A huge welcome today to Weston Super Mare who travel up the M5 from the Severn Estuary to enjoy a bit of Hailey hospitality. Weston Super Mare RFC was established in 1875 and so will celebrate 150 years of rugby at some point next year. A community club steeped in history and enjoying a wealth of success over the years on the pitch, welcome all.
I would also like to welcome our guests and Sponsors for this our second Chairman’s lunch of the season, if it goes to form, we will be well looked after by our catering team.
The results didn’t go our way last weekend in what were tough encounters for our Firsts, Seconds and Academy Teams. But what really hurt was the inability to field teams for our Thirds and our Angels on Sunday. Please spread the word about what a great Club we have here and try and bolster our player numbers so that this does not become a regular feature of rugby life in Witney.
Robert Fisk Chairman - Witney Rugby Football Club
The oldest Rugby Trophy in the world is the United Hospitals Challenge Cup, which was first held in 1874, contested between medical schools in London. The first winner was Guy’s Hospital and the Runners up were St George’s Hospital. Barts and London are the current champions.
On Props: “Players open to unconventional ways of thinking”
RFU South West’s Tribute October Team of the Month for Oxfordshire
Witney RFC 2nd XV
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 Maycock
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
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Haydn Clarke
Rowles Roofing
Chris Delaney
GMD Consultants
Ready Set Solar
Connor Pummery Drive Engagement
A massive thank you to
Player Sponsors
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Ollie Toner Drive Engagement
Dan Webb
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Matt Webb Shaw & Co Solicitors
Sam Winstone
Callum Cope
Mike Dunbar
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
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Finn Ayris Haysham Electrical Contractors
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Helen Phillips
William King Tetbury Accounting
Rees Wilson
Owen Fillary
Andy Billington
ADR Services
Rhys Morgan Hyatt Financial
Come & Watch
Witney Calling!
Banbury Vets 12 : 12 Witney Vets
Our Old and Bold were in action mid-week, travelling up to close neighbours Banbury for what was sure to be a hard battle. Selection is not quite the right word to describe the process under which Coach Simon Copperwheat picks the starting line-up:
Q. So who have we got? A. 13 forwards, 2 backs, 3 walking wounded and 2 OAPs. Great, that’s a starting 15 right there.
And so, it was the Veterans of many a classic encounter took to the pitch and got off to a flying start as our forwards, there was after all an abundance of them, battered the Banbury line. A rolling Joe Rowles, spun through one, then two then off loaded to a charging, yes charging Andy Merriman who crossed the line and dabbed down to open the account. A drop goal conversion from Simon Copperwheat added the two.
The problem with too many forwards comes when the relatively youthful Banbury decide to run it and, with ball in hand our backs, both of them, proved lacking in defence out wide. Fortunately, their first attempt at conversion drifted just wide, yes Wayne, just wide!
The battle, and it was a battle continued, but Witney gained more success with pick and go, route 1 rugby leading to an excellent try form Gareth Campbell. Unfortunately, Si’s attempt from the tee didn’t match his drop goal ability and so the score stood Banbury 5, Witney 12. It didn’t stay that way long as Banbury struck again from open play running in under the posts for an easy 7 points. All square.
Who Needs Jonny Wilkinson?
Witney Calling!
That’s how it stayed despite prolonged try line pressure from Witney until disaster struck. A mistimed tackle and a serious neck injury to a Banbury player brought proceedings to a premature halt, an unfortunate reminder of the inherent danger in playing the sport we love.
I would like to commend the on-field response to the accident. Play was immediately stopped and the First Aiders responded quickly and professionally, so a big thank you to Witney boys; Mike Dunbar and Ben La Costa, who stepped up and supported the first aid response, Fish and Biscuit, you’re a credit to your Club.
I want to bring your attention to a couple of dates for your diary:
Wednesday 20th November 2024, RAF v Army. Witney RFC host the RAF U23 side as they take on the Army U23s. Always a hard-fought game and well worth a visit to Hailey Road to see the best of the youth our Services have to offer. That night will see our newly completed BBQ area supplying fine local produce to all comers, at very reasonable prices.
Friday 22nd November, Race Night. Our U16s are hosting a race night at the Club in order to raise funds. Always a fun night, great laugh, and a great way to raise funds. Remember, gamble responsibly!
Army
1st Things First!
Trowbridge 44 : 36 Witney Firsts
Our firsts travelled to Trowbridge for what was always going to be a tough encounter with one of the top of the table sides. Trowbridge came into the game having put 101 points on Swindon the previous week, our Firsts certainly didn’t wish to be a similar statistic and got off to a great start with a try from Connor Pummery in the 7th minute. Liam Cook had a mixed day from the tee bagging 3 from 6. 0 : 5.
Trowbridge weren’t to be down hearted though and responded with 3 converted tries in 15 minutes, oh well, 21 : 5 one quarter of the game gone. Witney regathered and two tries, from Jacob Hayter and Gareth Jenkins respectively with Liam Cook landing his first from 3 with 27’ on the clock. 21 : 17. A wave of substitutions followed causing some disruption but James Merriman seemed to steady the ship with a try on 35’ duly converted by Liam, 21 : 24 Witney and that’s how it stayed until half time.
1st Things First!
The second half started with a try from Trowbridge and more bench action from Witney. A second try meant Trowbridge were now leading 33 : 24, but Witney were certainly not down and out. A try from back rower Mark Roberts, duly converted by Liam brought Witney right back in it, but discipline started to play a part. A couple of penalties and a yellow card for Finn Ayris stretched the lead and a late try unconverted try meant that Trowbridge were leading 44 : 31 with a couple of minutes left to play.
A late unconverted try from Rory Atkins meant the Black and Blues fell one point short of a losing bonus but can take heart from banging in 6 tries against top of the table opposition, gaining a try bonus in the process. Man of the match was Finn Ayris who competed hard all game long. Probably one of our best performances this season and with a little more defensive discipline we could have come away with a win. Well done lads!
Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering
2 Be or not 2 Be!
Witney Seconds 20 : 45 Huel Tring
A hard-fought old-fashioned battle. No one thought from the outset, 0 : 5 down within 5 minutes that it was going to be easy. Our 2s though, worked hard in the set piece and won ball through sheer determination, it wasn’t enough though.
Tring looked in control throughout and although we scored through Dan Wakeman, Charlie Bowyer, Ollie Toner and Jack Daubeney we never looked like troubling the outcome. Ben Dunkley was our Man of the Match. A game of a lot of hard work and effort for which we took a try bonus so not at all negative.
No game for our 2s this weekend, the planned game against Aylesbury was negated as they have withdrawn from the league. It will be good to see a lot of the lads on the sideline cheering on our Firsts against Weston.
Enjoy a beer and the game lads, you’ve earned it!
The Threes Back in Business?
It seems ages ago that our 3rds last took to the pitch hosting Risborough in a very forgettable game. Three No Shows for our Threes has been difficult, hard to retain interest when games are cancelled, especially at short notice.
It has been 4 weeks since our Threes took to the pitch, the last no show being down to us not being able to raise a side, it hurts. Today we travel to Harwell, or at least we hope to be travelling. Harwell have twice been unable to raise a team and so we sit with fingers and toes crossed and hope for good news.
If you know of anyone who would like to join a fantastic group of players please get them to contact the Club.
witneyrfc@btinternet.com
Counties
Calling all Golden Oldies?
Veterans @ Hailey Road
y to poular belief, you do not have to have: d in the Trenches of WWI er 60 with a pacemaker! though being either of not preclude you from playing, or 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
A Lesson for the Academy!
Witney Academy 16 : 17 Aylesbury Colts A
The day can be summed up in one word, frustrating!
A stop/start match left Witney Academy struggling to find their rhythm and put phases together. By not dominating possession at the breakdown, working the phases, and recycling quickly, we allowed Aylesbury into the game and were suckered into playing their style of rugby. Consequently, we missed opportunities, agonisingly losing the match with the last play of the game - real rope-a-dope rugby.
Jake Larkin scored our only try with Finn Knox bagging the conversion and an additional 9 points from the tee.
As the phrase goes, ‘if you’re not winning, you’re learning’, and the team have taken that on board in training this week. We are focusing on sticking to the patterns of play we know we are good at and that should allow us to take control in matches. This match was a lesson in staying switched on from start to finish, calm & intelligent decision making and playing to our strengths. The league is still there to be won.
MOTM: Finn Knox for a 100% performance from the tee.
This Sunday sees our Academy on the road to Bracknell for a friendly. KO 12pm, there are worse ways to spend a Sunday lunch time, why not make a day of it and get along and support the best of the Black and Blue youth.
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
www.drive-engagement.uk
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!
I sit and wait, Does an Angel contemplate my fate?
We still have 20 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
Chairman’s Lunches @Hailey Road
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
