Sunday 3rd November, 2pm KO North Hinskey Park, Oxford
Welcome to Hailey Road on a bit of a strange weekend for us, no senior men’s teams playing on our hallowed turf! Even worse as I write this, we hear that our 2s and 3s County Cup games are cancelled. It looks like we could have a very good crowd in the Clubhouse for the England v New Zealand game, Kick Off 15:10, we will hopefully have some Wolves present to do their response to the Haka.
What we do have is our very senior seniors in action; The Wizards are off up to Banbury Friday evening. The Wizards are our walking rugby team, which is becoming more and more popular, particularly amongst older members who want to recreate great memories of playing days. It all began when Derrick Fox, an old rugby fan,or just plain old as he celebrates 70 years tomorrow, came in and asked me if Witney has a walking rugby team? My response, ‘we will have if you start one,’ was met with enthusiasm and here we are less than 3 years later with over 30 members all enjoying the latest variation of the great game. Thank you, Derrick and Gareth Lewis, who took up the mantle of senior coach, very much appreciated. Oh and a very happy birthday Derrick.
On Sunday our attention moves to the other end of the age spectrum as our Academy travel to Oxford for a ‘friendly’. Good luck to all the boys, young and old, who don the Black and Blue.
Robert Fisk Chairman - Witney Rugby Football Club
In 1605, Guy Fawkes and other conspirators planned to blow up Parliament and King James I with 36 barrels of gunpowder. Fawkes was tortured on the rack before being tried for high treason in January 1606. He was found guilty and sentenced to execution by hanging, drawing, and quartering, but his neck was broken after he jumped or fell from the gallows ladder, thus evading the full punishment.
You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day.
RFU South West’s Tribute Team of
the Month for Oxfordshire Witney RFC 2nd XV
Player Sponsors
Want to do more for your Club? Why not sponsor a player? Packages start at £190+VAT
Get your name in the match programme, but more importantly you are helping develop WRFC players!
Charlie Bowyer
Dom Coe
Callum Godfrey
WRFC Walking Rugby
Matthew Collins Furniture
Barry Bowles & Tony Maycock
Ben Ling Glenn Davies
James Merriman
Jack Strong
Tom Gafney
AK Timms
Jason Strong Builders
Ian Loughborough
Marcus Reading Celestra
Cameron Ayris
Angus Brown
Keir MacDougall
Milfield Contractors Ltd
Fowler Hicks Landscaping
Gareth Lewis
Harvey Wattleworth TW Fitness
Jasper Nixey
Jack Daubney
Ollie Dawkins
Haydn Clarke
Rowles Roofing
Chris Delaney
GMD Consultants
Ready Set Solar
Connor Pummery Drive Engagement
A massive thank you to
Player Sponsors
Want to do more for your Club? Why not sponsor a player? Packages start at £190+VAT
Get your name in the match programme, but more importantly you are helping develop WRFC players!
Ollie Toner Drive Engagement
Dan Webb David Willis
Matt Webb Shaw & Co Solicitors
Sam Winstone Mike Dunbar
Callum Cope
JC Landscaping
Gareth Jenkins Matt Delnevo
Daniel Wilson Matt Delnevo
Harry Ward WRFC Walking Rugby
Josh Whitehead J S Motors
Liam Cook J Brand
John Mason Blanketmen
Mark Roberts Pole Position Scaffolding
Finn Ayris
Carl Campbell
William King
Rees Wilson
Owen Fillary
Rhys Morgan
Josh Rhian
Haysham Electrical Contractors
Helen Phillips
Tetbury Accounting
Andy Billington
ADR Services
Hyatt Financial
Adler & Allan
A massive thank you to all our
Come & Watch Rugby @Witney RFC!
CANCELLED
Witney Calling!
Last Saturday our 1sts entertained Keynsham at Hailey Road, the first time
I believe that the two clubs have met. Keynsham took advantage early on of some sloppy Witney defence scoring a try out wide, Witney were lucky not to concede the further 2 points as the kick drifted just wide, 0 : 5.
This was one of THOSE! games. I cannot say that Keynsham won it, rather that Witney did everything in their power to lose it. Early signs that Keynsham were to dominate the set piece were dispelled as the Witney pack pulled themselves together to gain parity. The line out, whilst not operating cleanly did provide some good ball, but it was with ball in hand that we proved weak. Some great lines and movement lost by inaccurate passing led to easy scores for Keynsham and missed opportunities for Witney.
It took until the 34’ for Witney to get the points that their possession deserved, Rhys Morgan finishing off some excellent work and Dom Coe adding the extras, 7 : 5. The lead didn’t last long as Keynsham hit back within 2 minutes to bring the score to 7 : 10. And that’s how it stayed until half time. The second half continued as the first finished this time Witney gifting Keynsham two tries through sloppy handling, both converted, 7 : 24, a try bonus earned with 20 minutes to play. Witney’s response was immediate with a try from Mark Roberts dutifully converted by Dom Coe. 14 : 24.
Witney Calling!
Witney were now properly dominant but despite battering away at the Keynsham line it wasn’t until the 76’ minute that James Merrimen went over, 19 : 24 and two minutes to play. That is how it stayed, a home losing bonus point scant reward for all the hard work but probably a deserved result given the ease at which we surrendered possession.
The seconds travelled to Faringdon for what was expected to be a hardfought close encounter. That didn’t quite turn out that way and the 2s ran riot winning 8 : 48 and grabbing 8 tries. Scores came from; Owen Pratt, Ollie Toner, Dan Webb, Nick Dawkins (2), Tristan George, Josh Whitehead and Ben Dunkley. Conversions came from; Rory Atkins, Ollie Dawkins (2) and keeping it in the family one from Nick Dawkins. Cam Ayris earned a well-deserved man of the match for powerful running, huge tackles and generally making a nuisance of himself, well done Cam!
A sad day for Witney RFC as we say so long to Charlie Bowyer who is heading back West after a good few years running out in Black and Blue. We wish you every success Charlie and just want to let you know if you get bored with pasties and clotted cream, there will always be a shirt waiting for you at Hailey Road, so long as you haven’t overdone it with them pasties and cream.
Witney Calling!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!
Saturday 02nd November. England take on thE All Blacks at Allianz Twickenham in the first of the Autumn Internationals. The Club House will be open form 2pm, come along and support Club and Country.
Wednesday 20th November 2024, RAF v Army. Witney RFC host the RAF U23 side as they take on the Army U23s. Always a hard-fought game and well worth a visit to Hailey Road to see the best of the youth our Services have to offer. That night will see our newly completed BBQ area supplying fine local produce to all comers, at very reasonable prices.
Friday 22nd November, Race Night. Our U16s are hosting a race night at the Club in order to raise funds. Always a fun night, great laugh, and a great way to raise funds. Remember, gamble responsibly!
Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering
Witney RFC Walking Rugby.
The Witney Wizards is a group of older players, some with no previous rugby playing experience, all with one aim, to enjoy some fitness in a happy, social environment.
We train once a week on Thursday evenings. Skills sessions, tactics, and competitive games, followed by a Supper Club and a social drink in our Hailey Road Clubhouse. The Wizards welcome people of all ages and backgrounds; we do have female players but could always do with more.
The Wizards have played competitive matches at home and away, always draws a big crowd and above all else, is always fun. Think this is for you, why not come along and give it a Try!
Contact: Derrick Fox on 07922 626332
Email witneyrfc@btinternet.com
Witney Can Do Magic! And We Can
Do Sober!
A big thumbs up to long term Witney Rugby Club Member, Wizard coach and general good egg, Gareth Lewis. Sober October is not something you would naturally associate with rugby players, I tried it, it was the worst 2 hours of my life. Not only did Gareth smash it, he has raised £578.75 for MacMillan Cancer Support. Well done Buddy, save your first November pint until after the final whistle in tonight’s Banbury game.
You can still donate at: DONATE NOW!
www.blue-seal.co.uk
www.drive-engagement.uk
Calling all Golden Oldies?
Veterans @ Hailey Road
y to poular belief, you do not have to have: d in the Trenches of WWI er 60 with a pacemaker! though being either of not preclude you from playing, or a letter from your parent.
The Reality is:
You have to be over 35 years old and have been a member of Witney RFC for at least 4 weeks before match day. Sound like this could be for you? Why not come along to Club training nights; Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If you need to ease back in gently, we have Walking and Touch Rugby on Thursday evenings.
Contact Simon Copperwheat on: 07904 360561
Witney Vets Fixtures
Witney Vets vs Banbury Vets
Wed 13th November, KO 18:30, Away
Witney Vets vs Gosford All Blacks
Wed 4th December, KO 18:30, Hailey Road
Saturday 02nd November
16th November
24th November
The Danish Wardrobe Company first opened its doors in Cirencester in August 2006 as a franchise store and has been recognized as being a breath of fresh air with its ability to offer interesting pieces from Denmark and Scandinavia. Since then, we have become a multi-brand retailer and have extended our product mix to offer a more diverse range of womenswear as well as footwear, accessories and beautiful things for your home!
Want a ticket for Twickenham?
Watch England take on the best of the Northern Hemisphere in the 2025 6 Nations. Witney RFC have secured a limited number of tickets which are now available to Club Members. Games are detailed below with prices:
Saturday 08th February
England vs France £149 KO 16:45
Limited Availability
Saturday 22nd February
England vs Scotland £149 KO 16:45
Sunday 9th March
England vs Italy £119 KO 15:00
Priority will be given to long serving Club members but requests will be logged on a first come first basis. Contact tickets@witneyrugby.co.uk
I sit and wait, Does an Angel contemplate my fate?
To book a table or individual places please contact WRFC Chairman, Bob Fisk. email: robertfisk@btinternet.com
Sponsors: All sponsors are welcome to attend, Some sponsorship packages include chairman’s lunch, otherwise charges apply VP’s, Club Members & Guests: All welcome, price per lunch may vary between £30-35 per head
