That's noble, Dave, I've got to hand it to you - although as merlin responded to the "elbow" bit, I suppose the two of you should take joint responsibility...

Another humerus comment from BoP.



(I was thinking of leaving this entry completely empty - why?)

I knew someone would get it.

Well, it's no longer valid now, mate  

My, don't posts fly when you are having fun?

SIMON MASON: I don't know if you remember Simon from the game last year; he was the place kicker. He broke his left leg on Saturday - tib & fib playing for the second team. He has had it operated on - presumably pinned or plated.

Tib and Fib in one go, that takes dedication or a really serious clattering. How exactly did this unfortunate event occur?  It's always sad to hear of a sportsman suffering such a bad injury.  Dave, please pass on the best wishes of the Boarding Party for a full recovery.

I don't know how it happened. I was playing at Sefton and only got to hear when I got back.

I shall pass your best wishes on, thanks.  

--Last edited by DaveH on 2008-04-08 11:59:01 --

Received this e-mail today:

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,

This morning you may or may not have heard of the unfortunate accident to Simon Mason during The Caldy Lions game against Lymm on Saturday.

Simon suffered a double fracture of the tibia and fibula bones of his left leg and as a consequence consultant orthopaedic surgeons at Arrowe Park Hospital operated to correct the problem on Sunday morning.

I visited Simon yesterday. He is comfortable and Doctors expect him to be in Hospital, Ward 26, for 2 to 3 days.

I know we all wish Simon a speedy recovery and I have assured him of any assistance we at Caldy can offer him and his family.

I will of course, keep you posted on any developments.

Tony Atherton

Simon was out on his two pins the very next week, to take his place in the post-match team photo.

Was it a good Caldy 7's at the weekend Dave?.I am assumming you went!.

I did go - and took 700 photos! The jury is out as to whether it was a good day or not. We can not recapture the halcyon days of the early 90s, when Western Samoa, Fiji, and clubs like Bristol and Sale all sent their first team. Fiji, the winners, had Wasili Serevi, and Bristol , the beaten finalists had Ralph Knibbs, Derek Eaves and Paul Hull.

However there is a trend towards corporate entertaining. Without one of the three types of wrist-band spectators could not get an alcoholic drink. I just regret the fact that things are being taken further away from the ordinary person.

One good thing was that we were presented a defibrillator by John Hodgkinson (played for Caldy 73-76). His son died last year while playing for a forces team - having suffered a cardiac arrest. Had there been a defibrillator to hand, his life may well have been saved.


from the left Stephen Hesford MP, John, Andy Blackstock (Caldy President), Mike Lord (President Cheshire RFU).


Every club should have one.

Regarding the wristband,was there not a bit of a scuffle last year in the beer tent and that's why they thought it would be better policed with a "band".

Certainly most of the people there this year were actually watching the rugby.

I was there when Craig died, a truly terrible night.  So pleased his father has ploughed his energy into such a positive move.

Hope, that is a surprise - that you were there. The plate competition is for the Craig Hodgkinson bowl, if that makes sense.  

--Last edited by DaveH on 2008-05-09 23:25:44 --

Maybe he got a leg in front after all

Caldy lost to Waterloo yesterday by four tries to three. I think the score was 28-19, but maybe it wasn't.

'Loo looked a better outfit than Blaydon the previous week. Had Caldy got a third try in the first half, and not given such a soft try away near the end of the half, the score would have been reversed. But they didn't and it wasn't.

I took loads of photos, but those of the game will be of no interest to you. Anyone fancy a drink though?


imageshack seems to be working again now.  

--Last edited by DaveH on 2008-08-31 21:48:29 --

Are Caldy a stronger outfit this year than last DaveH?

Yes, but at the moment we have Gavin Roberts (collar bone), Sam Dickinson (hamstring) Paul White (hamstring) and Richard Bradshaw (hernia operation) probably all out for a few weeks. The Duke (Paul) and Longshanks (Richard) form the first choice 2nd row. Sam is definitely first choice back-row, and Gavin is also a first choice player,  full back, centre or wing.

Simon Mason has gone back to Anselmians, and Matt Holt is only coaching now.

Imports have been: firstly some good colts have moved up to senior rugby. Four senior playershave come from West Park - Full back, wing and second row. The other is a tight head prop of some pedigree. Also the current Cheshire captain, who plays anywhere in the back row.  

--Last edited by DaveH on 2008-08-31 21:55:16 --