MATCH DAY Programme
08 Feb 2026 th
Witney RFC
Sun 8 Feb 2026 th
Royal Wootton Bassett
Chairman’s Welcome
Dob in Dabber !
Dabber Willis has taken up hiding in the programme. All you have to do is find him and win a pint. Dob in Dabber at the Bar on match day, and if you’re the first to do so, you win a pint of ale or a glass of wine. Cheers Dabber!
GREATDAY Awesome Xmascameearly
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
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Where Angels Fly!
We are incredibly fortunate to have some truly amazing women within the Angels. Our captain, Sarah Pentecost, for example, has played over 100 matches for Witney and continues to lead and inspire the team both on and off the pitch.
We are also very lucky that so many of our players recognise the importance of investing in the future of women’s rugby and are willing to go above and beyond to help grow the game at Witney. Many do this by getting involved with the Cherubs. Amber Warner, for instance, who is currently sidelined through injury, took over the U16 girls two years ago and became only the third woman at Witney to complete her ERCA coaching award. Away from rugby she works as a medic, and while she isn’t playing, she continues to support the Angels by providing first aid cover on matchdays. There are countless other women who devote endless hours to facilitating rugby at Hailey Road, often quietly and out of the spotlight. To shine a light on just two of them, we’ve picked a pair of players from this week’s team sheet and asked them to tell their stories — where their rugby journey began, what brings them to Witney, and the roles they play in shaping the future of the club.
A Chat with an Angel Izzy Barker No 8.
A Chat with an Angel Izzy Barker No 8.
Who would you say is the player you most respect?
Sarah Bern, just awesome for Bristol and the Red Roses.
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A Chat with an Angel Hettie McNally, Hooker.
Hi Hettie, what’s your rugby story?
I started playing rugby at 16 and now balance my rugby alongside my career as a laboratory technician at the Mary Lyon Centre at Harwell Campus. My rugby journey began at Writtle University College before moving on to Sutton Bonington and Leamington Spa, where I gained valuable experience and continued to develop my game both on and off the pitch.
How long have you been an Angel?
I’m now in my third season at Witney, a club where I’ve grown massively as a player and found a real sense of belonging. I love being part of such a close-knit, supportive squad and I’m incredibly proud to represent the Angels on matchdays.
A
Chat with an Angel Hettie McNally, Hooker.
So here we are again — the Guinness Six Nations is underway, and what a start. Thursday night saw Ireland travel to Paris for the opener, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. France dominated the first half, with Ireland strangely inconsistent in both carry and defence. The Irish front row held their own early on but began to creak in the second half. The half-time scoreline of 22–0 perhaps flattered France, but it was Ireland who edged the second half.
Final score: 34–14.
Today sees Italy host Scotland at the Stadio Olimpico. What would normally be viewed as a comfortable win for the Scots may not be quite so straightforward. Last season Italy beat Wales and picked up a losing bonus point against Ireland in Rome, and while their summer tour of South Africa was disappointing, they are clearly building momentum and remain capable of causing an upset.
Scotland arrive without their two all-time leading try-scorers in the starting line-up, with Darcy Graham named on the bench and Duhan van der Merwe omitted altogether, both currently a little out of sorts. This is Gregor Townsend’s ninth campaign in charge and, while the team has shown flashes of brilliance, results have too often been mediocre — except, of course, against England. On 14 February he will have another chance to quieten the critics when Scotland face the Auld Enemy.
Back to Rome: if Townsend can harness the form shown by Glasgow in recent weeks and keep his players fully engaged for the full 80 minutes, I see this as an away bonus-point win for Scotland.
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M & Js
Investing in the Future
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What’s On @ Hailey Road!
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.
Rugby is Romance
So this Valentine’s Day, forget the candles and soft music…and head to Hailey Road
Where else could you treat your Valentine on the most romantic day of the year?
�� Roses are red
�� Our shirts are blue
�� Witney First XV vs RW Bassett 2
�� Love, mud, and rugby — what more could you want?
KO 3pm Scotland v England
KO 1640
On the big screens in the Clubhouse
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
How would you like 10% off everything you buy over the bar? With a WRFC Members Discount Card that’s exactly what you get. 10% off all your beers, teas, coffees, sandwiches etc. For a small anual fee, currently £25, you get a year’s worth of discounted products. That’s approximately 50p a week, so one pint of lager a week and you have made your money back, 2 pints and your saving at a level appreciated by Yorkshiremen.
To qualify for the card you need to be a signed up member of the Club.
Interested? email me or speak to any of the marvellous bar staff. ian.loughborough@witneyrugby.co.uk
Building Science, Attaining Excellence
