V North Dorset Witney
Chairman’s Welcome
Not really a welcome, more a hi, we’re on the road. The only senior game this weekend is our First Team travelling to North Dorset. Where, I hear you ask? Think A303 past Stonehenge and then south before Wincanton to Gillingham. Still confused, What3Words///salads.decisions.forgiving, lets hope for no salads, that the decisions go our way, and that the weather is forgiving.
What a great day we had last weekend celebrating 60 years and welcoming players of bygone years. Whilst the results didn’t quite go our way it was encouraging to see our Academy players putting in a hard shift, in front of an appreciative bunch of old guns, the future is indeed bright.
Finally, I just want to say a huge well done to one of Witney Rugby Club’s stalwarts. Gareth Lewis was Highly Commended at the Radio Oxford Make a Difference Awards 2025 for his work with our SEND Team, the Wolves. Well done Gareth, you’re a credit to the Black and Blue.
Andy Merriman Chairman Witney Rugby
Football Club.
Witney
1st Things First!
12 – 64 Longlevens
(HT 12-38)
Well, the home crowd turned out in force, bolstered by the `Old and Bold,’ great to see so many familiar faces turn out to support. Apologies we couldn’t get you the result you deserved. In the first half you could be forgiven for thinking we were the better side, just unlucky with the rub of the green. The second half however was a different story with Longlevens forcing home the advantage against a relatively inexperienced Witney side.
Scores came from Sam Turberville and Aden Spence, with Charlie Dunbar adding an extra 2 from the tee. Man of the Match was Aden Spence, an outstanding game at Centre. It was also Callum Cope’s First Team debut, who despite his size, really made his presence felt. It was also nice to see Callum Godfrey back in a Black and Blue shirt, welcome back.
This week sees us on the road to North Dorset for a bottom of the table clash with league newcomers. This is North Dorset’s second season at Tier 6 having survived Central London and South East last season?? Yes, it’s crazy but the RFU seem to be geographically challenged when it comes to deciding league participants, we know. Anyway, welcome to the South West. ND’s opening 2 games have been against league leaders Chippenham and Trowbridge, the outcome similar to our own so this would be a great game to win.
Marcus Reading*
James Merriman*
Connor Pummery*
Cameron Ayris*
Finn Ayris*
Will Phair*
Callum Cope*
Josh Rihan*
Charlie Penton*
Charlie Dunbar*
Reuben Owen*
Aden Spence
Callum Godfrey*
Jacob Hayter*
Sam Turberville*
Dan Webb*
Charlie Greenslade*
Mark Greenwood
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!
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Women’s World Cup:
New Zealand are the current holders of the Women’s Rugby World Cup; in fact they have won it 6 times and are going for their second triple win. USA won the inaugural trophy in 1991 and England are the only other side to win having done so twice in 1994 and 2014.
England have not lost a game since the dramatic loss to New Zealand, 12 November 2022 in Eden Park New Zealand. Up to that point England had enjoyed a 30-game win streak which was the world record prior to their current streak, 31 which came off the victory against Scotland last weekend.
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
2 Be or Not to Be
I Guess it’s Not To Be!
CANCELLED
Wheatley 1 XV v Witney Vipers st
No game for the Vipers and so it’s a long holiday for the boys in 2s. Next up is Tadley at Hailey Road on 4 October. That’s a big day for the Team and the Club. First Chairman’s lunch of the season, the First Team also at home and with the Barmy army 3 Team just across at Quins, it should be a great day in Black and Blue at the Club. th rd
Who Shall We 3s Beat Again?
Buckingham II 38 – 12 Witney III
Another game of 2 halves the first in which Buckingham not so much as won, but that we ceded, or handed 38 first half points. Considering this was their first game of the season they certainly didn’t look cold and took full advantage of our generosity.
We won the second half 0 : 12, but, considering our generosity in first 40 it wasn’t enough to even garner a bonus point. All our points came from Jake Edwards, crossing the line once and bagging a conversion, not a bad return from the bench. Man of the Match was Dan Wilson who battle hard throughout. Mark Greenwood also got a coaches mention but I will let him tell you what for.
Consistency over 80 minutes would make a huge difference to the results, that and being able to convert golden opportunities to points. I’m not saying we could have won this one, but it could have been a lot closer.
No game for the Threes this week, in fact they next see action on 4 October away at Oxford Harlequins, good luck next time out lads. th
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Player Sponsors
Yourfavourite WRFCplayer picturedhere
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
The Future is Bright!
Bracknell U18s Colts A 18 -
8 Witney Academy
Both teams knew it could’ve gone either way. We were unlucky with a few calls, including two disallowed tries, but still had enough territory and possession to win. We’ll improve. Better decision-making, more composure in the opposition 22, greater dominance at the breakdown, and fewer penalties will turn games like this in our favour.
Plenty of positives: the effort, especially in defence, was spot on.
Big hits from the first tackle (nice one, Basil). Some great hands too, and Ethan’s try came straight from the training ground.
Veo footage: https://app.veo.co/matches/20250914-bracknell-vwitney-academy-92516087/
Lots to work on, but plenty to be pleased with, and two weeks to put it right before Faringdon.
Scorers: Ethan (try), Ben (pen)
MOTM: Sam DOTD: Archie (shirt inside out- really?)
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
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
PROUD SPONSORS OF WITNEY RFC
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: derrick.fox@witneyrugby.co.uk
Still no Angels games just yet, but the Women’s World Cup is proving very exciting indeed. The semis beckon, and all four remaining teams know they have 2 more games in the competition, but only one will lift the silverware. Last week’s results:
Smiths Concrete - Committed to caring
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.
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.
