Oxford Harlequins II vs Witney II Com’on you Witney!
Saturday 23rd November, 15.00 KO
Witney III vs Abingdon
Sunday 24th November, TBC KO
Witney Academy XV VS Reading Rams XV Witney Angels XV VS Old Northamptonians Ladies
Well, cup rugby returns to Hailey Road in the shape of the Oxfordshire County Cup and sees both our 2s and 3s in action. It does mean our First Team have a well-deserved rest after their efforts against Weston Super Mare last weekend.
The 2s travel to Oxford Harlequins looking to get back to winning ways, it will be a hard game against quality opposition but the boys are up for it. Our Threes host Abingdon here at Hailey Road, so welcome neighbours, we hope you enjoy your day.
The Club was again honoured to host the RAF under 23 side as they took on the Army under 23s. The game was exceptionally well managed and I would particularly like to thank Paul Copperwheat and his team of helpers; John Williams, John Campbell, Andy Merriman, Derrick Fox and Mike Edworthy for managing the gate and controlling parking. Without their efforts vehicle management becomes a free for all and chaotic to say the least. Thank you.
We were also treated to an excellent BBQ supper courtesy of Darren Webb and his marvellous team of; Les Redhead, Dale Heast, Tilly Heast, Simon Copperwheat, Denise Webb and John Hyat. Thank you, guys, it really was vey tasty and well received by all.
Robert Fisk Chairman - Witney Rugby Football Club
On this day in history, nothing happened! Check out your almanacs, absolutely nothing happens on the 23rd November. Let’s hope our boys and girls in Black and Blue can do something noteworthy.
Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. Most of all, other people can't stop you. Only you can stop you.
RFU South West’s Tribute October Team of the Month for Oxfordshire
Witney RFC 2nd XV
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 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
Ollie Dawkins
Haydn Clarke
Rowles Roofing
Chris Delaney
GMD Consultants
Ready Set Solar
Connor Pummery Drive Engagement
A massive thank you to
Player Sponsors
Want
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
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
Mark Roberts Pole Position Scaffolding
Finn Ayris Haysham Electrical Contractors
Carl Campbell
Helen Phillips
William King Tetbury Accounting
Rees Wilson
Owen Fillary
Andy Billington
ADR Services
Rhys Morgan Hyatt Financial
Come & Watch
Witney Calling!
All 3 teams that took to the pitch in Black and Blue at the weekend won, 100% is a stat we like.
As touched upon in the Chairman’s message, we hosted the RAF v Army U23s on Wednesday night, a great evening of rugby and a true reflection of what is good here at Hailey Road. It was especially nice to see so many of our service men and women, past and present attending, great to see you all and thank you for your service. Also present, and a definite honour for the club was the attendance of RFU President Robert Udwin. Thank you for popping down and sampling life at the best Community Club in England (Source: Author’s Notebook).
RFU President, Robert Udwin with Witney RFC Chairman Bob Fisk
Witney Calling!
Remember these dates for your diary:
Sunday 24th November, Double Header: Angels and Academy. Two teams take to the turf at Hailey Road on Sunday with the Angels welcoming Old Northamptonians and the Academy running out against Reading Rams.
Witney Academy vs Reading Rams 1pm KO
Witney Angels vs Old Northamptonians ladies 2pm KO
Why not hang around for the last of Englands Autumn Internationals: England v Japan. Live in the Clubhouse 16.10 pm KO
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.
1st Things First!
Witney First XV 19 : 17
What a great game we witnessed here at Hailey Road as our First Team hosted Weston Super Mare. At the start of the day just one point separated the two sides with Witney just edging it one place above Weston.
Witney started with 6 regular Second Team players stepping up to fill the gaps, they didn’t disappoint making their mark and giving the coaches something to think about. The game began hard with the boys in Black and Blue dominating field position, but unfortunately not pressing that advantage home. We lost Connor Pummery at the 30’ point, replaced by Ben Ling and that seemed to motivate our visitors who crossed the line to record the first score, 0 : 5.
Witney didn’t stay behind for long with Marcus Reading scoring an excellent try just before half time, and Liam Cook grabbing the extra 2. 7 : 5, and that’s how it stayed until half time.
Second half underway and Weston regained the lead with an unconverted try, 7 : 10. This time it took Marcus just 5 minutes to regain the lead, and again Liam was spot on from the tee, 14 : 10.
1st Things First!
Witney 19 – 17 Weston-Super-Mare (HT 7-5)
Jacob Hayter grabbed a try, his third of the season, and the crowd were starting to believe the game was ours for the taking. Unfortunately, Liam missed the conversion but at 19 : 10 we were allowed to believe. Weston had other ideas striking back, battling hard and with about 12 minutes left grabbed a converted try to make it 19 : 17 going into the last 10 minutes. Witney worked well in defence and the game remained competitive throughout.
Tense but Witney held out for a great result and although there is no real movement in the table, we do move that bit closer to the three teams immediately above us. Man of the Match went to our young winger, Owen Pratt, well done Owen.
Our next outing, away to Thornbury 30th November with a 2.15 KO. Thornbury sit just 6 points above us in the table, so we expect a hard game but then the boys are up for it. Why not treat the missus to a shopping day in Bristol and slip off for a couple of hours and watch rugby in glorious Black and Blue?
Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering
2 Be or not 2 Be!
No game for our Seconds last week so nothing much to report.
Today our 2s travel across Oxford for a County Cup game with Oxford Harlequins II.
Quins have not lost a league game this season and they sit on top of Counties Division 1, so we can expect a tough hard battle as we visit Horspath.
Why not pop across the County’s capital and cheer on the boys in Black and Blue. Sat 23 Nov 2024
Oxford Harlequins II vs Witney II 14:15
The Threes That’ll Do Nicely?
Harwell 39 - 57 Witney III
What a way to return to action! A high scoring end to end competition which could have gone either way but one which the Threes managed to see over the line and in quite some style. Tries came from Ollie Toner x 3, Dan Webb, Zac Way, Jack Strong, Luke Manning, Will King and Jack Daubney. Luke Manning knocked over 5 conversions with Adam Nobbs converting one as Loose Heads tend to do. Man of the Match goes to hat-trick scorer Ollie Toner, very well deserved.
The Threes provide the Hailey Road faithful with full strength entertainment as they host Abingdon in the Oxfordshire County Cup today, 3pm Kick Off. Abingdon sit just below our Seconds in Counties 2 and so this is not going to be an easy game. Let’s hope they continue to score freely and get the result they need. So why not take a break from endless Christmas music, questions about what to buy Auntie Joan and which meat to order for Boxing Day, come up to Hailey Road for a feast of epic rugby. Husbands also welcome!
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
All Blacks vs Witney Vets
Wed 11th December, KO 19:30, Kidlington
I sit and wait, Does an Angel contemplate my fate?
Watch the Witney Angels
@Hailey Road
Sun 24 Nov 2024
KO TBC
Witney Angels vs Old Northamptonians Ladies
Sun 01 Dec 2024
KO TBC
Oadby Wyggestonian Women vs Witney Angels XV
Sun 15th Dec 2024
KO TBC
Kenilworth Women II vs Witney Angels
Calling All Angels!
No match report for our Angels and so just a plea from Witney RFC on behalf of the ladies. If you, or someone you know is interested in joining an excellent bunch of women, get fit and most of all have fun with people who will become friends for life; then why not come along and see if Angel rugby is for you? No previous experience required, no age or body shape restrictions, just a desire for you to enjoy training with like minded people. Try it, you may just be the missing link we are looking for.
Next Up: Sunday 24th November. KO TBC
Witney Angels Ladies TBC vs
Old Northamptonians Ladies
Old Northamptonian Ladies have got a win under their belt when they ran out against Coventry Welsh, but that’s not going to deter our Angels from putting in 100% and most of all, having fun. Let’s hope the girls can get their season properly under way and bag their first win.
Why not pop up the Club, watch the Angels and hang around for England v Japan, both teams need all the support they can get.
Saturday 02nd November
England vs New Zealand KO 15:10
Saturday 09th November
England vs Australia KO 15:10
Saturday 16th November
England vs South Africa KO 17:40
Sunday 24th November
England vs Japan KO 16:10
Witney Academy. Back To Winning Ways!
Bracknell Colts 5 - Witney Academy 21
A solid run out from the boys on Sunday, working through the phases resulted in 3 strong tries. If we’re being picky, we still didn’t create enough opportunities or create enough space for our players out wide, but it was an improvement on the previous week. Our lineouts worked well, our lifting was clean the throwing neat and tidy for the most part. Knock-ons were still a bit of an issue and resulted in frequent loss of possession, we need to tighten up in contact and be ready to receive the ball when supporting in open play. Training will focus on moving the ball away from contact more quickly and leading with the body not the ball to avoid losing possession. That said, definitely a BIG step in the right direction for our Academy lads. The Team is gelling well, on and off the pitch, this week’s Friendly Fun was to don a silly hat and everyone certainly achieved that, but Reuben Owen won the day.
Tries came from Jack Larkin x 2 and Finn Knox, with Ed Bee converting everything. Leon Conway was rightly nominated Man of the Match.
This Sunday sees our Academy hosting Reading Rams Colts B. The Rams are mid table with one from three but our boys won’t be complacent. Why not pop-up Hailey Road and see the best our youth programme has to offer.
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!
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
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
