MATCH DAY
Oct 11th KO 3pm
Witney RFC
Sat 11 Oct 2025 th
Chairman’s Welcome
Dob in Dabber !
Dabber Willis has taken up hiding in the programme. All you have to do is find him and win a pint. Dob in Dabber at the Bar on match day, and if you’re the first to do so, you win a pint of ale or a glass of wine. Cheers Dabber!
1st Things First!
Witney 30 : 17 Cheltenham
What a game, what a result. The weather was kind, staying dry if not a bit windy, but that didn’t affect Witney’s control of the game, dominating throughout. Scores came from; Finn Ayris ×2, really making his presence felt, Callum Godfrey, Josh Rihan, Jacob Hayter and Reuben Owen who was also named Man of the Match, ever a thorn in Cheltenham’s side.
Keynsham v Witney
Back to the A4 west of Bath this weekend as we look to continue positively against Keynsham, let’s hope we don’t need our swimming trunks this time. Keynsham have started reasonably well with 2 wins and 4 bonus points leaving them fair and square in the middle of the table. Our lads will have to assert the type of control we demonstrated against Cheltenham and for a full 80 minutes if we are to bring anything back home. Moving on up! Come on you Black and Blues!
GREATDAY
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Player Sponsors
Player Sponsors
2 Be or not 2 Be!
Witney Vipers 18 : 28 Tadley
We welcomed Tadley to Hailey Road along with Stefan Voloseniuc, Ben Englefield & Scott Oliver-Munt, from SF Stefan our 2 Team sponsors. They seemed to enjoy the Chairman’s lunch and were somewhat more successful in the raffle than our Vipers were on the pitch.
A brave battle in challenging conditions, but unfortunately our boys went down to a well drilled Tadley. Our points came from Rory Atkins and Sam Winstone with a try apiece. 1 conversion and 2 pens from the boot of Charlie Dunbar. Well done Vipers, not the result we were looking for but, a big effort.
Newbury II v Witney Vipers 2.30pm
Newbury sit at the bottom of the table not having gained a point. To be fair, the two sides they have played thus far sit top of the table in Hungerford and Chipping Norton, their game against Banbury was forfeit for not putting out a team, so I don’t think we have much to measure them against. I am certain they will be just as eager as we are to get their season going.
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Who Shall We 3s Beat Again?
Who Shall We 3s Beat Again?
Harwell up next, and we extend a special welcome to Doug Bosley who lost his wife Jenny, a long time Harwell Club Member but also a leading light in Oxfordshire Rugby. Our thoughts are with you at this time. Harwell sit one place above us in the league having achieved a try bonus point away to Chipping Norton, that means they travel well, let’s hope we can keep enough players on the pitch for 80 minutes.
Witney v Harwell
3pm
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Academy The Future’s Bright!
Another great win for the Academy, this time in Round 1 of the National Cup at home to Cirencester Colts. A typical up and down cup tie which went right down to the wire, Witney only coming out on top with the final kick of the game.
First half tries from MOM Jacob Hanson, Captain Leon Young and Baby Tian just before half time gave Witney a 17-14 lead at the break. Despite a try from George Boz after the break, we let Cirencester back into the game through a try and penalty for 22:22. WItney were then awarded a penalty on Cirencester's 22 . . .step forward
Ben Dilks to kick the 3 points and hand us a last gasp win.
The boy has ice in his veins!
A return to league action this weekend at home to Amersham and Chiltern. If you want to see into the future, it will be there on pitch 1 at 1pm Sunday.
MOM: Jacob Hanson
DOTD: George Boswell ("pins and needles" from his first tackle, two high tackles and getting ended by their full back).
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When the Grim Reaper calls, tell him ‘not today, thank you!’
Witney Wizards v Didcot
KO 1pm
First competitive game of the season for our seasoned walkers, yes, no typo there. Itching to get the campaign started, although that may just be the impetigo, our aging superstars welcome Didcot to Hailey Road for the most local of local derbies.
A great deal of work has gone in during the summer to keep these fine specimens in peak condition ready for this day, let’s hope we don’t lose too many during the walk from the changing room to the pitch.
Have fun guys and girls, and remember, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings, and we ain’t got no fat ladies.
Witney Calling!
There are new global law trials implemented for the 2025/26 season. These include banning the "crocodile roll" at rucks to enhance safety, players in offside positions after a kick, a time limit for players contesting a lineout, and the removal of a scrum option for free kicks, Additionally, the 20-minute red card for technical offences is moving to a global trial, and there's a new law "protecting the 9" to prevent players from being played at the base of scrums and rucks.
More details on the Rugby Laws can be found Here
Whilst we are on the subject of the laws of the game, we feel duty bound to remind you of the terrific support we get from the guys in the middle, the Referees. These men and women give up their time to officiate and make the games possible. They cannot possibly see everything and whilst we support with line runners, they cannot help with the real time decision making required. They don’t have two officials running the line and a 4 TMO with video playback so cut them some slack. th Mistakes will be made, offences go unseen, and sometimes it can appear from the sidelines that we are getting a hard deal. By all means voice your support for our wonderful teams, but abuse of the officials will not be tolerated from players, coaches, supporters or Club members. Let’s keep it good natured, enjoy the game and make the officials want to visit Hailey Road.
Angels Calling!
Whilst we waited with bated breath for the start of the season for our Angels, especially following the success of the Red Roses, a difficult but sensible decision was made and the Angels withdrew from their league. This wasn’t an easy decision to reach, with a strong core of players ready to do battle, the overall numbers didn’t add up and week in week out the Angels would have struggled to field a full 15. That would have put an uneven slant on the league and so the decision was made to concentrate on building resources.
The Cherub feeder is already bringing positive results with 3 girls coming through the programme who should be ready to play adult rugby next month. This will of course help, but more is needed to recruit and retain players willing to don the Black and Blue and call themselves Angels.
Spread the word, all ages and abilities welcome, the Angels are a fantastic group and it would be brilliant to see them this season fielding strong sides for the friendly fixtures they hope to play.
First up, fingers crossed, 19 October away to Didcot Ladies, let’s get behind the girls and let them know we’re with them all the way.
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What’s On @ Hailey Road!
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
Thursday 13 November. Breakfast of
Champions th
Why not join us at our Hailey Road Clubhouse and mingle with like minded businesses and rugby club members. Chat from a special guest. Tickets £10 per person. free entry to Witney RFC Sponsors.
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
How would you like 10% off everything you buy over the bar? With a WRFC Members Discount Card that’s exactly what you get. 10% off all your beers, teas, coffees, sandwiches etc. For a small anual fee, currently £25, you get a year’s worth of discounted products. That’s approximately 50p a week, so one pint of lager a week and you have made your money back, 2 pints and your saving at a level appreciated by Yorkshiremen.
To qualify for the card you need to be a signed up member of the Club.
Interested? email me or speak to any of the marvellous bar staff. ian.loughborough@witneyrugby.co.uk
Twickenham tickets available for England’s home fixtures in the 2026 6 Nations. If you are a sponsor, player or Club Member then you can obtain tickets for the Home of rugby at face value by contacting Ian @ ian.loughborough@witneyrugby.co.uk
Saturday 7 February England v Wales 4.40 pm th £152
Saturday 21 February England v Ireland 2.10 pm st £152
Limited availability so get your Bid in now. Tickets will be allocated once all of the sponsors have submitted their requirements
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 night; 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
