Witney Angels XV vs Coventry Welsh Ladies XV February
Sunday 23rd February 2025
Coventry Welsh Ladies vs Witney Angels
2 pm KO
Banbury Colts vs Witney 3rd XV
1 pm KO
No Black and Blue action at Hailey Road this weekend, but don’t be too disappointed, we still have plenty of rugby to tempt you, all the 6 Nations games being shown on the big screen in the Clubhouse. The bar will be open as will the hatch for snacks, why not come up and make a day of it.
This week we signed off on the installation of 52 solar panels on the Clubhouse roof, on time and on budget, just think what could be achieved if rugby clubs ran the country?
Having secured the grant from Oxfordshire County Council, I gathered a team of extremely professional people who did exactly what they said they could do, so a big thank you to the following: Barry Bowles for Project Management, Ryan Harris for the installation with ECO-Synergy OXON Ltd, Steed Gough and Silver Back Access and of course the ubiquitous Darren Webb.
We have installed solar panels to the roof to hopefully stop our energy bills going through it. A big thank you to all involved, all we must do now is pay for it, if anyone has any fund-raising ideas they would be gratefully received.
Click here for your 6 Nations Calendar
Robert Fisk Chairman - Witney Rugby
Football Club
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TheWitneystoreisatruecommunitystore, servingthevicinityforthepast40years. Stockingeverythingfromwinetowetwipes andbreadtobananas,CannonPool(asit's affectionatelyknown)isaonestopshopfor HaileyRoadandthesurroundingvillages. On Sale from
The Battle of Fishguard was a military invasion of Great Britain by France. The brief campaign, on 22–24 February 1797, is the most recent landing on mainland Britain by a hostile foreign force. The invasion force of 1,400 men were forced to surrender by less than 200 men and Welsh women dressed in traditional red shawls and tall black hats, whom it is thought the French believed to be regular line infantry. Be wary of Welsh women in hats!
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Come & Watch Rugby @Witney RFC!
Witney Calling!
Whilst we have no senior men’s teams in action this weekend our Angels travel to West Midlands to face Coventry Welsh Ladies tomorrow whilst the Academy boys make the short trip north to Banbury.
No 6 Nations games last week so nothing to report, however all the action from this weekend will be screened live in the Hailey Road Clubhouse, so why not get up here with a few pals and enjoy the games and a beer, or two.
Remember we are celebrating our 60th Anniversary this year.
We hope to have a number of events to commemorate this milestone in the Club’s history, please let any member of the committee know if you can help in any way, remember this is your Club. Thank you in anticipation.
6 Nations is Here!
Why not watch everything at Hailey Road, on the big screen in the best Sports bar in town, you know it makes sense! Round Three: Saturday 22nd February Wales vs Ireland
KO 2:15pm England vs Scotland KO 4:45pm Sunday 23rd February Italy vs France KO 3pm
Click here for your 6 Nations Calendar
6 Nations is Here!
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
Saturday 1st March 2025 1pm KO
Witney Wizards Vs Banbury Walkers
Forgetthe6Nations,therealactionstartshere asour walkingWizards host BanburyinawarmerbeforethethirdshostHarwell. Youknowit makes sense!
Witney First XV 27 : 50 Trowbridge First XV (HT: 17 : 26 )
We welcomed Trowbridge to Hailey Road and enjoyed a convivial exchange with the Trowbridge faithful who had made the journey northeast.
It was a great competitive battle from the outset but to go 0 : 19 down after 25 minutes was asking a lot, both of the lads on the pitch and the Witney faithful in the crowd, but everyone stuck in. The lads hit back with 3 tries of their own, Sam Turberville, Gareth Jenkins and Tom Gaffney crossing the line and Liam Cook bagging 1 from 3, and so the score stood 17 : 19 going into the final throws of the first half. Against the run of play Trowbridge hit a late score which was duly converted and Witney went into the break 17 : 26 adrift. Not too bad considering the start.
The second half began and the pressure from both sides did not let up. Trowbridge grabbed the first score but Witney responded with a converted try, the dab down from Marcus Reading and conversion and a penalty from Liam. 27 : 33 going into the last 20.
1st Things First!
And then it happened, Trowbridge found space where previously they’d found tacklers, two converted tries and a penalty in the last 15 minutes gave the score line an unhealthy look and did not reflect the performance on the pitch.
Well done Trowbridge competing for 80 minutes, well done Witney for staying with them for most of the game. The last 20 is normally the time zone we excel in and that will leave the coaches with something to think about going into this weekend’s game.
No game this week but a trip to Weston-Super-Mare awaits our return on 01st March.
1st XV - South West Division
Regional 2 Tribute Severn League Table
Moving on up with 4 from 5 in ‘25! (poetry) Click Here
Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering
2 Be or not 2 Be!
Huel Tring 5-34 Witney Vipers
(HT 5 : 10)
An inspired performance from the Vipers. A bonus point away win at Tring doesn’t come easy, in fact this was their most comprehensive home defeat this season, well done Vipers. The team showed great maturity and played the conditions perfectly.
Monty Hinge & Rory Atkins controlled the game very well. The pack gradually turned the screw and definitely got on top of the home team 8. I need to give a huge shout out to our Academy system, with us leading 10-5 at the half we changed to a youthful all Colts back row of Callum Cope, Owen Fillary & Charlie Greenslade. All were pure class!
Tries came from Rory Atkins, Josh Whitehead, Richie Craig, Jack Daubeney & Charlie Bowyer with Dom Coe nailing 3 conversions and a penalty.
2 Be or not 2 Be!
Huel Tring 5-34 Witney Vipers
(HT 5 : 10)
The praise didn’t just come from our own coaching staff, the Tring skipper noted, despite them being the older team out, the young witney lads showed great game management wisdom beyond their years! High praise indeed.
Young and old, side by side in triumph. Plus, a clean Rory Atkins with no legs!
Vipers get a well-earned break this weekend and next but need to stay in tune for their return to league rugby on the 8th March against Chippie away.
THREES A CROWD!
Oxford Quins 3rd XV 29 : 7 Witney 3rd XV
Our Threes travelled to Oxford Horspath Sports Ground to face a Quins side riding high in third. After an enforced delay whilst Quins searched for a match ball, the game got under way. Our Threes got off to an amazing start with a converted try, 0 : 7 up looking good. Wayne Caffekey the scorer with Coach Strutty bagging the conversion. Having dedicated half backs at any level would be seen as important, today it proved key as we struggled to maintain possession and gain territory.
With 22 players to our 17 Quins managed to maintain a momentum that we found it hard to match, and without the ability to kick for territory we were always going to be second best. Archie Owen got Man of the Match but where would we be without those special moments, one such one was when Declan decided to kick from the back of a 5m scrum only to drop the ball. Oh well, next time!
Next time is another week away with our 3s running out against Harwell at home on 01st March.
Two Big games left, Harwell and then, Stow both at home!
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!
Without any senior games this weekend the Academy should have a full complement, oh hang on, it’s Half Term so they are probably all skiing in the Alps. This is a big game; Banbury sit one place above us with just 2 points separating the two teams. We’ve not played Banbury this season, and as far as I can see they haven’t played since November last year so we have no form to go on. I think it is reasonable to assume that they will be up for the game and our boys will have their work cut out to get the result we need. We need all the boys pulling on the Black and Blue shirt to stand up and be counted. Come on you Witney Boys! Take it to them you Black and Blues! Banbury Colts XV vs Witney Academy XV KO 1pm TBC Come on you Witney Boys!
Witney Academy
Not all doom and gloom amongst our youth programme. Two weeks ago, 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!
