Calne’s second team played their third game of the season against their counterparts from Bath Old Edwardians. Old Eds travelled to Calne with 14 men due to their 1XV having cup commitments, Calne duly responded by loaning a prop from the kick off. By the end for the game, a total of five Calne substitutes were playing for the Bath based team, creating a comical afternoon for all involved.

An almighty forward effort from Calne was not enough for Calne’s 2nd team to pick up their first victory, as the back division had an absolutely shocking afternoon. All of Old Ed’s points were collected in the first half and all were the result of errors made by the home teams the three quarters. Despite have a good mix of pace and experience, Calne had all sorts of problems moving the ball from the halfbacks through the centres to the wings. Dropped balls and weak passing seemed to be the order of the day and Old Eds wasted no time in picking up and capitalising on Calne scraps.

On the plus side, the pack was phenomenal. Flanker Rich Kearney was the star performer, his constant work rate and ball carrying ability was exceptional. Veteran Danny Hammond was also superb and Old Eds struggled to hold on to the big man. As a scrumaging unit, Calne were able to move Old Eds about and steal more than their fair share of ball, allowing the development of some good field positions. 19 year old prop Dave Holmes both scrumaged and carried well all afternoon and stand in Captain Jason Dolman was inspirational from the off with an almighty tackling display.

Facing a significant disadvantage of possession and territory, Old Eds tactics of brave counter attacking play at any opportunity was enough to give their forwards a break and pick up a good points haul through their own pacey back line. Old Eds created and worked the overlaps well and Calne were found wanting as little cover was available once the game line had been broken.

Two new recruits for Calne’s pack were also noteworthy. 2nd row Tim Hector, in only his 2nd ever game of Rugby, played as if he been brought through the club’s mini Section. And Back-rower, Nick Tomlin was probably the fittest player on the pitch, always getting to the breakdown first and causing havoc for his opposite number.

The back line did occasional click and when they did the talent was evident. Alan Henley made a welcome return to the club after a long injury lay off. He showed glimpse of his ability playing out of position in the outside centre berth. Winger Chris Edes also had a fine game. His chase and charge down nearly created a score, unfortunately the ball bobbled out of play.

The highlight of the day however was the appearance of club chairman Sean Lambourne. Lambourne was forced into early retirement due to a series of knee problems. Having regained a good level of fitness, Lambourne wanted a 10-minute run out to ‘retire’ having known he played his last game. However, an exceptionally long period of injury time meant the chairman had a full 20 minutes to endure. And endure he did with a few tackles and only being caught offside once.

Calne’s consolation try, late in the game, came from the opportunist Dolman. The skipper was cat like in his reactions as he pounced on a ball created from another impressive forward play.