CALDY produced a fantastic comeback to secure their first home win in the Championship against fully professional side Cornish Pirates.

It was the South West team who made the better start to the match in challenging snowy conditions at Paton Field.

Wirral Globe: Paton Field before the game with Cornish Pirates Paton Field before the game with Cornish Pirates (Image: Bob Shaw)

The visitors took the lead after just eight minutes after some good phase play through the forwards, the Pirates were awarded a penalty five metres out which was taken quickly and allowed Rhardh Dawson in to score.

The Pirates were able to exploit a space in the Caldy defence on 23 minutes finding a gap at the back of the ruck allowing Shane Tucker to score under the posts.

Caldy got back into the match through a penalty from Elliott Gourlay as the home side started to exert some pressure on the game although neither side were able to trouble the score board again before half time.

Wirral Globe: Caldy take on Cornish Pirates at a freezing Paton Field Caldy take on Cornish Pirates at a freezing Paton Field (Image: Bob Shaw)

Caldy burst out of the blocks in the second half and scored within four minutes of the restart when a skilful kick from Martin Gerrard caught Pirates off guard allowing Nick Royle to score in the corner.

Caldy dominated from that moment on staying almost camped on the Pirates five metre line.

Just after the hour mark with the forwards pushing for the line the ball went wide to Mike Cartmill who was able to slide over with Gourlay's conversion giving Caldy the lead.

The game then became scrappy and each team was nervous of making a mistake.

A clash of heads with less than five minutes on the clock saw Caldy’s Adam Aigbokhe sent off which seemed harsh, however Caldy were able to hold out for a famous victory.

Wirral Globe: Staff at Caldy RFC clear the pitch ahead of their game with Cornish Pirates Staff at Caldy RFC clear the pitch ahead of their game with Cornish Pirates (Image: Bob Shaw)

Speaking after the match, head Coach Matt Cairns, said: “At half time we made a couple of mistakes, they'd scored a couple of tries, but I thought we controlled the second half really well, the game management eight nine and ten were pretty good, in the scrum the maul and the lineout functions and we're delighted with that”.

Caldy chairman Gary Devaney also thanked volunteers who gave up their free time on Saturday morning joining him to help clear the pitch allowing the game to go ahead.

Next week is the last league home game of 2022 against unbeaten league leaders and last season's Champions, Ealing Trailfinders, with the West London side making their first ever trip to the Wirral for a league match.