Nov 22 3pm KO nd
Witney II v Chipping Norton
Witney RFC
Sat 22 Nov 2025
Sun 23 Nov 2025
Chairman’s Welcome
Two weeks ago, Hailey Road played host to two epic encounters — three, if you count my first Chairman’s Lunch in the chair! Our Barmy Army Threes got the day off to a flyer with a thumping 48–17 win over Bicester IIs; the sort of performance that almost makes you want to pull on the old boots again.
We were then treated to a right royal rugby tussle as our magnificent First XV dug deep to claim a hard-fought victory. After conceding two interception tries to visitors Thornbury, the outlook looked a little bleak, but the lads showed real character to claw their way back in front and hold firm at the 80. A full five-point haul in front of a fantastic home crowd; well done to all who pulled on the Black and Blue and made an old(ish) man very happy.
This week, our Vipers welcome Chipping Norton to Hailey Road, while the Threes play host to Banbury III. We hope all our visitors enjoy a cracking day of rugby and, of course, a well-earned beer or two in our brilliant clubhouse.
Andy Merriman Chairman Witney
Rugby Football Club.
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!
First Things First!
Witney 39 : 35 Thornbury
What a game, it had everything. Witney opened the scoring but soon fell behind courtesy of 2 interception tries, 21 : 7 down at half time and you could have been excused for thinking, oh dear, here we go again. Not today, the boys showed great strength of character and got them selves back into the game and the belief spread amongst the watching faithful. A nail biting final 10 saw Witney take the lead and see it home for the full 5 points. On Saturday our First Team are on the road to Bristol for a big game at Cleve. Cleve are riding high in 3 place with 7 from 8; their only loss coming from their game away to league leaders, Trowbridge. Why not get behind our boys and help them bring off a shock win against an inform Cleve.
Cleve v Witney 15:00 Come on you Black and Blues!
Will you join me in showing support for the defenders of Ukraine as they face yet another bitter winter in the trenches?
For soldiers in a war zone, even the smallest act of kindness can lift morale. It reminds them that the hardships they endure each day are not in vain — that people far away still care.
We are collecting shoebox-sized packages filled with simple items that we often take for granted, but which can make an enormous difference to someone holding a frozen trench line, especially at Christmas. These parcels are not only practical; they also let a soldier know that they are in someone’s thoughts, offering strength and comfort during the darkest nights.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at: ian.loughborough@witneyrugby.co.uk
"Slava
GREATDAY evenGREATerDAY
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Player Sponsors
Player Sponsors
THE VIPER’S BITe
Banbury II 36 : 17 Witney II
This was always going to be a big ask with Banbury riding high in the table, but the Vipers gave it a good go and produced some excellent rugby. Points came from; Try’s Charlie Dunbar x 2, Owen Fillary x 1 and a single conversion from Charlie Dunbar. 12 points from young Mr Dunbar, the future is bright, let’s hope he can do more of the same this weekend.
Today our Vipers welcome local rivals Chipping Norton who sit 3 places above us but with only 5 points the difference, this is an excellent opportunity to get level.
Come on you Black and Blues.
Sat 22 Nov 2025
Witney II v Chipping Norton
Player Sponsors
RUCKS, PINTS, REPEAT BARMY BY NATURE
Witney III 48 - 17 Bicester II
A new policy in selection to avoid the late drop outs saw us select 15 players and no subs. It worked no drop outs. New physio Hannah was instructed to fix any injuries and tell any down too long to man up and get up. This worked well too. Four first half tries got us an early bonus point. Wayne Caffekey asked for four more tries in the second half and four he got. A good 48 17 win. Tries Rhys Morgan 4, Wayne Caffekey 2, Jacob Smith & Dan Tyrell. Conversions Adam Copperwheat 3 & Chris Cope. Man of the Match Rhys Morgan. Tit of the Day Alex Bellinie for running the wrong way and throwing a pass out the back of his hand to nobody. So come on up to Hailey Road and get behind the boys in Black and Blue.
Witney III 2.30pm Banbury III
Player Sponsors
22 years ago today, England beat Australia 17 : 20, in Australia, to win the Webb Ellis World Cup, to this day the only Northern Hemisphere team to do so. The next World Cup will be held in 2027 , in Australia, could that be an omen?
France, the only other Northern hemisphere team to contest a final, came very close in 2011 losing 8 : 7 to New Zealand in Eden Park. A try apiece and a kick apiece, the only difference being NZ’s kick was a penalty, sooo close! Much better than the result of their first Cup final meeting back in 1987 , also in Eden Park, when NZ won 29 : 9.
On this day in 1963 US President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, possibly The most notorious political murder in recent history. Everyone says that they know where they were when he was shot, I don’t, but then I was 3 days away from my 3 birthday. rd
What’s Mr 100% Adam Copperwheat doing on the front page? You don’t need to ask, he’ll tell you.
Angels Calling!
Witney Angels Ladies 5 : 36 Andover Ladies
The result may not have been what the Angels had hoped for, but the match was a fantastic opportunity for our former Cherubs to taste full-on senior rugby — and they absolutely rose to the challenge. The Ladies were outstanding, battling for everything and showing that the future of the side is bright. Our try came from Lily Cope, a homegrown Cherubs talent — proof, if ever it were needed, that this pathway works. This is the future, people!
It’s also been brilliant to hear how many supporters have commented on the atmosphere at the Club when the Angels are playing. The place buzzes. We are tremendously proud of every one of our Angels.
There’s also some positive news on the horizon. A number of local clubs have been struggling to field Ladies teams consistently, which leads to cancelled fixtures, frustrated players, and ultimately fewer women turning up for games that may never happen. A sensible solution has emerged: two teams will, at least initially for one fixture, pool their players and take the field as one. Strange?
Not at all —
Witney’s senior men started in exactly this kind of cooperative, and look where we are now.
With that in mind, Witney Angels will be joining forces with Gosford
All Blacks Women, collaborating in training and fixtures with the goals of securing regular game time, strengthening both squads, and crucially, having fun. Let’s get behind the girls and show them that they have a home here at Hailey Road. The first of these joint fixtures will be away to Banbury Belles on 14th December.
NOVEMBER 2025
22 Vipers v Chipping Norton
Witney III v Banbury III
23 Academy v Oxford Quins Colts A1pm
29 Witney III v Chipping Norton II
Wizards v Fairford 1pm
DECEMBER 2025 13 Vipers v Didcot
Witney III v Oxford II 14 Academy v Shipston on Stour
Witney v North Dorset
Witney III v Gosford All Blacks
KOs 3pm unless otherwise annotated
Academy
The Future’s Bright!
Player Sponsors
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.
Player Sponsors
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
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
Nations’ Competition
Nations’ Competition
We are hoping that the tickets, including teh finals, come through the rfu and so watch out for release announcements!
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
