LIVERPOOL DAILY POST REPORTS

Caldy secure new players ahead of season’s start
Aug 6 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Daily Post

CALDY coach Matt Holt has snapped up a former England international and completed a triple swoop on rivals Waterloo as he looks to compile a squad capable of challenging for the National Two North title.

It’s been a summer of change at Paton Field with the club losing no fewer than 10 first team players due to retirement, work commitments and relocation.

Holt has moved quickly to fill the gaps with the most high profile new recruit being tight head prop Stuart Turner.

The Southport-born 37-year-old left Sale Sharks after eight years with the Premiership club.

Turner, who started his career at Waterloo, also played for Orrell, Worcester and Rotherham before winning three England caps while with Sale in 2007.

Holt said: “Stuart is now working for his family’s business in Liverpool but is very keen to remain involved in rugby in the North West.

“His Premiership and international experience will be a very significant asset for Caldy both at 1st XV level and throughout the club generally.

“He has already made a significant impression on pre-season training.”

Also among the new arrivals at Caldy are hooker Peter Ince, winger Neil Kerfoot and prop Liam McLoughlin after the trio quit rivals Waterloo.

Experienced second row Paul Arnold and stand-off Richard Vasey have signed from Moseley, while former Waterloo back-rower John Nugent has been snapped up after a spell in France.

Ex-Manchester second row Gareth Rawlings has signed after two years with Limoges in France and he has been joined at Caldy by his brother, England Counties centre Scott Rawlings,who was at Manchester last year.

Caldy have lost the services of scrum half Sam Cottrell to Wharfedale, but he recommended the club to young hookers Tom Greensmith (Otley) and Sean Strudwick (Wasps Academy), who have subsequently made the move to Merseyside. Other new recruits include Craig Smithson from Macclesfield, tight head prop Jack Collister from Hoylake and pacy winger Jonathan Fuller from Mold.

Holt said: “When you lose such strong and experienced players as second rowers Paul White and Richard Bradshaw who have both retired from first team rugby, and back row players Sam Dickinson, who is attending trials at Rotherham, and Matt Lamming, who is studying at Loughborough, it is bound to have a real impact on the team.

“However, we are very fortunate that Caldy’s strong position in North West rugby has enabled us to attract some new high quality players who were either based locally or who have moved into the area. I believe these new players will help us to be competitive this coming season. Everyone’s attitude has been spot on since the start of pre season training and we have a committed and ambitious group of players.

“Our pre season games against Glasgow Hawks on August 22 and London Scottish on August 29 will give us early pointers to our preparation for the new season.

This article was posted on 6-Aug-2009, 12:13 by Hugh Barrow.