Witney Angels XV VS Kenilworth Women 2nd XV 2:15pm KO
This is a difficult one to write, it is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of our long-term friend, player and servant of the Club, Andrew ‘AT’ Tacon, who passed away whilst skiing in Italy on 13th March.
A devoted family man and a cherished friend to many, Andrew was a dedicated member of Witney RFC, first as a player, and latterly for many years, as our Club Treasurer. He served with passion and commitment, but also with humour and knowledge, guiding the Club through the financial fog.
Andrew’s warmth and generosity touched the lives of so many, his contributions both on and off the field will never be forgotten and his legacy will live long in the hearts of those that had the privilege of knowing him.
We will miss him dearly, remember him fondly, and take some solace from the fact that he lived a life worth living. We also want to offer Rosie our heartfelt condolences and thanks, not only for supporting Andy, but also for her grace and understanding through recent events,
Thank you. AT, may you rest in peace.
There will be a one minute silence prior to this weekend’s home fixtures in respect of AT.
Bob Fisk - Chairman
£16 each
TheWitneystoreisatruecommunitystore, servingthevicinityforthepast40years. Stockingeverythingfromwinetowetwipes andbreadtobananas,CannonPool(asit's affectionatelyknown)isaonestopshopfor HaileyRoadandthesurroundingvillages. On Sale from
On this day in 1968, France retained the 5 Nations Championship with a 9:14 win over Wales at the Arms Park, giving France their first Grand Slam. Roll on 57 years and they were so close to gaining their 11th but for that great day at Twickenham.
At the other end of the awards, we have the ‘Wooden Spoon’ no names no pack drill, but why a wooden spoon? Theory is it stems from the awarding of a wooden spoon to the worst performing mathematics graduate at Cambridge University, how it morphed into the one prize no nation wants in rugby is a mystery.
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Charlie Bowyer
Dom Coe
Callum Godfrey
Ben Ling
WRFC Walking Rugby
Matthew Collins Furniture
Barry Bowles & Tony Maycock
Glenn Davies
James Merriman AK Timms
Jack Strong
Tom Gafney
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
Luke Manning Ashcroft
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!
Breakfast of Champions 8am. A chance to meet other like minded businesses and find out what is happening at the Club. Guest speaker Tug Wilson MBE, RFU Council Member and Director of Rugby UK Armed Forces.
Saturday 26th April
Witney Wolves SEND RFC are hosting the 2025 Katie Peel SEND Family Friendly Festival of Rugby.
Need to know more, contact Gareth Lewis at: 07531 820561
Saturday 2nd August 2025
2025 is the 60th anniversary of our wonderful Club. To mark the occassion we intend to have a festival Family picnic at Hailey Road. A game against Stow-on-th-Wold, with guest appearances from original players, fingers crossed. 3 bands playing live, bar open, prize for the best dressed picnic table. More details to follow:
Witney Calling!
Today our First team travel to Drybrook, whilst our Vipers are hosting Wheatley First XV here at Hailey Road. Welcome
Wheatley, we hope you have a great day and enjoy the hospitality here. Tomorrow our Angels welcome Kenilworth
Women’s 2nd XV, buoyed by their performance last time out, this should be a thriller.
We have two weekends of rugby to summarise in conclusion to one of the best 6 Nations in history, unless you is Welsh of course! But even our Welsh friends, seeing the shoots of recovery in some thrilling performances; for me their game against Scotland at Murrayfield and the second half against Ireland proves there is something there.
France sealed the win. After battering Ireland in Dublin everybody thought their hosting Scotland in Paris was a mere formality, not so. Scotland pushed them close and nearly went in ahead at half time but for the TMO to rule that Blair Kinghorn’s foot was in touch before he offloaded to Tom Jordon. The second half was more of the same, Scotland pressing hard but ultimately once France sniffed an advantage, they took it
Witney Calling!
England sealed second place after securing a close fought bonus point on a sunny afternoon in Twickenham against a very exciting Italian side, we faced the daunting task of travelling to Cardiff to face a Welsh team, resurgent?
Well definitely anxious to avoid la cuillère en bois, apologies, I was in France for the game. We needn’t have worried, England were awesome, Wales not so, the score, 14:68 marked Wales’s biggest defeat in Cardiff in Championship history and their biggest ever defeat to England. But, also last weekend, Wales U20s showed that there is a future having beaten England U20s 23:13 the previous night.
Ireland grabbed third place having suffered at home to France the previous week. Everybody thought their trip to Rome was a formality, everybody except the Azure who put up an amazing fight with 14 men for more than half of the game. It finished 17:22, a losing bonus point scant reward for what was an outstanding performance.
Scotland took 4th having survived a nail-biting game against Wales but ultimately came away empty handed from Paris.
Witney Calling!
Italy managed one win and one bonus point which, despite Wales’s 3 bonus points, kept them off the bottom. It was refreshing to see Italy perform so well in almost every game they played, certainly a long way from the Team most people would have been happy to see thrown out of the competition.
Wales, o’Wales, o’Wales! Hard to offer meaningful solace after that last game but, a couple of decisions going the other way, a bit of pressure in the Millenium Stadium and who knows. The coaching situation needs to be addressed but that is only part of the issue. Welsh Club and Regional Rugby needs to be reformed and I don’t know the answer. Certainly, playing for local teams needs to be made more attractive to the top players, it attracts more youngsters into the game. Good luck, the Championship needs some fire from the Dragon.
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
Probably Adam Copperwheat’s last home game as Head Coach.
Probably John Mason’s last Home Game as a leaping salmon!
Never say Never!
1st XV - South West Division
Regional 2 Tribute Severn League Table
Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering
2 Be or not 2 Be!
Chipping Norton XV 20 : 37 Witney 2nd
XV Vipers
Some people compare the Witney Vipers / Chipping Norton matches to a west country derby, Le Crunche, Arsenal v Spurs, England v Argentina (back in the day), Ell Classico or the Old Firm. But I’m here to tell you, it's much, much bigger! I am pleased to say that the black and blue flag is flying high and proud. The Vipers have stood tall and won both home and away this season and certainly have the bragging rights.
An away win, and try scoring bonus point all on steak night as well. Trys coming from Callum Godfrey, Ben McPherson, Dan Webb, Max Benson & Richard Craig. Mark Greenwood knocked over three conversions and two penalties!
A performance to be proud of by the lads. Special mentions go to Max Benson, Dan Webb and Adam Nobbs who were all outstanding!
This week sees the Vipers host Wheatley at Hailey Road. Wheatley sit just 3 places below us in the league and so it’s vital that our boys get a result to keep the pressure on Huel Tring with whom we share 4th spot, losing out at the moment on points difference. What a day to run up a huge score!
Witney Vipers XV vs Wheatley XV 3pm KO
2 Be or not 2 Be!
A great result followed by a great steak with a great team
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.
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
Sun 23rd March 2025
2:15 TBC
Witney Angels vs Kennilworth Women II
Sun 6th April 2025
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Oadby Wyggestonian Women
Sun 27th April 2025
KO TBC
Old Northamptoians Ladies vs Witney Angels
Want to try something new? Could you fly with the Angels? Get in touch; feedback@witneyrugby.co.uk.
Angels Calling!
Witney Angels 0 : 31 Old Northamptonians Ladies
This was a big match for all but especially so for Steph Harris celebrating her 100th run out as an Angel. The sun shone, the crowd gathered and the ladies played with heart and soul.
The game was tight, especially in the first 20 minutes where both sides had opportunities, with some excellent movement but more importantly some excellent defensive work. The opposition proved to be tough, but the Angels battled all the way and never surrendered, the score line could have been a lot worse but for the effort and commitment of the ladies.
Ella Scarffe once again demonstrated her flexibility, starting at Inside Centre, moving Outside prior to scrumming down at Tighthead, looking very comfortable no matter where she was asked to perform and as always put in one hell of a shift.
Lisa Craddock was awarded Forward of the Match, with Ella claiming the Back’s title, Ellen Raymond was awarded a well-deserved Overall Player of the Match. Well done Ladies, and we are looking forward to a great game on Sunday against Kenilworth. Fingers crossed the weather is kind to us.
Kenilworth Women sit just two places above us in the table but with 7 wins already have proved themselves a formidable side. Let’s get behind our Angels and cheer them on to greatness at Hailey Road.
Witney Angels XV vs Kenilworth Women 2nd XV
2.15 pm
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary!”
Women’s NC 2 Midlands (Central)
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 Wizards vs Witney Wolves
Yes the return match that everyone has been talking about, the old guard Wizards seeking revenge after being outplayed by our very own Wolves last time out.
The Wizards hoping to provide some magic to leave the Hailey Road faithful spellbound.
The Wolves, determined to show that their Bite is certainly worse than their bark, will be looking to make it three from three. Can they do it?
Why not pop up to Hailey Road and lend your support.
