighton entertaining second placed Kirby Lonsdale.

Other fixtures include in South Lancashire/Cheshire One Anselmians at LSH and a Ruskin Park v Hoylake relegation dog fight.

Prenton and Port Sunlight figure in a Division Two derby at Prenton Dell Road.

There are no Division Three fixtures.