Match Preview

A look ahead to Saturday's National One contest against newly-promoted Caldy RUFC.

Caldy RUFC were formed in 1924 when Calday School Old Boys set up a team. 93 years later and they are now are in their highest ever league position competing in National one. They were automatically promoted as champions of National 2 North on 133 points, 9 points clear of second place and losing only 2 games all season. Caldy play their home fixtures at Paton Field in Wirral.

Although this is Caldy’s first season in National One, Mowden have played Caldy on several occasions in National Two North. The season Mowden Park got promoted to National One from National Two North, at the end of the 2013/14 season. Mowden won convincingly at home 38-5 and then another win in a tighter affair on the road 19-5.

This season Caldy have started with 2 wins and 2 losses. They have seen a bonus point win over Fylde, 37-19 and an away trip to Loughborough students resulting in a 31-26 bonus point win. Their two losses have come against Cambridge last weekend at home and Bishop Stortford on the opening weekend of the season. Caldy are currently sitting in the top half of the table, in 7th position with 12 points.

National One as it Stands:

1 Darlington Mowden Park 20
2 Coventry 19
3 Plymouth Albion 17
4 Bishop`s Stortford 14
5 Blackheath 13
6 Ampthill & District 13
7 Caldy 12
8 Old Elthamians 11
9 Cambridge 10
10 Esher 10
11 Rosslyn Park 7
12 Birmingham Moseley 7
13 Old Albanian 7
14 Loughborough Students 5
15 Hull Ionians 1
16 Fylde 0

Mowden will look to keep up their positive start to the season this weekend, returning to the Arena in a 2pm KO. Don’t forget this weekend is the second opportunity to see two games for the price of one. The DMP Sharks are hunting for their first win of the season kicking off at 4pm against Wasps FC Ladies.