Nov 29 3pm KO th
Witney RFC
Chippie II
Witney RFC
Sat 29 Nov 2025 th
Witney Wizards
KO 2 pm
Fairford
Sun 30 Nov 2025 th
KO 1 pm
Newbury
Chairman’s Welcome
Tomorrow is St Andrews Day, patron saint of Scotland, so a big hello to all our Scottish members who make Witney their home because Scotland is much colder and a lot wetter. So, don your Tartan, eat your battered Mars Bars and sing about sending Edward’s Army hame again. Remember, Haggis hunting season doesn’t officially start until January 2 , it used to be January 1 but everyone was so drunk from Hogmanay celebrations that for elf & safety reasons they moved it back a day. nd st
Today we welcome league leaders Trowbridge to Hailey Road, let’s hope we start a little better than we did last season gifting them an early 19-point lead. Regardless, we hope that all who have made the journey up from the Wiltshire Capital enjoy a great day at our Club.
A little reminder to Club Members and players who have yet to pay their annual subs. The Club relies on the money generated through subscriptions, it is one of our major funding sources and enables us to retain the standing as a private members club and the benefits thereof. We also have a members’ card available which gives the card holder 10% off all food & drink purchased over the bar. At £25 per person per season members can quickly start benefitting from owning a card, please ask at the bar for details.
Above all else today, enjoy the game, enjoy the Club house and smile.
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!
This IS Rugby!
Thank you to all Witney members who contributed Christmas parcels for troops on the front line in Ukraine. Having been away myself on operations over the festive season it is always reassuring to know that people are thinking of you, and to receive an unexpected parcel, with supportive words from a previously anonymous source is extremely uplifting. So thank you Witney Rugby Club for your contributions. The collection of packages, organised by Brenda Gratwicke of the Shipton Hub is quite an operation and each small contribution makes a huge difference
"Slava Ukraini!"
This IS Rugby!
Twickenham Day Out
Thanks to the RFU for their committment to rugby for all, Witney RFC managed to secure 12 seats for each of the Fiji and Argentina England home games, free of charge for Wheelchair, ambulant and carers. This enabled members of Oxfordshire Wolves and the wider SEND community to access the home of rugby. In addition pupils and carers from Springfield school in Witney h day at
GREATDAY evenGREATerDAY
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Player Sponsors
Player Sponsors
THE VIPER’S BITe
Witney II 12 : 21 Chipping Norton
Whilst the Chippie faithful who turned up in numbers may not agree, our Vipers lost this game rather than Chippie winning it. Some great rugby played by both sides but with our IIs just trying too hard, forcing the pass when taking the contact was probably the best option, and gifting possession to a very grateful visitor. Today our Vipers are on the road to Hungerford who sit just above us in the league but with a game in hand. 3 wins so far this season coming at home to Newbury and Abingdon and a walkover against Wheatley as they failed to put out a team. So very similar to our Vipers so far. No game to reference from last season as Hungerford were playing in Counties South, let’s make sure we break the deadlock between the two teams and in our favour.
Come on you Black and Blues!
Hungerford v Witney II
Player Sponsors
Player Sponsors
RUCKS, PINTS, REPEAT
BARMY BY NATURE
RUCKS, PINTS, REPEAT
BARMY BY NATURE
Tomorrow, November 30 , is Saint Andrews Day, patron saint of Scotland. Andrew, brother of St Peter who is regarded as the Father of the Catholic Church, which makes Andrew more like an uncle. You know the one, he gives the kids too many sweets and teaches them how to eat worms.
Andrew was crucified in Patras around 60ADreportedly on an ‘X’ shaped cross as he said he was not worthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus, hence the white cross, the saltire, being the symbol on the Scottish flag.
Q. What’s the difference between St Andrew and the Scotland Rugby Team?
A. One performed miracles, the other needs one to beat the All Blacks!
NOVEMBER 2025
29 Witney v Trowbridge
Wizards v Fairford 1pm
DECEMBER 2025
13 Vipers v Didcot
Witney III v Oxford II
14 Academy v Shipston on Stour
20TH Witney v North Dorset
Witney III v Gosford All Blacks All KOs 3pm unless otherwise annotated
Academy
The Future’s Bright!
Player Sponsors
Player Sponsors
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
SEED 1
SEED 2
Canada also qualified through the regional final play off and samoa got the better of Belgium following a 13 : 13 draw in Dubai.
SEED 3
Q Q Q Q Q
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
