Caldy Sevens: Why the Ben Smith team will always play


By Neil Macdonald »

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."

Caldy Sevens factfile * This year will be the 66th Caldy Sevens competition.

* Teams playing include Sale Jets, Glasgow Hawks, and an Army team made up of Fijians * It is played at Paton Field – possibly the only rugby union ground listed by the National Trust. The ground is looked after by Caldy's Last of the Summer Wine Brigade.

* To find out more about the Caldy Sevens, including how to buy tickets, visit http://caldysevens.net

This article was originally posted on 29-Apr-2009, 12:23 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 29-Apr-2009, 19:26.