Sale pledge to defend Caldy Sevens crown in 2010
VICTORIOUS Sale Jets coach James Wade has pledged the Premiership giants will return to the Caldy Sevens in 2010 to try and defend their crown.
The Jets turned on the afterburners from the first game to the last on Sunday, matching the glorious weather to overpower all comers – including the Caldy Ben Smith Sevens team in the final.
Hundreds of people from Wirral and beyond took advantage of the bank holiday weekend sunshine to come down and enjoy a wonderful day’s rugby at Paton Field.
Wade said the players were especially determined after losing out last season to the Mighty Minnows.
“We definitely took the competition more seriously this time around and the players were very professional in their whole outlook, which was good to see,” he said.
“Everyone was aware that we would have to perform well or there were teams here who would love nothing more than to put one over us, and we have done that.”
He added: “This is a wonderful place to play rugby and we love coming back here. It gives us a chance to give our young players a run out, as well as see if there are any promising talents that we have missed out on.
“I know that we will be sorting out our fixtures in the next couple of weeks and the Caldy Sevens will definitely be on it for 2010.”
Meanwhile, Caldy President Jim Churchill extended his congratulations to Sale, as well as everyone else who helped make the 66th tournament such a success.
Jim said: “Sale were worthy winners, but even though it is a cliché I would say that rugby was the winner on Sunday.
“The weather was fantastic and the tournament went off without a hitch thanks to the hard work of our ballboys, referees, volunteers and sponsors, Willson Grange Ltd. The Caldy Ben Smith sevens team also did very well to reach the final.
“After our under 13s, 14s and 15s teams won the Cheshire Cup in their age group last weekend – and the club held the first ever Northern Girls 10s tournament on Saturday – the Caldy Sevens was a really great end to what has been a terrific season for our club.”
Sale Jets regain Caldy Sevens title
CALDY Sevens superpowers Sale Jets took the 66th Caldy Sevens title – their sixth in seven years – with an impressive display of rugby at Paton Field.
After losing out to the mighty minnows last year – breaking a run of five straight victories – the Premiership team were thoroughly professional from the first game to the last.
In perfect sevens weather at Paton Field and with free-scoring winger Nick Royle as their spearhead, the young squad topped their group and then breezed through to the final.
There they met home favourites the Caldy Ben Smith Sevens, who harboured hopes of an upset after enjoying some impressive wins of their own.
However the Caldy squad conceded two tries inside the first minute of the final and despite Shaun Woof and Mark Turner striking back, Sale continued to pull away and reclaim the Okell Shield.
Earlier, the Ben Smith team had topped their group, defeating Woodchurch and Fylde, with Caldy first-teamers John Broxson and Dave Mercer outstanding.
Chester were another local team to impress, topping their group and overcoming a strong Fylde team in the quarter finals before running out of steam against the Premiership giants in the semis.
In the Craig Hodgkinson Bowl, Woodchurch Warriors put up a spirited display before losing to Leeds Griffins in the final.
Why the Ben Smith team is a fixture at the Caldy Sevens
ALONG with rugby balls, corner flags and pints of beer, club captain Shaun Woof is a regular fixture at the Caldy Sevens. (held this year on Sunday May 3)
Now 32, the popular centre first turned out when he was 18 and has done so every year since to honour a school friend – Ben Smith.
He said: “Ben was in Birkenhead School and died in a car crash so in his memory, a group of us entered the Sevens in his name.
“We have done it every year since and we always will – for as long as we are able to play anyway!
“His dad Ken – the Caldy Academy manager – gets us shirts every year. It is one of the reasons why the Caldy Sevens means so much to me, and the rest of the players in the Ben Smith team.”
Such is the connection that Shaun has played at the Sevens despite the demands of his distinguished professional career which has seen him play for the likes of Leeds and Worcester, only failing to tie on his boots once, when Leeds’s season was still running.
“I was still here watching though,” he remembered.
This year Shaun hopes to fulfil a long-held ambition of winning the event, but admits it will be tough.
He said: “Each year we have reached the semi-finals or gone far in the competition, but we have never gone all the way.
“That is something we want to do, because we know the original members of the team don’t have too many years left, playing-wise.
“As it is we have teamed up with Caldy to bring in a few reinforcements and a few younger lads, but we will be going all out again to win this year.”
He added: “It will be difficult because Sale are always a top team, and the Fijians will be good players too, but fingers crossed we will do ok.”
Despite playing centre in the 15-a-side version of the game, Shaun now props at Sevens, something he is less than enthusiastic about.
“I usually say to the lad I am up again if you go easy, I will too,” he admits with a smile. “A few of the lads have a go about my propping skills, but I still look forward to playing in whatever position, as well as having a drink and a laugh later on.
“Some of the original Ben Smith team now only take part in the drinking games, but that is a great part of the Sevens too.”
Shaun added: “Hopefully it will be a great day and night too, and we will do Ben proud. I am really looking forward to it.”
