Caldy climb the table . . .

2:05pm Tuesday 12th February 2008

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IT was a great day for Caldy on Saturday as they came away 56-25 winners from Preston Grasshoppers in National Three North to step into the top half of the table.

The Hoppers simply had no answer as Caldy, despite injury problems, cut loose with nine tries in all, one of them a penalty try.

The other touch downs came via Sean Woof, 2, Ben Wylie, 2, Craig Ross, Matt Holt, Sam Dickinson and Gavin Woods. Marcus Coast took the kicking duties in place of the absent Simon Mason and targeted four conversions and a penalty.

It was not so good for Birkenhead Park and New Brighton . . .

Park, with key players missing, lost 0-8 at home to Altrincham Kersal in North One and had lock David Blythe dismissed.

Brighton, with a much weakened back division, fell 17-29 at second-placed Stockport and now seem out of promotion contention in North Two West, eight points behind leaders Chester.

The Blues paid for a poor first period, when they conceded five tries plus two conversions. Paul Campbell did cross for the visitors, with Gareth Jones converting, and they went on to win the second period 10-0 via a penalty try and the goal plus a penalty by Jones.

Wirral went to leaders Wilmslow in South Lancashire and Cheshire One and came close to a shock win. It finished 22-19 to the East Cheshire outfit, but Wirral had chances to tip the balance their way.

In the end they had to settle for two tries via Ian White and a third from Colin Davies, plus two conversions by Dan Harvey.

Hoylake went under 10-17 at home to Wigan, with Steve Young gaining their points from a try, a conversion and penalty.

Anselmians lost the relegation clash at Ruskin Park 21-38, but did manage touch downs via Paul Kay and Anthony Molloy, with Chris Wells on target with one conversion and a trio of penalties.

Bottom-of-the-table Oldershaw produced the result of the day in Division Two, winning 17-15 at leaders Sefton. John Roberts crossed twice and Mark Hallam managed both goals and a crucial penalty.

Wallasey produced a strong finish to draw 20-20 against Ormskirk. Greg McDonald and Keith Mahon breached the visiting defence and Paul Lewis kicked the remainder of the points.

Parkonians gained a try from Alan Williams in a 5-12 finish against Moore in Division Three and Prenton had to settle for a Rob Johnston touch down in a 5-46 reverse at home to Trentham.

It was better for Port Sunlight in Division Four - they saw off Congleton 22-10.

Caldy have Darlington Mowden Park as visitors in National Three North on Saturday on another full league Saturday.

Birkenhead Park in North One journey to Westoe, with New Brighton entertaining Leigh in North Two West.

Other games lower down the scale include Hoylake at Bowdon, Anselmians v Wilmslow, Wirral v Aspull, Oldershaw v Dukinfield, Wallasey at Ashton-on-Mersey, Parkonians at Newton-le-Willows, Prenton at Mossley Hill and Port Sunlight at Knutsford.

Parkonians and Ellesmere Port meet at New Brighton this evening (Wednesday) in a re-arranged Wirral Floodlit Cup encounter (7.30pm). In last week's tie, Capenhurst beat Helsby 20-10.

Meanwhile New Brighton have arranged a game against a Romanian side for next Wednesday (February 20) at Hartsfield (7.30pm).