Last weekend we hosted Gordano and our first team secured their first win of the season. Well done lads, we knew it was coming and you delivered.
Talking of delivering; a big thank you to our catering team who delivered an excellent lunch for the first of this season’s Chairman’s lunches. Maximum attendance, the food was excellent as always, the service faultless, we really do appreciate the effort you guys put in. Thank you. For fans and sponsors these really are the icing on the cake so be sure not to miss the next one on Saturday 16th November. Be there or be talked about!
Our future is still looking bright with the Academy boys winning away at Newbury. It was a hard fought niggly game brought to a premature conclusion as Newbury staff and players abused the match official. This is a timely reminder of the ethos and values of rugby, and abuse of match officials will not be tolerated at Witney RFC. Support with gusto, keep it good spirited and everyone can enjoy their game.
Robert Fisk Chairman - Witney Rugby Football Club
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
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!
In addition to the first team result at home, our seconds also produced an excellent performance on the road beating Chesham 17 : 0 away. Great to see all the hard work from the coaches and players coming together. Our thirds came off slightly second best away at Wallingford II but bagging 2 bonus points away is not exactly failing. The Angels continue their struggle against top of the table competition, going down away in Buckingham. It doesn’t get any easier for the ladies as we welcome top of the table Rugby Lionesses to Hailey Road on Sunday. Good luck ladies.
I want to bring your attention to a couple of dates for your diary:
TONIGHT!! OKTOBER FEST comes to Hailey Road. Lederhosen, Dirndl dresses, bratwurst and beers in Steins, what more could we ask for. Well home wins for our 2s and 3s will put us in good spirit and welcoming a winning first team back from Swindon wouldn’t go a miss.
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.
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!
OUFC Calling!
Calling Notice:
Oxford University Rugby Football Club
Next Friday, the Men’s Blues team are playing Premiership side Harlequins at Iffley Rd. We are hoping to beat last year’s attendance of 2,500 and create a really special atmosphere. https://www.ourfc.org/post/harlequins-v-men-sblues-match-moved-to-friday-night-lights-25th-october-7-15pm
For all members of Oxfordshire clubs we are offering a 50% discount of £5 to sit in the East and West Stand with U18s going free. Simply go to https://www.ourfc.org/tickets select the Harlequins Match and enter ‘OXCLUBS5’.
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
2 Be or not 2 Be!
Chesham RFC 0 : 17 Witney 2nds
Our 2s travelled east almost to that there London for an outing against Chesham. Dominating from the outset with new Captain Charlie Bowyer leading by example. Three tries came via: Ben Ling, Ollie Dawkins and Mark Roberts with Ollie bagging a conversion as well. Charlie Gardner had an excellent game at flanker and picked up a well-deserved man of the match.
The result saw our 2s climb the table to 7th, just one place and two points below this week’s visitors to Hailey Road.
Today our 2s welcome Abingdon to Hailey Road in what is going to be a massive mid table battle. Abingdon on 3 from 5, Witney 2 from 5. A good win today will hopefully see the two West Oxfordshire clubs change places in the table.
Good luck to the Boys in Black and Blue.
1st Things First!
Witney 1st XV 17 : 14 Gordon
Our firsts welcomed Gordano to Hailey Road for what was to be a tight fought battle, with everything; tough competitive set-pieces, flowing back movements and a bit of niggle. Gordano got on the sheet first with a smooth move down their left side following some broken play in midfield. Converted, 0:7, we’ve been in worse predicaments. Some strong carries from our forwards and some piercing runs from our backs led to a try for Max Benson, it looked easy, I’m sure it wasn’t. Dom Coe nailed the conversion, all square, less than 4 minutes behind must be a Club record. A penalty around the half hour mark from Dom Coe put the Witney boys in the lead going into halftime 10 : 7.
The second half was somewhat fractious, neither side dominating the opening ten minutes. Then step-up Matt Webb, doing what Matt does best, scoring a try after some excellent work from Witney’s forwards. Converted by Dom Coe giving Witney a 17 : 7 lead. The niggle continued and no matter how hard Marcus Reading tried to explain the finer points of scrummaging, the West Country hooker was having none of it. The referee quite right in asking the pair of them to take 10 minutes out to cool down. A consolation try gave Gordano a losing bonus point, but the result was never in doubt and the Firsts managed the final 20 like a professional outfit. Good to see Alex Foggett back in a Witney shirt, the downside being our try scoring ‘Captain Fantastic’ Matt Webb suffered a complicated fracture to his thumb. This will keep him out for a while and so our thoughts are with him for a speedy recovery.
On Saturday we are on the road to Swindon who currently lie below us in the table. Let us not underestimate their ability with 2 four try bonus points so far, they can score!
Good luck to the Boys in Black and Blue.
1st XV - South West Division
Regional 2 Tribute Severn League Table
Soooo Close!
Wallingford IIs 35 v 33 Witney IIIs
Last weekend saw our 3rd team travel to East Oxfordshire for a clash with Wallingford 2nd team. It was a hard-fought battle in which Witney never gave up, bags of effort from the boys in Black and Blue with the lead changing hands numerous times throughout. Tries came from Ben Lacosta (2), Luke Manning, and Alex Greene, and Eddie Alexander with Luke Manning bagging four of the five conversion attempts. A special mention to Witney’s Man of the Match, Ben Lacosta. Not only for bagging two tries but to come off the bench in a very tough game into the front row for the injured Mike McIntosh, very well-done Ben.
Harry Ward earned himself a post-match free pint but for all the wrong reasons. Don’t worry too much Harry, the Wizards still love you and will buy you a pint if you remember to go forward with the ball. Coming away with 2 points, try bonus and losing bonus is not bad, but it’s not what we wanted.
Today our 3s host Risborough. Sitting top of the table with 5 from 5, even if one of them was a walk over because Grove IIs couldn’t field a team, this will be no easy game. Promisingly we have a strong squad chomping at the bit to do the Hailey Road faithful proud.
Good luck to the Boys in Black and Blue.
HAILEY HAPPENINGS
I was under a lot of pressure to make sure this wasn’t forgotten. I had wanted to wait until their next game but I think being Vets we had better get it in print whilst they are all still with us.
Witney Vets 24 – 28 Bicester/Quins Vets
The vets opened up their 2024/25 campaign with a narrow defeat to the combined side of Bicester and Oxford Quins. The vets fired out of the blocks scoring straight from kick off, John Mason finishing off a great team try. More scores followed in this game that went back and forth. Vets scoring through Simon Copperwheat, following an exhilarating break from Gareth Campbell. Alex Greene dived over in the corner to complete a great team try after the forwards had banged away on the line. Score of the night probably game from Joe Rowles as he powered over following a trademark step/dummy/shuffle from Arron Lambourne. Overall, another successful night with great numbers from the vets. Fantastic to see M&J coaches sticking their hands up to play and loving it. Once again, the Hailey Road faithful were in fine voice and roared the team on. Man of The Match; Deep Heat and Zinc Tape.
Team – Paul Norry, Tom Young, Michael MacIntosh, Simon Copperwheat (c), Ben McPherson, Wayne Caffekey, John Mason, Matt Tibbatts, Gareth Campbell, Jon Derrick, Chris Cope, Gaz Charnock, Arron Lambourne, Alex Greene, Tom James. Reserves: Joe Rowles, Lee Wright, Simon Cottrell, Tian Smith, Taff Davies, Ian Burton
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
Down to 14 But Not Down Hearted!
Buckingham Swans IIs 37 v 14 Witney
Angelss
Our Angels travelled north to Buckingham for an encounter with third in the table Buckingham Swans II. The girls played well and are starting to come together as a team. The Swans strength in depth meant that the win was always unlikely but that didn’t dampen the Angels spirit and endeavour.
Two tries from Ellen Raymond both converted by Naomi Godfrey showed what the Angels could do with ball in hand. A stella performance from Lisa Craddock earned her the Angels’ Player of the Match, well done Archangel Lisa?
On Sunday things get no easier. At 2pm our ladies welcome top of the table Rugby Lionesses to Hailey Road. What’s gone before doesn’t matter and our girls in Black and Blue will give it their all, why not come along and see for yourselves.
Angels XV - Women’s NC 2 Midlands (Central)
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!
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 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
