Woof ready for Sevens mission
May 2 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

A BUMPER turnout is expected at Paton Field tomorrow for the 66th Caldy Sevens.

Some 16 teams will battle it out for glory with the action getting underway from around 10.30am.

There will be an array of talent on show including Sale Jets, Glasgow Hawks, and an Army team made up of Fijians.

The local challenge will be led by New Brighton team Woodchurch Warriors, Anselmians, John Moore’s Old Boys and Birkenhead Park.

However, most of the home support will be behind the Ben Smith team who will be led by Caldy skipper Shaun Woof.

The 32-year-old centre first played in the event when he was 18 and has done so every year since to honour his old school friend.

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 (Caldy’s Academy manager) gets us shirts every year. It is one of the reasons why the Caldy Sevens means so much to me.”

Woof knows competition will be tough but has his sights set on the trophy.

“Each year we have reached the semi-finals at least but we have never gone all the way,” he said.

“That is something we want to do because the original members of the team don’t have too many years left, playing wise.

“We have teamed up with Caldy to bring in a few reinforcements and a few younger lads. We will be going all out to win this year.

“It will be difficult because Sale are always a top team, and the Fijians will be good too.

“Hopefully it will be a great day and night too, and we will do Ben proud.”

Wilson Grange Ltd are sponsoring the Caldy Sevens, along with today’s girls 10s competition.

Entry costs £7 for adults and £5 for concessions.

There are also Premier Red Band tickets costing £25 which includes access to all the games, as well as lunch and a pass to the private club marquee and bar.

Caldy Sevens Line-up: Sale Jets, Ben Smith, Glasgow Hawks, The Mercians (Army side), Leeds Griffins (university side of Leeds Academy players), JHQ Rhinos (Army team packed with Fijians), Fylde, Tui Rugby, Birkenhead Park, John Moore’s Old Boys, Manchester University, Anselmians, Northern Lions (Harrogate), Woodchurch Warriors (New Brighton), Chester, Glasgow High Kelvinside

This article was posted on 2-May-2009, 12:21 by Hugh Barrow.