Witney 1st XV vs Gordano
Saturday 12th October, 3pm KO
Com’on you Witney!
Saturday 12th Octoberber, 3pm KO
Witney 1st XV vs Gordano RFC
Chesham vs Witney 2nd XV
Wallingford 2nd vs Witney 3rd XV
Sunday 13th October, 2pm KO
Buckingham Swans 2nd vs Angels XV
Witney Academy XV vs Newbury XV
Today our Firsts welcome Gordano RFC to Hailey Road, whilst our SecondTeamareontheroadtoCheshamandourThreesareaway at Wallingford. Sunday sees our Angels travel to Buckingham for a clash with Buckingham Swans Twos, and our Academy Boys travel toNewbury.
Gordano travel to us from North Somerset just southwest of Bristol. With 2 home wins under their belt, the most recent against Longlevens 2 weeks ago, they sit comfortably in the middle of the table. Their away form hasn’t been as successful losing 2 from 2, let’s hope the boys in Black and Blue can extend that away record. We also host our first Chairman’s Lunch of the season, so welcome Gordano,wehopeyouenjoythehospitalityofHaileyRoad. Ofcourse,ittakesmorethanjustatalentedgroupofplayerstokeep a Club like Witney running smoothly. Two weeks ago, matches around the country were being cancelled because pitches were unplayable. Our First Team ended up playing on a school pitch as Old Centralians ground was flooded, kind of takes you back to the 1960s. Here at Hailey Road, there has been a lot of work done to make the First pitch playable, prone to flooding, I think we can all agree it looks immaculate. That is mainly due to the tireless efforts ofGlennDavies. Thankyou,Glenn,fromallofusatWitneyRFC. Of course, none of this would be possible without our sponsors, and itisalwaysgreattoseethemandtheirpersonnelupatHaileyRoad enjoyingtherugbytheatmosphereandofcoursethelunch. Thank youall.
BobFisk ChairmanWitneyRFC
Player Sponsors
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Get your name in the match programme, but more importantly you are helping develop WRFC players!
Charlie Bowyer
Dom Coe
Callum Godfrey
WRFC Walking Rugby
Matthew Collins Furniture
Barry Bowles & Tony Mayfield
Ben Ling Glenn Davies
James Merriman
Jack Strong
Tom Gafney
AK Timms
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
A massive thank you to
Player Sponsors
Get your name in the match programme, but more importantly you are
Ollie Toner Drive Engagement
Dan Webb
Matt Webb
Sam Winstone
Callum Cope
Gareth Jenkins
Daniel Wilson
Harry Ward
Josh Whitehead
David Willis
Shaw & Co Solicitors
Mike Dunbar
JC Landscaping
Matt Delnevo
Matt Delnevo
WRFC Walking Rugby
J S Motors
Liam Cook J Brand
John Mason
Mark Roberts
Finn Ayris
Carl Campbell
William King
Rees Wilson
Owen Fillary
Adler & Allan
Pole Position Scaffolding
Haysham Electrical Contractors
Helen Phillips
Tetbury Accounting
Andy Billington
ADR Services
Come & Watch
Witney Calling!
Well another weekend of some great rugby unfortunately with all three senior sides going down in hard fought games against very strong opposition. More of that later.
The future is bright, the future is the Academy. Our U18s Colts travelled to Beaconsfield to face their U18s in what proved to be a scintillating display of rugby from our youth side, running out 21 : 52 winners. It was an incredible start to our Academy team’s league campaign away to Beaconsfield. The first half brought a flurry of great tries, and it seemed like we might put some record numbers on the scoreboard. Beaconsfield, however, had other ideas and put on a show of strong midfield defence. in the second half that thwarted our attack and saw them claw back the points difference gap.
That said, some lovely running rugby and some confident kicking gave us a great lead. The forwards pounded our way up the pitch and the backs exploited the space. It was pleasing to see some great speed at supporting the rucks meaning limited turnovers given away.
Witney Calling!
There were some strong performances by a few players. Seth Savage was particularly strong going forwards and in defence whilst Leon Conway made several line breaks one of which took him over for his first try this season. Charlie Greenslade gave a robust run out at No 8 and Ed Bee showed a strong boot with a number of great kicks out of hand that asked questions of the opposition. However, it was Finn Knox who was selected by Beaconsfield as Man of the Match for his all-round movement, tackling and strong line breaks.
Once again, thank you to our travelling supporters for their voices during the game. It really brings an added encouragement to the team to help push them on to better performances.
Points scored
Tries: Owen Fillary, Finn Knox x 2, Reuben Owen, Jack Larkin, Josh Halcrow, Leon Conway, Charlie Greenslade.
Conversations: Finn Knox x 6, Man of the match: Finn Knox
On Sunday our Colts travel to Newbury to face their B team. Good luck lads let’s keep up the good work.
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
Witney Vets vs Banbury Vets
Wed 13th November, KO 18:30, Away
Witney Vets vs Gosford All Blacks
Wed 4th December, KO 18:30, Hailey Road
1st Things First!
Old Centralians 31 : 29 Witney 1st XV
Our firsts travelled to Gloucester for a bruising encounter with Old Centralians. An early yellow card for Angus Brown cost us dearly conceding 2 tries in the 10 minutes whilst down to 14. No sooner had Angus returned and Jacob Hayter was ordered off for a further 10 minutes, we like to do stuff the hard way. Rees Wilson was injured and substituted with Cameron Ayris joining the fray. Enough is enough and Captain Matt Webb crossed the white line to lead the revival, Matt’s certainly no stranger to the in-goal area, but a penalty try to Old Cents added to our woes.
The injuries continued with prop Connor Pummery leaving the field replaced by Dan Wilson. Gareth Jenkins got our second just before the break and we went in 21 : 10 down but feeling that the tide was turning our way.
Don’t know what the coaches said but it appeared to work. The second half started very well with Witney dominating the third quarter grabbing 3 tries from; Sam Turberville, Jacob Hayter and Dom Coe. Dom added the two points from all but his own and we entered the final quarter leading 21 : 29. Then the wheels came off, two unconverted tries late on meant we came away with just 2 bonus points and some hard lessons in discipline.
Today we welcome Gordano who sit just above us in the table having won both of their home games. Today would be a great opportunity to get our season properly started with a home win, let’s get behind the boys in Black and Blue.
Good luck to the Boys in Black and Blue.
Oops, Not Where We Want To
2 Be or not 2 Be!
Witney 2nds 22 : 36 Oxford
Our 2nds played host to neighbours Oxford in a thrilling encounter in which the forwards dominated set piece possession.
Another week and the seconds faced another first team. The 2nds knew that they would be in for a tough afternoon, Oxford are going from strength to strength, promotion is definitely on their agenda this season. The away side came out strong playing some attacking rugby, the 2’s boys stuck to their task well and defended bravely.
The scrum and lineout were proving successful for the us, Adam Nobbs had a stormer and caused the Oxford tighthead all sorts of problems; this allowed soon to be golf pro/man of the match, Richie Craig and Dan Wakeman to turn the screw on their men as well. Throughout the game, we were competitive and stayed in the fight to the last. The work on a Thursday night is beginning to shine through as for the 3rd time this season the seconds scored 4 tries to gain a bonus point. A few lapses of concentration by us gave opportunities to Oxford and their powerful runners made us pay. Overall, another pleasing display by the seconds against a very good side.
Tries from Tristan George, Richie Craig, Jack Daubeney & Ollie Toner and one conversion from Ollie Dawkins gave us our points.
Today our 2s are on the road to Chesham. The Buckinghamshire Club lie just 2 points above us in the league. They are building Chiltern Hills academy as a bit of a forttess having won both home games there this season. let’s hope our 2s upset that trend.
Good luck to the Boys in Black and Blue.
3s Struggle in Bucks!
Buckingham 2s 54 v 12 Witney 3rds
Not a great weekend for our Threes losing by a shed full to 12 away at Buckingham 2s. As with all games there are some positives; two well worked tries, and a sterling performance from Ross Sinclair, but the real winner is managing to get three sides out every Saturday. I cannot lie, it’s not easy and each week sees Club members pulling together to field a squad. Feel you have something to offer, then please get in touch.
Are you missing something in your life? Work and family taking up too much of your time. Need a bit of you time to reset your work life balance? Why not come back to Rugby? Remember the fun, the camaraderie, the physicality, the sheer joy? That is still there, the only thing that’s missing is you.
Why not come back to the game you once played and still love. Our third team manage to put out a team every week but at times due to work, family and injuries, we struggle to fill the team sheet. Your presence would be more than welcomed by our squad and coach, Carl Strutt. Get in touch via the website.
Today our 3s are on the road to Wallingford where they play the 2s. Wallingford lie just 2 points behind our 3s in the league so they have everything to play for. Not too far to travel, let’s hope it’s a short sweet trip.
Good luck to the Boys in Black and Blue.
HAILEY HAPPENINGS
Well October is one of those months when the weather turns, training gets more intense, and the coaches demand extra from us, like thinking as well as playing. No surprise then that most of us turn to drink! But not all. Long term Witney stalwart, player, Captain, Coach, gardener! Not to mention being fundamental to the development of our SEND team, the Wolves, as well as SEND teams around the region, Gareth Lewis is going sober. Sober you ask? Yes, but don’t let that stop him buying you that drink he promised. Some will say well it’s only a month, but then we’re Rugby and that is 4 match days, 5 training nights and at least one festival weekend. No mean feat if he manages to stay sober through all of that! You can help by making his sacrifice worthwhile, it does after all support the wonderful MacMillan Cancer Support charity, we all know people who have needed their support. So com’on, Click here and support Gareth
I sit and wait, Does an Angel contemplate my fate?
Watch the Witney Angels
@Hailey Road
Sun 20 Oct 2024
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Rugby Lionesses Ladies
Sun 24 Nov 2024
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Old Northamptonians Ladies
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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
Saturday 02nd November
16th November
24th November
Chairman’s Lunches @Hailey Road
Saturday 12th October
Witney 1st XV v Gordano 1st XV
Saturday 16th November
Witney 1st XV v Weston-super-Mare 1st XV
Saturday 14th December
Witney 1st XV v Stow-on-the-Wold 1st XV
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
