Witney 2nd XV vs Oxford
Saturday 28th September, 3pm KO
Com’on you Witney!
Saturday 28th September, 3pm KO
Old Centralians vs Witney 1st XV
Witney 2nd XV vs Oxford
Buckingham 2nd vs Witney 3rd XV
Sunday 29th September, 2pm KO
Witney Academy XV vs Beaconsfield
TodayourIIswelcomeOxfordRFCtoHaileyRoad,whilstourFirst Team are on the road to Southeast Gloucester for a clash with OldCentralians. TheIIIsarealsotravellingawaytoBuckingham IIs. GoodlucktoalltheboysinBlackandBluehomeandaway.
Oxford RFC was established in 1909 and so for 115 years they have offered the people of Oxford a good old fashioned communityclubwithcorevalues. With3bonuspointwinsfrom 3 they have made an excellent start to the season; even more reasontogetbehindourIIsanddrivethemontowhatwouldbe agreathomewin. Soabigwelcometoourneighbours,wetrust youenjoyyourdayatHaileyRoad.
Here at Hailey Road, we pride ourselves in the contributions made by our volunteers, keeping the Club running and looking great. TodayIjustwanttosayabigthankyoutoMikeEdworthy, a longtime supporter of the Black and Blues, and a selfless contributortotheClub. Mikedevoteshoursofhisprivatetimeto keepingtheClublookingpristine. Abigthankyoufromusall.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our sponsors, and it is always great to see them and their personnel up at Hailey Road enjoying the rugby and atmosphere. Thank you. If you need local business support for any endeavor why not look first at the wonderful companies that support our marvelous Club.
Player Sponsors
Want
Get your name in the match programme, but more importantly you are helping develop WRFC players!
Charlie Bowyer
WRFC Walking Rugby
Alex Fogget AF Automation
Callum Godfrey
Barry Bowles
Ben Ling Glenn Davies
James Merriman AK Timms
Rhys Mrgan
Oxfordshire Plastering Company
Tom Gafney Ian Loughborough
Marcus Reading Celestra
Cameron Ayris
Milfield Contractors Ltd
Angus Brown Fowler Hicks Landscaping
Keir MacDougall
Gareth Lewis
Harvey Wattleworth TW Fitness
Jasper Nixey
Tom Young
Ollie Dawkins
Haydn Clarke
Connor Pummery
Josh Rihan
Jack Strong
Rowles Roofing
SAS Accountants
Excel Finance
Ready Set Solar
Drive Engagement
Moran Plastering
Jason Strong Builders
Player Sponsors
Ollie Toner Drive Engagement
Dan Webb
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 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
Carl Campbell
Helen Phillips
William King Tetbury Accounting
Rees Wilson
Owen Fillary
Andy Billington
ADR Services
Come & Watch
Witney Calling!
Well, that was a weekend we would rather forget with all four senior sides going down home and away. More about the Men’s games later: Our Angels welcomed Silhillians to Hailey Road on Sunday in what was to be a very one-sided competition. The ladies contributed to a hard-fought game but came off well and truly second. It was good to see Steph Harris returning to play. A long-time Angel and former Cherub, Steph is now juggling playing with being a mother to Reuben. Well done and it won’t be long before Reuben is joining you for training sessions. Two taking the field for the first time in Black and Blue; Lulu Clarke and Robyn Stratford, both had excellent games, thank you and a big welcome from all at Hailey Road. Player of the match, and especially so considering her return from injury last season, Izzy Barker. Didn’t miss a tackle and had a phenomenal game.
The big winner though was Witney Rugby Club, fielding a side is increasingly difficult but the ladies pulled on the Black and Blue and gave it their all.
I hope you enjoy all this weekends rugby
To play with all to win, Ed
Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering
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 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
1st Things First!
Witney 1st XV 35 - 42 Longlevens
The First Team hosted Longlevens in what was to become a thrilling 11 try extravaganza, unfortunately Longlevens grabbed 6 to our 5. Tries from James Merriman, Liam Cook, Sam Turberville and of course a brace from Matt Webb, I don’t know what you’re eating Matt, but keep eating it. Liam Cook converted twice before being replaced with Jacob Hayter slotting another 3.
Another improved performance with 2 bonus points in the bag, but it could have been so much more. Giving teams a 14-point head start is hard for any side to come back from, but Witney are earning themselves the title of ‘Come Back Kings!’ Please lads, consider our old tickers and try to keep within touching distance in the first twenty.
But with usual grit and determination the players brought it back to 35 : 35 with 10 minutes to go. A superb performance from the forwards, providing solid set piece possession for the backs. Some great interplay between both forwards and backs led to some awesome tries. One such play, starting on our 5m line, included a mercurial ‘glide’ down the wing from a prop, a pass inside to see the backs round it off nicely.
The building bricks are there, the lads are getting to know each other and will be better together again. We’re on the road to Gloucester this week, Old Centralians are notoriously difficult to beat at home. The weather however may have done us a favour. Witney player of the match was No3 Connor Pummery
2 Be or not 2 Be!
Our 2nds travelled over to new lads MK 1st team having come down from the league above. This was never going to be a walk in the sun, and we were greeted by thunderstorms and a bucket load of rain. The first 20 minutes matched the overcast and gloomy weather as we conceded a quick 17 points, not the best start.
Some encouraging words from the coaches behind the sticks seemed to motivate and Owen Pratt danced over having been put into space by some great rugby! We were now really in the game and were attacking with promise. 28 minutes in and Witney received an interesting red card that certainly changed the game.
Despite this we saw out the first half as the better side. Rory Atkins scoring a great try and Ollie Dawkins slotting the extra 2.
The second half was a bit hit and miss from the boys, they worked hard and continued to attack with real promise, but the momentum had swung to MK. A few defensive and handling lapses cost us dear. Fair play to MK they took advantage of the extra man and punished us. The boys in Black and Blue continued to work and attack in a very fluid way, resulting in scores by Max Benson and skipper Ollie Toner to pick up a try scoring bonus point!
Today we welcome Oxford RFC to Hailey Road.
Oxford RFC was established in 1909, but I don’t think any season has started much better for them than 2024/25 With 3 bonus point wins from 3. It’s going to take an excellent performance from our IIs to upset the Oxford season. e Good luck to the Boys in Black and Blue.
Good
things come in 3s!
travelling to Banbury is never easy, with a weakened side and no front row, it’s impossible. The lads were met by a very strong Banbury IIs and in a one sided encounter They gave it their all, but were no match for Banbury who ran in a bucket full of tries to Witney’s one. We managed 7 points,. Scored and converted by Luke Manning. It’s one game the lads would rather forget but they still played with pride.
Today we’re at Buckingham with a few new faces joining the squad. Buckingham sit joint top of the league on 15 points, however 10 of those points have come from walkover results for Harwell and Grove II failing to field a team. This is the precarious situation Counties rugby finds itself in and further credit to Witney for fielding 3 mens teams on a regular basis, even though it’s skin of the teeth stuff at times. Lets hope our IIIs can pull together and work out a result.
Good luck to the Boys in Black and Blue.
Academy
The Futures Bright!
Royal
Wotton Bassett B 5 - 52 Witney Academy XV
Good preparation, working hard in training and a positive mindset all helped ready the team for Sunday’s game. With the newer Academy players slotting in very well some very strong performances. We travelled with a large squad and the players coped really well to adapt to the multiple substitutions throughout the game, 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 passing 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. All great credit in the bank with just two weeks and limited training time together before our first league game. The players maintained strong intensity levels throughout game. They stuck well to their task and were not afraid to try new plays they have been working on in training. They showed excellent resilience and maturity throughout. The team now need to ensure this approach and focus continues with our first league game just two weeks away.
Thank you so much to family and friends for our travelling support.
Good luck to the Boys in Black and Blue.
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
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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
