Shipston on Stour vs Witney Academy XV 2 pm KO Cancelled
Only one match at Hailey Road this weekend, with all our senior teams taking a break. On Sunday our U16s XV welcome Stow on the Wold U16s XV, I say welcome but there is a hidden conflict. Our first team coaching guru, Matt Carter’s loyalties are split as his boy Rupert will be running out for Stow, could be tasty.
If you want to see the future in action, all our age groups will be taking to the field this Sunday morning for training and practice matches, honing their skills and trying to imitate their senior team heroes. Why not pop up and see how our marvellous coaching staff and support teams develop our future players.
It is nice for me to be able to thank those that work tirelessly to bring on the developing players. Their success is measured by the number of *s seen on every Senior match day programme. Whilst the Team across the age groups is huge, I would like to focus today on the magnificent squad we have bringing on our Academy.
Steve Dee Head coach pulls it all together but couldn’t manage it without assistance from; Andy Bee, Derek Hoyle, Jon Hayter, Rob Phair, Richie Craig and Tom Young. We also must thank Lisa Benson who works tirelessly as Team Manager as well as First Aider alongside Rob and Tom.
Thank you Team, keep doing what you are doing, training, facilitating, motivating, inspiring!
Bob Fisk - Chairman
£16 each
TheWitneystoreisatruecommunitystore, servingthevicinityforthepast40years. Stockingeverythingfromwinetowetwipes andbreadtobananas,CannonPool(asit's affectionatelyknown)isaonestopshopfor HaileyRoadandthesurroundingvillages. On Sale from
OIn June 2010 Tom Prydie became Wales youngest try scorer at 18 years and 102 days against South Africa, overtaking the record set by Tome Pearson in 1891. He is thought to be the youngest International try scorer ever.
In training the Banbury Colts coach told the lads to take up their usual position. They went and stood behind the posts!
Player Sponsors
Want
Get your name in the match programme, but more importantly you are helping develop WRFC players!
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!
Ollie Toner Drive Engagement
Dan Webb
David ‘Dabber’ Willis
Matt Webb Shaw & Co Solicitors
Sam Winstone Mike Dunbar
Callum Cope JC Landscaping
Gareth Jenkins
Daniel Wilson
Matt Delnevo
Matt Delnevo
Harry Ward WRFC Walking Rugby
Josh Whitehead J S Motors
Liam Cook J Brand
John Mason Blanketmen
Mark Roberts Pole Position Scaffolding
Finn Ayris Haysham Electrical Contractors
Carl Campbell
Helen Phillips
William King Tetbury Accounting
Rees Wilson
Andy Billington
Owen Fillary ADR Services
Rhys Morgan
Hyatt Financial
Jon Derrick B Wastie Electrical
Come & Watch Rugby @Witney RFC!
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
Thursday 24th April
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 2nd August
2025 2025
Witney Calling!
This Sunday our U16s welcome Stow on the Wold to Hailey Road for what is certain to be a corker of a battle.
Our Boys are up for it, wanting to prove that we are the Club with a future. Stow have something to prove themselves with a mixed bag of results this season; honours even against Oxford Harlequins and a drubbing away to Royal Wootton Bassett, which given their pedigree was not unexpected. Why not brush off the cobwebs and get up Hailey Road for what is certain to be a real battle.
Come on you Witney Boys, let’s go for it in Black and Blue!
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
Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering
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
Witney M &Js!
U14s Match Report, Gosford All Blacks:
SCORE: Witney 43 : 0 Gosford All Blacks
The match started frantically with GAB making a number of strong carries that stressed the Witney fringe defence. This was eventually broken up by a series of strong tackles by the Witney back row, eventually leading to a knock on and the first scrum. The scrum proved to be a strong point for the Witney team throughout the match, consistently containing and often bettering a physically bigger GAB pack.
The first Witney try came after some strong carries by the Witney forwards, narrowing the defence before the ball was spun out wide through the backs and finished in the corner after a jinking run by Huw the winger beating several defenders. The 2nd and 3rd tries came from turnover ball after GAB had lost possession in the Witney half and 2 long range finishes by Joe, the Witney starting Outside Centre, both converted by Callum our Fly Half.
Momentum started to shift as half time approached, with GAB gaining more possession in the Witney half. This pressure resulted in Witney conceding several penalties and eventually led to a Witney player, Arthen, being sent to the bin for a ‘team’ yellow card. GAB battled away for the rest of the half but couldn’t penetrate a resilient Witney defence.
Witney M &Js!
U14s Match Report, Gosford All Blacks:
SCORE: Witney 43 : 0 Gosford All Blacks
The second half started with some more GAB possession but after a few minutes, Witney took back control of the match. The next try coincided with the return of Arthen, from the sin bin, who came back on desperate to make a positive impact on proceedings. Arthen received the ball from a tap and go penalty 15 m from the GAB line and carried determinedly through 5 attempted tacklers to score. The next try was similar, with a strong carry by Harry L the Witney loose head, driving through several GAB players before dotting down.
The 6th try was the pick of the day, with a backs’ move straight off the training ground. It started on the half-way line with a neat exchange and Sexton-like loop between the Fly Half and Inside Centre with space created the ball went to Thomas, the replacement Outside Centre who ran a clinical line that scythed through a gap in the now scrambled GAB defence and finished from long range. The final try completed a hat trick try for the starting 13 Joe, with some hard and direct running against a now tiring GAB defence. Final score, Witney 43 : 0 GAB.
Tries: Huw, Joe x 3, Arthen, Harry L, Thomas.
Conversions: Callum x4
Witney M &Js!
U15s Match Report, Bletchley:
SCORE: Bletchley 0 : 60 Witney
What a difference a week makes. Seven days after a narrow but spirited 17-14 loss against Abingdon/Didcot in the semi-final of the ORFU County Cup shield. Nineteen of Witney’s finest travelled to Bletchley for their last opportunity to end a losing streak measured in years.
Understandably, the confidence of the team was low with the early play hesitant and uncertain. Crucially, Witney were the first to score after a period of sustained pressure two minutes into the first half with George Phair scoring a try coming off the back of a ruck close to the opposition line with Josh Bowhill converting. For the first time this season, Witney had a 7-0 lead. Bletchley looked to counter straight from the kick-off, but robust defence from Witney ended up with the opposition winger being driven into touch on Witney’s 22. Strong runs from the forwards bought Witney back into the red zone, resulting in a try for Luke Thompson, again converted by Josh.
Similarly direct play fashioned a second try for George Phair, but this time the conversion was missed. Twenty minutes in and Witney led 17-0, but more crucially, they began to believe in themselves.
Witney M &Js!
U15s Match Report, Bletchley:
SCORE: Bletchley 0 : 60 Witney
Witney began to play with a belief that the coaches have seen in training but not in match play. Two line breaks through Bletchley’s drift defence resulted in a second try for Luke and a first try for the club for Ben Duggan. Josh added another conversion to give Witney a 29-0 lead at half time.
At half time, the coaches challenged Witney to move the ball wide from the set piece and ruck and get the ball around Bletchley rather than through the middle. Slick hands saw the ball make its way out to the right wing for Zak Portnell to score his first try for the club. Three minutes later, strong running in midfield put Che Orrock into a gap in the wider channels and Che ran the ball home from forty metres to touch down beneath the posts with Josh converting the try.
Bletchley were starting to tire, and this allowed Ben Duggan to make a break in midfield before unselfishly passing to put Sam Bonner under the posts for his first try for Witney, with Josh converting once more. victory.
Witney M &Js!
U15s Match Report, Bletchley:
SCORE: Bletchley 0 : 60 Witney
With Bletchley losing heart, there were short-range tries for the Luke, to complete his hat-trick, and Ben August scoring his first try in the corner following a mistake at the lineout by the opposition.
At this point, the referee decided that enough was enough and blew for full time five minutes early to give Witney a 60-0
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!
