Saturday 15th February 2025 Com’on you Witney! 3pm KO
Huel Tring 2nd XV vs Witney 2nd XV Oxford Quins 3rd XV vs Witney 3rd XV 2.30pm KO 2.30pm KO
Today’s Match Ball Sponsor Ian Loughborough
After a weekend of inaction, the Hailey Main Pitch welcomes Trowbridge for a clash with our First Team. We hope you all enjoy the hospitality at Hailey Road and that we all enjoy a great game of rugby.
No 6 Nations this weekend as they take a break but plenty of rugby to follow with our 2s on the road to Huel Tring and our thirds taking a short jaunt to Oxford Harlequins. Good luck to all who don the Black and Blue this weekend.
One of the best parts of this role is saying thank you to those who make our great club great. Whilst it’s easy to look at players, coaches and bar staff as essential, which they are, we could not exist without a solid presence looking after the funds, balancing the books and securing great deals.
Andy Tacon has been looking after our accounts for as long as anyone can remember and has been central to saving the Club from high operating costs over the years. We owe you a huge debt of gratitude but let’s not dwell on our debts here. Thank you, AT, we owe you.
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Robert Fisk Chairman - Witney Rugby Football Club
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Come & Watch Rugby @Witney RFC!
Witney Calling!
Today sees our First Team welcome Trowbridge to Hailey Road. Last time out in November at Trowbridge the crowd were treated to a 12 try extravaganza, 6 each, with Witney falling behind because of too many missed conversions and poor defensive cohesion. Trowbridge are still sitting pretty in 3rd but our boys are hoping to continue in the winning vein we have seen for 2025, aiming for 5 from 6. Our Vipers travel to Tring for a battle royal with Huel Tring 2nd XV, whilst our 3rd XV cross Oxford for a tough challenge against Quins 3rd XV.
What a great weekend it was for 6 Nations rugby, unless you is Welsh of course! Don’t worry too much my Celtic Cousins, you still have England in Cardiff on the 15th of March. Alas in Rome it wasn’t to be, Italy secured their first win against Wales in Rome since 2007, and in doing so condemned Wales to their lowest ever world ranking of 12th, I doubt they will be leading calls for Georgia to be admitted. Ange Capuozzo gave Italy the lead which they never looked like surrendering, going in 16 : 3 at half time. Wales did manage a rally but despite Italy going down to 13 men couldn’t do more than secure a losing bonus point. Warren Gatland has fallen on his sword, but it’s just like that guy to forego his severance money, all hail Warren! All the low lights from the game available here
Witney Calling!
Next up England welcomed France to Twickenham, I know we’re supposed to call it the Allianz but please give me time to get used to that. A tense scrappy start with nothing to show but a few moments of brilliance in the first 20 minutes, but never rule this French side out. At 20 minutes the stadium came alive, for the French! All that was needed was for Antoine Dupont to collect a breadbasket pass and France would have been 7 up. What happened is worth watching in slowmo as I don’t think he has dropped anything like that, ever.
As if not to be out donkeyed, 2 minutes later Damian Penaud fumbled the ball with the England try line in sight. However, a try each meant the teams went in 7 : 7 at half time, but it is well worth watching Ollie Lawrence fend off Thomas Ramos for the England Centre’s score.
The second half began at a blistering pace which led to a number of penalties being awarded, unfortunately only France took advantage of them. Fin Smith combined with Saints teammate Tommy Freeman for England’s second try as Fin hoisted the ball into the French 22 and Freeman did the rest, 12 : 13. The lead was extended as the French wings combined to add another 5. With 10 minutes to go Marcus missed a sitter of a penalty, and so when England were given another 2 minutes later, Fin put the ball in the corner. Step up the other Fin, Mr Baxter, for England’s 3rd, duly converted by, yes you guessed it Fin (Smith), completing the Fin road show. 7 minutes to go 19 : 18.
Witney Calling!
With less than 3 minutes to go the French broke English hearts with a second try from Bielle-Biarrey which Ramos converted, 19 : 25 with 2 minutes to go. You could have been forgiven for walking towards the gate but our bench was stronger this day than last week, and Fin popped the ball to Elliot Daly who did what he does best scoring in front of the posts. Fin popped the conversion over and England enjoyed a post-match beer, unlike the French but that’s another story.
I didn’t see this one live as I was in Trowbridge but by all accounts, it was a bruising encounter. The highlights don’t really do that account justice, but what I did see was that in Sam Prendergast Ireland have another 10 who can boss a game, who needs Johnny Sexton? Ireland were in control for much of the game, but in brief moments of brilliance Scotland showed that they are a more than capable side, Ireland were just too powerful. It’s worth watching the highlights if only for Gibson-Parks cheeky up and over on the 58th minute to almost put Hugo Keenan in under the posts
Witney Calling!
Have you played rugby with one of these guys? Do you fondly remember your playing days, the physicality, the camaraderie, the antics on and off the pitch. Do you find yourself using the
Stop! Stop being an I used to be guy and rekindle your relationship with the game we love. Be the, ‘Yeh I still play’ guy and get yourself up to Hailey Road. You know you want to. #witneyrfc #welovewitney
We would love to know your opinions on the Club, 6 Nations, or anything else that concerns you about Witney, rugby or anything else of relevance. Why not message us at: feedback@witneyrugby.co.uk.
Witney Calling!
There are many new laws in play for this year’s 6 Nations; here’s a run down of what to expect:
60 second shot clock for conversions as well as penalties.
30 second set up time for lineouts to keep in line with scrums, this will be managed by on field officials.
Play on rule when an uncontested lineout is not thrown straight. Defenders penalised for making a tackle on a player if they are part of a maul or a ruck.
At scrums, the defending scrum half will not be able to advance beyond the centre line of the scrum.
We would love to know your opinions on these law changes, why not message us at: feedback@witneyrugby.co.uk.
We are fortunate to have a fabulous Minis & Juniors set up across all age groups and genders from 4+ to Academy level at 16-18yrs. The Academy have been filling senior positions all season and enjoying the challenge, it would be great to see even more youngsters enjoying Sunday mornings and regular fixtures so please spread the word.
Witney Calling!
Georgie’s fundraiser for RFU Injured Players Foundation
Banbury player John (JB) Baker sustained an injury during a VETS match at Banbury RFC against Witney RFC in November 2024.
Unfortunately JB has been left paralysed from the chest down losing function in both arms and legs. His Daughter Georgie has taken on the challenge to complete 12 hikes around the UK in 12 months, something which JB would be both immensely proud of and, also somewhat jealous. If you want to know more about the family, the challenge and donate then visit Georgie’s JustGiving page
Witney Calling!
I wanted to make you aware of a serious issue surrounding health, the subject is suicide. We rarely talk about it, which is one of the problems, there is a stigma attached to it. Before we look at how we can be better placed to help, here’s a few statistics:
Almost 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, nearly twice the number who die by homicide.
For every death by suicide, there are approx’ 20 suicide attempts made. Each death by suicide leaves behind a community of bereaved family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. For every death by suicide, at least 7 to 10 people are directly affected by the loss.
Research shows that mental illness is the most important risk factor for suicide. More than 90% of people who die by suicide struggle with their mental health and/or addiction. Researchers estimate that up to 60% of people who die by suicide have major depression.
In the UK suicide is the biggest killer of men aged under 50.
So, what can we do? I believe the first step is for as many people as possible to be made aware of the signs and behaviour which could indicate somebody is contemplating suicide. Fortunately, there is a free online training aid available, which I would encourage as many people as possible to participate in. It takes about 30-40 minutes and can be found Here & Here
In the meantime if anyone has any concerns then please feel free to reach out to Ian Loughborough at l8est55@gmail.com or on
Abandoned at 62 minutes. Our Threes welcomed to Oxford IIs to Hailey Road for what was expected to be a tough attritional encounter. Unfortunately, the attrition started before kick off with Oxford only able to muster 12 players. With the help of some Witney players, and uncontested scrums, the game went ahead. There was a full report in last week’s programme, a brief summary of which is that the game was abandoned at 62 minutes with Witney leading 22 : 7. What I can add is that the contested result now stands and Witney have the 5 points from the game. The truth will out.
This week sees our Threes pitted against another Oxford side travelling across the City to Horspath Road to face Quins Third XV. Quins sit in third place and it will be a big ask for our boys to upset the applecart, but they’re up for it.
Come on you Witney lads, let’s do the double over the city boys!
Oxford quins 3rd XV vs Witney 3rd XV 2.30 pm KO
The 5 pts from Oxford are in and we’re up to 6th!
Counties
3 Tribute Berks/Bucks & Oxon North
Veterans @ Hailey Road
lar belief, you to have: enches of WWI a pacemaker! g either of preclude you aying, a letter from rent.
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
KO TBC
Coventry Welsh ladies vs Witney Angels
Sun 2nd March 2025
KO TBC
Silhillians ladies vs Witney Angels
Sun 9th March 2025
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Old Northamptonians Ladies
Witney Academy
Let’s Get Back To Winning Ways!
Witney
Academy 7 – Harwell Colts 19
A much improved performance on the previous week, but a frustrating result last Sunday against league leaders Harwell. The desire was there, the organisation and execution much better than against Shipston, but again some poor discipline let us down.
Witney had plenty of possession in the final 3rd but were unable to convert pressure into points. Will Phair did cross the line in the 2nd half, but was adjudged, some might say harshly, to have been held up.
All in all an improvement, but still not the result we wanted, and we have no doubt the squad will be looking to right some of the wrongs and give a good account of themselves in the last league game of the season away to Banbury on 23rd February.
Witney Academy
Not all doom and gloom amongst our youth programme. Our U14s travelled to Swindon and put in an excellent performance running out 10 : 34 winners. Well done lads, the future’s bright, the futures Black and Blue!
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!
