Witney RFC Match Programme 07122024

e m o s H e d l l A am lle G ce n a C

Witney 1st XV vs Drybrook Saturday 07th December, 2pm KO

Com’on you Witney!

ED L Saturday 07th December, 14.00 KO EL C N A WitneyCXV vs Drybrook

Saturday 07 December, 14.00 KO Wheatley XV vs Witney 2nd XV To...............

ED 14.00 KO Saturday 01st December, L L E C Witney 3rd XV Grove 2nd N vs CA

ED tbc KO L Sunday 08th December, L E C VS Reading U18s A Witney Academy XV N CA

Welcome to the Festive season here at Hailey Road, and what better way to get in the Christmas spirit than watching our fabulous First team playing host to Drybrook all the way from the Forest of Dean at the other end of the A40. Drybrook sit 3rd in the league having won 7 from 10, so this will not be easy but our Firsts are keen to get back to winning ways. Welcome Drybrook, we hope you enjoy your day here at Hailey Road.

It's a busy run up for all of us here at Hailey Road, but no more so than for our amazing bar staff. Ian and his team have featured here before but what they do for us demands our praise and thanks. I had reason to visit another Club recently, no names no pack drill. They ran out of ale, they then ran out of Guinness, food was brought in from a takeaway. Whilst it was still a good atmosphere, it wasn’t what we strive for and deliver here at Hailey Road.

Please join me in thanking our wonderful bar and kitchen team, be polite and understanding when they are under pressure, perhaps buy them a drink, your appreciation of their efforts would go a long way.

Robert Fisk Chairman - Witney Rugby Football Club

On this day in 1941, Japanese bombers launched a surprise aerial attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, precipitating the entry of the United States into World War II. “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, the love of what you are doing!” Pele.

Disclaimer: Witney Rugby Football Club, its Chairman, President, Committee Members and any other Alickadoo’s do not bear any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of this section of the match programme, as far as we are concerned it’s a complete work of fiction and should be treated as such. Any complaints should be directed on a postcard to John Campbell Esq the first Lord of Hailey.

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!

Charlie Bowyer

WRFC Walking Rugby

Dom Coe

Matthew Collins Furniture

Callum Godfrey

Barry Bowles & Tony Maycock

Ben Ling

Glenn Davies

James Merriman

AK Timms

Jack Strong

Jason Strong Builders

Tom Gafney

Ian Loughborough

Marcus Reading

Celestra

Cameron Ayris

Milfield Contractors Ltd

Angus Brown

Fowler Hicks Landscaping

Keir MacDougall

Gareth Lewis

Harvey Wattleworth

TW Fitness

Jasper Nixey

Rowles Roofing

Jack Daubney

Chris Delaney

Ollie Dawkins

GMD Consultants

Haydn Clarke

Ready Set Solar

Connor Pummery

Drive Engagement

Luke Manning

Ashcroft

A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!

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 Willis

Matt Webb

Shaw & Co Solicitors

Sam Winstone

Mike Dunbar

Callum Cope

JC Landscaping

Gareth Jenkins

Matt Delnevo

Daniel Wilson

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

A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!

Come & Watch Rugby @Witney RFC!

Witney Calling!

A big weekend of rugby with all senior teams except our Threes in action and our Academy hosting Reading Rams in a rearranged fixture. With only our Twos getting a win it would seem to have been a disappointing weekend but we’re having none of it.

Our First Team battled hard away at Thornbury but too many yellow cards meant it was always going to be a bridge too far.

Our Angels took a depleted side up to Leicester and were on the receiving end of a thumping as they faced a squad of 22. Fair play to them, they battled hard and came off smiling.

Our Academy Boys came close but fell short against Reading Rams, let’s hope they can regroup as this week they face Reading A, a tough ask but our Boys are made of stern stuff and won’t take the defeat lightly.

On the bright side, our Twos entertained a large crowd at Hailey Road and treated all present to a good, hard old-fashioned game of rugby, thoroughly enjoyable.

Witney Calling!

MAJOR STANLEY 2024 Major RV Stanley was an Oxford local who took a keen interest in OURFC, becoming their representative on the RFU committee from 1907 to 1923. Whilst it is believed that Stanley first raised a side to play Oxford in 1894, the first official Stanley's Match did not feature on the fixture list until 1914 (though this was cancelled due to the war). The inaugural Stanley's match was eventually played in 1919, in which the future England greats and RFU Presidents, William Wavell Wakefield and Thomas Anthony Voyce, donned the white Stanley's shirt. Similar to the invitational team the Barbarians, the Stanley’s XV has included some of the biggest names in world rugby and it remains a great honour to be selected.

This year’s ladies’ competition included some of our own Angels; Lisa Craddock, Lauren Belforti, Sarah Pentecost and our very own Head Coach, Lou Gray. Oxford Blues won the game 51 : 31. Well done ladies, A match summary can be found at: https://www.ourfc.org/post/clodagh-holmes-signs-out-of-ourfc-instyle-women-s-blues-match-report-v-major-stanley-s-xv

Witney Calling!

Remember these dates for your diary: Wednesday 11th December, KO TBC. Our Gallant Old and Bold travel to Gosford All Blacks for their last game of 2024. Why not add that to your diary and pop along to cheer our aging warriors to victory.

Saturday 14th December, 12pm KO. Chairman’s Lunch. Witney Host Stow-On-The-Wold, kick off 3pm. Press Latest: 14 spaces available, Contact Bob Fisk; +44 7867 395045.

Saturday 21st December, 7pm KO. Christmas Jumper Night featuring live music from Cloud 9 acoustic trio. Get a taster at: https://youtu.be/yyljhPYQh8E?si=A8jMEYhycPisIkA5

1st Things First!

Thornbury XV 30 : 10 Witney XV A quarter of the way into the game and Witney were leading 5: 7 following a try from Finn Ayris, well done Finn, and a conversion from Liam Cook, things were looking bright.

Thornbury retook the lead on half an hour with a converted try, but Witney stayed in touching distance just before half time, 12 : 10 at the interval.

The second half can best be described as ill disciplined. 3 yellow cards, down to 13 for 8 minutes and Thornbury took full advantage running in three unconverted tries and a penalty.

Full time 30 : 10 and some frank discussions on discipline to follow.

Keep your heads lads, we have full strength Drybrook at home, play hard, commit to everything but stay on the right side of referee, Dan Shotton. Welcome Dan, we hope you enjoy your day at Hailey Road.

Come on you Black and Blues!

1st XV Witney 1st XV vs Drybrook

Saturday 7th Dec, 2pm KO, Hailey Road 1 Marcus Reading*

16 Daniel Wilson*

2 James Merriman*

17 Ben Ling*

3 Connor Pummery*

18 Josh Rihan*

4 Finn Ayris* 5 Mark Roberts 6 Gareth Jenkins* (c) 7 Rees Wilson* 8 John Mason 9 John Derrick 10 Ollie Dawkins 11 Owen Pratt* 12 Angus Brown

* Denotes WRFC Mini & Juniors Player

Head Coaches Adam Copperwheat Matt Carter Wayne Caffekey Match Official Dan Shotton

13 Sam Turberville* 14 Rhys Morgan* 15 Tom Gaffney*

OFFICIAL MAIN PARTNER

No Movement!

1st XV - South West Division Regional 2 Tribute Severn League Table

Click Here for latest Results & League Table

Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering

Eynsham - Witney - Woodstock

2 Be or not 2 Be! Witney II 18 - 12 Chipping Norton Witney Second Team welcomed neighbours Chipping Norton Firsts to Hailey Road on Saturday for the final encounter in what has been a busy November. With our First Team on the road to Thornbury, Bristol, a large crowd decided to stay local and support the Twos.

Both Teams committed to attacking rugby but it was Witney who seemed the stronger. Two tries from winger Rhys Morgan and a third from Ollie Toner delivered the win with Charlie Dunbar adding 3 points from the penalty tee. Dan Webb was outstanding throughout, scrummaging well and making a complete nuisance of himself in open play. The result; Witney 2nds 18, Chipping Norton 12. Thank you to all the Witney faithful whose support helped the Twos grind out the win.

This Saturday sees our Twos on the road to Wheatley. Two from two in their last 2 games would indicate that things are clicking for Wheatley and so our Twos will need to be on top of their game to secure a win at Holton Playing Fields.

Saturday 7th December

Wheatley vs WITNEY II XV 2pm

2nd XV Wheatley vs Witney 2nd XV

Saturday 7th Dec, 2pm KO, Holton Playing Fields 1 Sam Winstone*

16 Harvey Wattleworth*

2 Richie Craig

17 Adam Nobbs

3 Dan Webb*

18 Tristan George

4 Charlie Bowyer

19 Carl Strutt*

5 Mathew Webb*

20 Chris Cope

6 Jasper Nixey*

* Denotes WRFC Mini & Juniors Player

7 Will Phair* 8 Cameron Ayris* 9 Montgomery Hinge 10 Ollie Toner*(C) 11 Callum Cope 12 Ross Sinclair

Head Coaches Simon Copperwheat James Lamb Match Official Stuart Mount

13 Jack Strong* 14 Ben Dunkley* 15 Geordan Bedford

OFFICIAL MAIN PARTNER

Witney IIs Moving On Up! Counties 2 Tribute Berks/Bucks & Oxon North

Click Here for latest Results & League Table

£18

£15

Or get both for £30 See Darren or Matt Webb 07973 147902

The Witney store is a true community store, serving the vicinity for the past 40 years.

Stocking everything from wine to wet wipes and bread to bananas, Cannon Pool (as it's affectionately known) is a one stop shop for Hailey Road and the surrounding villages.

Calling all Golden Oldies?

Veterans @ Hailey Road Contrary to poular belief, you do not have to have: Served in the Trenches of WWI Be over 60 with a pacemaker!

Although being either of those does not preclude you from playing, we do ask for a letter from your parent.

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 Vets Fixtures Gosford All Blacks vs Witney Vets Wed 11th December, KO 19:30, Kidlington

The Threes Will someone please come out to play?

With no report from last weekend, and no match this weekend as Grove II fail to field a side, our Threes take a enforced break. For some it is a chance to concentrate on a big mid-week fixture with our Old & Bold.

Our Veterans take to the field at Gosford, hopefully to bag the first win of the season. Good luck lads, we will be behind you all the way.

Next Up: Gosford All Black Veterans vs Witney Veterans XV Wed 11th Dec, KO 7.30 pm Witney III XV vs Bicester II Sat 14th Dec, KO 2 pm

Veterans Gosford All Blacks Veterans vs Witney Veterans XV

Wednesday 11th Dec, 7.30pm KO, Kidlington

Team to be selected from old prime cuts of Witney Beef Team To Be Drawn From: JD. Taff Davies Biscuit Copey Andy M. Rowler Benny Mac Snaz Nick MacDonald.

Woody

Head Coach

Simon Copperwheat Adam Richie C Wayne James L Simon Cottrell Spud Lee Wright Dale H Toby Alex Greene

Anymore for anymore?

OFFICIAL MAIN PARTNER

Witney IIIs Stay in 7th But With Bicester Closing in!

Counties 3 Tribute Berks/Bucks & Oxon North

Click Here for latest Results & League Table

I sit and wait, Does an Angel contemplate my fate?

Watch the Witney Angels @Hailey Road Sun 01 Dec 2024 KO 2pm Oadby Wyggestonian Women vs Witney Angels XV Sun 15th Dec 2024 KO TBC Kenilworth Women II vs Witney Angels

Calling All Angels!

Witney Angels 0 - 89 Oadby Wyggestonians After a 2-hour drive and facing an opposition of 22 players the girls played their hearts out with some good defensive work throughout, but especially in the last 25 minutes.

With some regular experienced players missing from the lineup (particularly the back line) it was a tough day at the office as the score reflects. However, everyone kept their heads up and came off smiling despite the score line, which did not reflect the rugby played.

Overall player - Lisa Craddock (played like an absolute machine) Forward of the match - Gabi Louro.

Back of the match - Ellen Raymond.

The Angels continue to build on their team numbers and have recently put out their largest squads since pre covid. This wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment and hard work of the social committee, the coaches’ encouragement, and welcoming nature of the Angels themselves.

Although the scores may not reflect it, there is so much positivity surrounding this team and we look forward to what the future holds and what we can build.

Next match AWAY to Kenilworth Sunday 15th December.

Witney Angels.

Still Smiling!

Women’s NC 2 Midlands (Central)

Click Here for latest Results & League Table

Witney Academy.

Let’s Get Back To Winning Ways!

Witney Academy 10 – Rams Colts 22 Not quite the game we were hoping for but we got it anyway.

Plenty for us to unpack from it in training but a couple of tries playing the rugby we know we’re capable of is reassuring.

Rugby is a rough, physical game and this game tested our resilience and composure at times.

We have the skill, the players and the game but last Sunday, we couldn’t quite pull it together. Too much up the jumper rugby when we couldn’t break their line, not enough width or space offered to our wide players and being out jackalled and out rucked made for a difficult game.

Points scored: Tries came from; George Boswell and Leon Conway. Man of the match; Leon Conway.

Next Up:

Sun 07th December 2024 Witney Academy XV vs Reading A 1pm

Academy WITNEY ACADEMY XV VS READING COLTS A SUNDAY 08TH DECEMBER, 1PM KO, HAILEY ROAD

1 Josh Halcrow

16 Seth Savage

2 Callum Cope

17 Will Walker

3 Leon Young

18 Ned Smith

4 George Boswell

19 Alfie Hall

5 Luke Jackson

20 Ru Evans

6 Charlie Greenslade

21 Joe Jeche

7 Owen Fillary

Head Coach

8 Will Phair

Steve Dee

9 Jamie Hoyle 10 Ed Bee 11 Jack Larkin

Match Official

12 Archie Owen

Gavin Allison

13 Leon Conway 14 Reuben Owen 15 Tom Pollard

OFFICIAL MAIN PARTNER

Witney Academy, Let’s escape the Reading Sandwich!

OBB UNDER 18 COLTS DIV 2 OF Oxon Bucks Berks

Click Here for latest Results & League Table

Witney Can Do Magic!

Join The Witney Wizards 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

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The Danish Wardrobe Company first opened its doors in Cirencester in August 2006 as a franchise store and has been recognized as being a breath of fresh air with its ability to offer interesting pieces from Denmark and Scandinavia. Since then, we have become a multi-brand retailer and have extended our product mix to offer a more diverse range of womenswear as well as footwear, accessories and beautiful things for your home!

We are a friendly, reliable and trustworthy Groundwork and Operated Plant Hire business based in Leafield near Witney, Oxfordshire Established in 1997, we have over 25 years experience as a company. We have an excellent reputation and come highly recommended We take a lot of pride in our work and pay attention to detail. We offer a wide range of Groundwork service to both domestic and commercial clientele.

Call Pete or Andy on 01993 878048 or email us at pete@millfieldcontractors.co.uk

Witney 1st XV vs

Drybrook XV 3pm KO

Wheatley XV vs

We are a family firm of accountants and bookkeepers based in Witney and Carterton, with clients ranging from small personal taxation clients to large limited companies. Our close working relationships are designed to make the whole finance function as simple and as efficient as possible for our clients

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6 Nations 2025

We have 10 tickets for England v Italy @ Twickenham, Sunday 9th March. Great tickets at only £119 each.

Available to Club members and Sponsors on a First come First served basis.

Contact Ian: tickets@witneyrugby.co.uk

Management Consultancy Contact Gary Dawkins t: 07919 974296, e: gary@excel-finance.co.uk

Chairman’s Lunches @Hailey Road Saturday 14th December Witney 1st XV v Stow-on-the-Wold 1st XV

14 Spaces Still Available

Saturday 18th January Witney 1st XV v Swindon 1st XV Saturday 8th March Witney 1st XV v Thornbury 1st XV Booking To book a table or individual places please contact WRFC Chairman, Bob Fisk. email: robertfisk@btinternet.com Sponsors: All sponsors are welcome to attend, Some sponsorship packages include chairman’s lunch, otherwise charges apply VP’s, Club Members & Guests: All welcome, price per lunch may vary between £30-35 per head