TheLevenswasestablishedin1954andjoinedDivisionFour of the North Gloucestershire League.[1] They have subsequently moved up through the County Leagues and lastyearwerepromotedtoRegional2RugbyjoiningWitney atTier6.Theiropeninggamesawthemsecureatrybonus inaclosefoughtdefeatawayatThornbury.Lastweekthey welcomed Chippenham to Saw Mills End and secured an emphatic win running out 59 : 35 Winners. Well done, lets hope Witney RFC can match your power. Welcome to Hailey Road, we hope you enjoy the hospitality and the rugby.
Our 2nd XV are on the road to Greenleys for an encounter with Milton Keynes who had a marvellous opening day thrashing Aylesbury 58 – 5 at Home. Last week saw them travel to Chipping Norton, earning a losing bonus point against a strong Chippy side. Our IIs will be bolstered by theirverystrongperformanceathome,beatingGosfordAll Blacksisalwaysnice.
Witney 3rd XV are also on the road, not quite so far, up the A4260 to Bodicote Park and a local derby with Banbury IIs. No introduction required here but we can expect a full-on encounter.
On Sunday we also play host to Silhillians Sirens Women’s’ Rugby Team, travelling down from Southeast Birmingham. Welcome ladies to Hailey Road, we hope you enjoy your day in the Cotswolds.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of all our volunteers and sponsors. If you need local business support for any endeavour why not look first at the wonderful companies that support our marvellous Club. On the volunteer front, all of you who have visited the Club recently, cannot have failed to have noticed the marvellous new social area, the BBQ, safety rails and new seating.
Whilst the number of contributors to this project was massive, special thanks must go to Darren Webb who pulled it all together, Cameron Ayris for the stonework, and John Campbell for all the groundworks. There were loads more contributions and I think we can all agree it looks marvellous; thank you one and all.
Come & Watch
Witney Calling!
Another mixed bag of results last weekend, but with 3 wins out of 4 when we include our Academy, then we must be happy that the Club are still performing on the pitch as well as off it. Here at Hailey Road it was a massively successful weekend. Our IIs entertained Gosford All Blacks and in a nail-biting encounter emerged 19 : 17 winners. Well Done lads.
In a preseason friendly, let’s face it, there’s no such thing as a friendly; our Academy Team secured an impressive first game win against Royal Wootton Bassett, 52 : 5. Good preparation, working hard in training and a positive mindset all helped ready the team for Sunday’s game, the newer Academy players slotting in very well with some very strong performances. We travelled with a large squad, giving the coaches maximum opportunity to look at as many players and combinations as possible.
Stereotypical Witney Academy forward play dominated the first 20 minutes with Will Phair delivering the opening score, before the floodgates opened and quick offloading was the order of the day allowing our electric backs to work their magic and build a decent score, including 4 tries for man of the match Reuben Owen. Promisingly, Finn Knox and Ed Bee had a good day off the tee missing just 2 conversions. Great preparation with just two weeks and limited training time together before our first league game. The players maintained strong intensity levels throughout the game. They stuck well to their task and were not afraid to try new plays that they have been working on in training. They showed excellent resilience and maturity throughout. The team now need to continue this approach and focus with our first league game just two weeks away.
Our First Team travelled to Stow-on-the-Wold, but were unfortunate to meet a side rebounding after a defeat on the road. A frustrating afternoon in truth. The boys put in an improved performance but lacked accuracy with the final pass, or rushed things when a little more patience would have paid dividends. We made our way into the Stow 22 on numerous occasions, proving that the foundations of our attack play are improving, and there are reasons to be positive. Winger, Rhys Morgan, looked particularly sharp all game and was our Man of the Match.
The forwards put in a good shift, with both set pieces providing good ball for the backs to launch from. Our downfalls on the day and areas to improve on remain; our discipline, and the way we react defensively to turn over ball. At times our discipline allowed Stow easy access in to our 22, and a side of Stow’s quality need no second invitation to pounce. They were ruthless in their execution, and that was the main difference. Tip of the hat to Stow, they deserved to win. For us there are green shoots, signs that we are improving and that the foundations of our attack and defence are starting to bed in.
Try scorer: Matt Webb (that’s 4 in two games for the new CoCaptain) Conversion: Ollie Brian. We will be better again next Saturday in front of the Hailey Road faithful. Stow proved to be just too good for the boys in Black and Blue running out 34 to 7 winners.
A different story for our travelling IIIs, a massive 7 : 28 win away at Bicester. Alex Greene opened the scoring which was converted by Luke Manning. Ben Mcpherson was high tackled as he went to score giving us a penalty try. Mike Williams scored converted by Luke Manning. Zac Way then produced some brilliant rugby scoring a long range try which was converted by Luke Manning. The second half saw Bicester enter the game and score a converted try. Zac Way rightly earned his Man of the Match accolade.
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 Ox Quins & Bicester Vets
Wed 2nd October, KO 18:30, Hailey Road
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
Oops, Not Where We Want To Be!
I sit and wait, Does an Angel contemplate my fate?
Watch the Witney Angels
@Hailey Road
Sun 22 Sep 2024
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Silhillians Ladies
Sun 20 Oct 2024
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Rugby Lionesses Ladies
Sun 24 Nov 2024
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Old Northamptonians Ladies
Angels yet to play a League Game!
WOMEN'S NC 2 MIDLANDS (CENTRAL)
Click here for latest table
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
Player Sponsors
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Charlie Bowyer
Callum Godfrey
WRFC “Wizzards” Walking Rugby
Barry Bowles & Tony Mayfield
Ben Ling Glenn Davies
james Merriman AK Timms
Tom Gafney
Ian Loughborough
Marcus Reading Celestra
Cameron Ayris
Milfield Contractors Ltd
Angus Brown Fowler Hicks Landscaping
Kerr Macdougall
Harvey Wattleworth
Jasper Nixey
Hayden Clarke
Connor Pummery
Jack Strong
Ollie Toner
Dan Webb
Gareth Lewis
TW Fitness
Rowles Roofing
Ready Set Solar
Drive Engagement
Jason Strong Builders
Drive Engagement
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 “wIZZARDS” Walking Rugby
Josh Whitehead J S Motors
Liam Cook J Brand
John Mason
Adler & Allan
Mark Roberts Pole Position Scaffolding
Finn Ayris
Haysham Electrical Contractors
Not
Saturday 02nd November
09th November
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
Sample Menu
Farmhouse pate with homemade chutney, classic salad garnish
Belly pork with crispy crackling, mashed potato, caramelized apples, sauteed cabbage and kale
A selection of local cheese served with biscuits
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, not all sponsorship packages include chairman’s lunch invites, therefore you may have to pay VP’s, Club Members & Guests: All welcome, price per lunch may vary between £30-35 per head
