V Witney Longlevens
May 1968
Witney RFC
Sun 14 Sep 2025 th
Chairman’s Welcome
Good afternoon to everyone visiting Hailey Road today.
Our first team opposition, Longlevens RFC, travel down the A40 from Gloucester. We hope for another great game of rugby on a pitch that has a long history, in the sunshine!
The pitch I refer to holds some great memories for many people that have joined us this afternoon in another of our 60th anniversary celebration days, today celebrating all the explayers that were lucky enough to pull on the Black and Blue, welcome back everyone. For those that can’t be with us this afternoon, or who have already heard the final whistle of life, we will remember you all, with tales of fun and some of the best beer in Oxfordshire, cheers you good ol’ boys.
Our third team travel to Buckingham for what will be a tough encounter against second team opposition whilst the seconds get to support from the sidelines. Our academy team have their first game of the season, and so to everyone playing rugby this afternoon, enjoy all of it for playing is the greatest thing.
Andy Merriman Chairman Witney Rugby Football Club.
Jacob Holland
James Merriman*
Dan
Finn Ayris*
Matt Webb* (c)
Charlie Greenslade*
Callum Cope*
Gareth Jenkins*
Charlie Penton*
Charlie Dunbar*
Ollie Dawkins
Coaches:
Officials:
Aiden Spence
Liam Cook Reuben Owen*
Sam Turberville*
Connor Pummery*
Josh Rihan*
Callum Godfrey*
1st Things First!
Player Sponsors
Aden Spence Hare Studio
George Boswell WRFC Wizards Walking Rugby
Ailsa Shaw WRFC Wizards Walking Rugby
Angus Brown Fowler Hicks Landscaping
Callum Cope John Campbell Landscaping
Callum Godfrey Barry Bowles & Tony Maycock
Charlie Dunbar Oxon Fastening Systems
Dan Webb David Willis
Finn Ayris Haysham Electrical Services
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
2 Be or Not to Be
Witney Vipers 17 – 42 Grove
The sun shone, the crowd gathered, warmups complete, the game got underway. Whilst the Vipers looked threatening with ball in hand, Grove seemed to have put to bed whatever demons that had bothered them last season, and they already looked like a well drilled side. Early scrums were worrying with Witney being forced into scrappy reverse gear, the lineout was equally worrying early bells. The boys stuck at it and gained a sort of parity at the set piece as the game progressed. With ball in hand Witney always looked dangerous but suffered from some missed tackles in defence. Our points came from; Josh Rihan, Rory Atkins and Charlie Gardner with Ben Dunkley adding 2 points with the boot. Callum Cope was rightly named Man of the Match with a great performance for the whole 70 minutes. Yes, he spent 10 minutes in the bin for not rolling away but made up for it when he returned. Well done, Callum. JD also took a 10-minute breather, probably more deserved.
Today our Vipers’ game against Wheatley has been cancelled. That’s 2 in a row for the Wheatley boys, let’s hope they can pull it together soon, it’s never good to see a Club struggle.
Alfie
Jonjo
Who Shall We 3s Beat Again?
Stow-on-the-Wold II 87 – 10 Witney III
Ouch! A hard game on the road in Gloucestershire for our Barmy Army, and with only 2 on the bench it was always going to be a big ask. Tries came from Leon young and Jordan Brown and that’s about all we need to say about that. Adam Copperwheat did get a special coaches’ mention but it is probably best not repeated, and like the result, confined to the ‘we’ve had better days’ folder. Moving on….
This week we are on the road to Buckingham for a clash with their 2s. Recent results, it’s fair to say, have not gone our way, but 2 years ago, in this fixture, we lost out by one point, 18 v 17. Buckingham had a bye week last Saturday, let’s hope we catch them cold and get back to winning ways.
Owen
Academy The Future’s Bright!
After a very bright start to last season it trailed away with 3 losses in a row. That notwithstanding, the lads put in some great performances which they can hopefully build on this season.
It’s a big game on Sunday as the Team travel to Bracknell, but with a few names back from senior team service they should make a good account of themselves. Let’s hope they can start the season as they did last year put keep it going into 2026.
Player Sponsors
The Academy Partnership
Ollie Dawkins GMD Management Consultancy Ltd
Owen Fillary ADR Service and repairs
Reuben Owen Hyatt Financial Management LLP
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Marcus Reading Celestra
Mark Greenwood Ready Set Solar
Monty
Sadie Andrews Polythene Uk Ltd
Sam Winstone Mike Dunbar
Simon Copperwheat Oqema
Player Sponsors
Wilson
Harry Ward Countryfit
Harvey Wattleworth
Tom Wattleworth & Andy Bateman
Jacob Hayter White Brothers
Josh Rhian Adler & Allan
Josh Whitehead JS Motor Services
Leo Dolan Chris and Sam Hodges
Liam Cook J Brand
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Gareth Jenkins Matt Delnevo
Dan
Matt Delnevo
Player Sponsors
TBC Matthew Collins Furniture
Tilly Castle Tian Smith
Tom Gafney Ian Loughborough
William King Tetbury Accounting
Zach Way Pro Motion Sports Therapies
Will Phair Simon Copperwheat
Matt Webb Fairfax Estate Agents
Sam Turberville Pittaway Fencing
Charlie Greenslade Shandy & Jack Godfrey
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Witney Calling!
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
Saturday
4
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
October Chairman’s Lunch th
First Chairman’s Lunch of the season, which new Chairman Andy Merriman will host. First Team are at home to Cheltenham whilst our Vipers entertain Tadley.
Saturday 8 November Chairman’s Lunch th
Big game day, Witney host Thornbury which last season saw Captain Matt Webb score twice to secure the win. Oh and the England host Fiji, the game will be shown live in the Clubhouse.
September 2025. Gareth Lewis is attempting the 100 Push-Up daily challenge, in support of Cancer Research UK. Let’s get behind this stalwart, it’s a cause close to all our hearts, and Gareth continues to give so much to the Club we all love. Click Here TO SUPPORT HIM
TRAINING:
Senior Men
Tuesday and Thursday nights 7-8pm.
Angels Tuesday 7-8.30pm
Touch Thursday 6-7pm
Walking Thursday 7-8pm
Cherubs. Tuesday 6-7.30pm
M&Js Sunday Mornings 10-12
Academy Sunday 1pm
Smiths Concrete - Committed to caring
Calling all Golden Oldies? Veterans @ Hailey Road
Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to have: Served in the Trenches of WWI, or be over 60 with a pacemaker! Although being either of those does not preclude you from playing, we do ask for a letter from your parent.
SUPPORTING CHARITABLE CAUSES AND THEIR RETAIL STORES ACROSS THE UK
White Brothers supply charity shops across the country with new products ranging from socks and underwear to designer handbags and branded toys. Our customers range from large national charities to small regionally based organisations all supporting a wide variety of worthy charitable causes.
Angels Calling!
Still no Angels games just yet, but the Women’s World Cup is proving very exciting indeed. The Quarter Finals are upon us, here are the results from last week, how the groups finished up and this weekend’s fixtures. Good luck to all the home nations still involved, except Scotland of course!
Last week’s results:
Pool A
USA 60 : 0 Samoa
England 40 : 7 Australia
Pool B
Canada 40 : 19 Scotland
Wales 25 : 28 Fiji
1300 QF1
1600 QF2
NZ v SA
Canada v Australia
Sunday 14 September th
1300 QF3
1600 QF4
Sandy Park
Ashton Gate
France v Ireland Sandy Park
England v Scotland Ashton Gate
Fairfax & Co, A Trusted Estate Agent For Over 40 years.
Fairfax & Co are a long established independent estate agency, specialising in residential sales and lettings.
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: derrick.fox@witneyrugby.co.uk
