Witney 2nd XV vs Milton Keynes XV Saturday 21st December, 2:30pm KO
Com’on you Witney! Saturday 21st December 2 pm KO Longlevens XV vs Witney 1st XV
2.30 pm KO To............... Witney 2nd XV vs Milton Keynes XV
2 pm KO Witney 3rd XV vs Banbury 2nd XV
Welcome all to the last weekend of rugby at Hailey Road for 2024. It’s been a great year for the Club with lots that we can be proud of. Managing to field 3 senior men’s teams every week is not easy, and in fact on one occasion we failed to achieve that with our Threes suffering as a result. Our Angels team were managing to field a side for most fixtures but it is touch and go with occasionally just 15 to field, whilst our Academy is not only fielding a full squad every time, but its players are also performing a key function in bolstering the senior sides’ numbers and contributing with some great performances. Well done all players, we aim to make 2025 even better, so if you know of anyone who is interested in taking up the game for the first time or in coming back to it after some time away, then why not bring them along to training. So we are now into the festive season, and tonight is the annual Christmas Jumper party, bound to be a hoot and we are joined by the Cloud 9 acoustic trio. They will be belting out the classics party songs so don you worst Christmas jumpers and get your dancing shoes on. Prize for the worst Dad dancer amongst other things. With our First Team on the road to Longlevens today, our Second Team grace the main pitch at 3pm. Get here earlier though and you can see our Third Team in action against Banbury II, bound to be stonker! So, a Merry Christmas to you all from all of us here at Witney RFC and we hope you have a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2025.
Robert Fisk Chairman - Witney Rugby Football Club
£16 Each On Sale for Xmas from the Bar
The Witney store is a true community store, serving the vicinity for the past 40 years. Stocking everything from wine to wet wipes and bread to bananas, Cannon Pool (as it's affectionately known) is a one stop shop for Hailey Road and the surrounding villages.
Some Christmas facts. The City of Vancouver claims to be the birthplace of the ugly Christmas sweater. We have them to thank for today’s shenanigans. 1 in 3 men leave their Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve. The other two probably get their wives to do it! I’ve stopped buying advent calendars, for me their days are numbered.
Disclaimer: Witney Rugby Football Club, its Chairman, President, Committee Members and any other Alickadoo’s do not bear any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of this section of the match programme, as far as we are concerned it’s a complete work of fiction and should be treated as such. Any complaints should be directed on a postcard to John Campbell Esq the first Lord of Hailey.
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
WRFC Walking Rugby
Dom Coe
Matthew Collins Furniture
Callum Godfrey
Barry Bowles & Tony Maycock
Ben Ling
Glenn Davies
James Merriman
AK Timms
Jack Strong
Jason Strong Builders
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
Rowles Roofing
Jack Daubney
Chris Delaney
Ollie Dawkins
GMD Consultants
Haydn Clarke
Ready Set Solar
Connor Pummery
Drive Engagement
Luke Manning
Ashcroft
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
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! 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
Blanketmen
Mark Roberts
Pole Position Scaffolding
Finn Ayris
Haysham Electrical Contractors
Carl Campbell
Helen Phillips
William King
Tetbury Accounting
Rees Wilson
Andy Billington
Owen Fillary
ADR Services
Rhys Morgan
Hyatt Financial
Jon Derrick
B Wastie Electrical
A massive thank you to all our fabulous sponsors!
Come & Watch Rugby @Witney RFC!
Witney Calling! One of these days I am going to report that all our Teams won last weekend. Today is not that day. Our First Team went down in a close game with a strong performance but came away unfortunately with nothing to show for it. Our Seconds travelled to Kidlington to face Gosford All Blacks, who probably reeling from the thumping our Vets gave them midweek, went down 14 : 10. No disgrace there with a losing bonus point in a very tight game. Our Threes came back into action after an enforced lay off to thump Bicester IIs 27 : 0. Well done lads, a great result and can’t wait to see you go again this weekend at Hailey Road. Our Angels did well considering they were on the road to Kenilworth, third in the league, our girls went down 67 : 12 battling and smiling.
This week Hailey Road hosts a double header with our 2s and 3s hosting Milton Keynes and Banbury IIs respectively
Witney Calling! A SMALL DEED WITH A MASSIVE IMPACT Meet Abi, our awesome U4s and U6s age group rep, and a total superhero. Please read Abi’s story…
“When giving blood, I ticked a box to sign up to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register, On 11th December, I donated my cells. As the primary donor, my cells are going to the University of Cambridge to help optimise a treatment for children with Non-Hodgkinson Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Being a Mum to two little boys, there was no hesitation from me. It’s not a completely hassle-free experience. I had to take trips to London for medicals & endless blood tests, plus I had to self-inject a drug four days prior to donation day to help mobilise my stem cells from my bone marrow into my blood. During those four days, I suffered aches & pains in my joints, bones & muscles, and had flu-like symptoms. All common side effects, and nothing compared to what those in need of a transplant go through.
Witney Calling!
It took 5 hours to harvest my stem cells and within 10 minutes of the process completing, my cells were whisked off by motorbike to Cambridge. Sitting there & hearing the nurse say, “are they ready for them” was quite monumental. I’ve been asked by many what made me become a donor, and I don’t have a clear answer other than to help someone in need. But when I left the ward, a gentleman currently going through chemotherapy treatment stopped me and thanked me for helping to save lives like his, I was genuinely floored - if this isn’t gratitude, I don’t know what is.” Why are we telling you this? Well, the Anthony Nolan Trust need more donors: In particular, they need men aged 16–30 to sign up. Young men currently make up only 18% of the register, but they provide an astonishing 55% of all donations. Young people are also most likely to be chosen to donate as they provide better outcomes for patients and are less likely to have long-term health problems which might delay or prevent donation. If you’d like to know more, copy and paste www.anthonynolan.org for more info. Abi certainly gets a big thumbs up from all of us here at Witney Rugby Club, truly inspirational!
What’s On @ Hailey Road! T 7pm Saturday 21st December, H G I
Christmas Jumper Night featuring live music from Stomp Rockers.
N O T
Clubhouse Christmas Opening Hours The Club will be closed for well earned staff breaks and Christmas festivities on 23rd December. We will re-open 4th January 2025 for a huge game when we welcome Old Centralians to Hailey Road.
Saturday 18th January 2025 Chairman’s Lunch kicking off at 11am. Some places still available so if you fancy starting the New Year with a great lunch followed by a display of rugby from our First Team as they host Swindon RFC. Go on, treat yourself and kiss that no drinking New Year’s resolution goodbye.
Saturday 8th March 2025 Chairman’s Lunch kicking off at 11am. Some places still available.
Christmas Jumper Night! Saturday 21st December 7pm
featuring live music from
Stomp Rockers
1st Things First! Witney XV 17 : 27 Stow-On-The-Wold So, 24 minutes in and we are 0 : 10 down and have 14 men on the pitch. Slow start and ill-discipline costing us heavily in what otherwise would be a very close game. Tom Gaffney halved the gap albeit briefly as Stow struck again; 5 : 17. Rory Atkins rejoined the action just in time to see Stow take a yellow and the advantage swung back to Witney. Who better to make use of that advantage than our very own try scoring Matt Webb, welcome back Matt. 7 appearances, 560 minutes of rugby played, 9 tries, not bad but no conversions yet, but don’t rule that out. Ollie Dawkins got the extra 2 and so we went in at 12 : 17, still very much in contention. The second half started the way of the first with a Stow try, this time converted, 12 : 24. A batch of substitutions and Witney remained competitive, and following a yellow card each, Witney seemed to be setting up a tight finish as Mark Roberts went over, 17 : 24. Two penalties in the final phases gave Stow the opportunity to put the final nail in the coffin and on the second attempt they managed it. Final score 17: 27, a great effort but with nothing to show for it, kicking off cold is costing us massively, but the boys know this and we know they will work hard to address it. Things don’t get any easier though with our First Team on the road to Longlevens this Saturday. Longlevens sit in fourth place but we’re confident our Firsts can see out 2024 with a win in Gloucester.
Come on you Black and Blues!
1st XV Longlevens XV vs Witney 1st XV Saturday 21st Dec, 2pm KO, Longford lane
1 Marcus Reading*
16 Ben Ling*
2 James Merriman*
17 Josh Rihan*
3 Connory Pummery*
18 Jacob Hayter*
4 Finn Ayris* 5 Matt Webb*(CC)
* Denotes WRFC Mini & Juniors Player
6 Gareth Jenkins* (CC)
Head Coaches
7 Rees Wilson*
Adam Copperwheat
8 Cameron Ayris*
Matt Carter
9 Jack Birks*
Wayne Caffekey
10 Ollie Dawkins 11 Tom Gaffney* 12 Angus Brown 13 Sam Turberville* 14 Rhys Morgan* 15 Liam Cook
OFFICIAL MAIN PARTNER
Weston-Super-Mare take advantage of our stumble! 1st XV - South West Division Regional 2 Tribute Severn League Table
Click Here for latest Results & League Table
Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering
Eynsham - Witney - Woodstock
2 Be or not 2 Be!
Gosford All Blacks 14 : 10 WITNEY II XV Very much a game of what could have been. Had we been more clinical in the opposition’s twenty-two then we would have walked away with a bonus point win. Some would argue that two tries from six visits to their 22 isn’t a terrible return, but in such a tight game it proved costly. The game was played in the middle of the pitch for large portions with neither team willing to concede in the arm wrestle. Sadly a 10-minute period in which we conceded some debatable, but overall daft penalties was the difference, as the talented GAB full back kicked the winning 9 points. Once again, this Witney Vipers side showed guts, determination and a resolve never to stop working or give up. Something that has been a non-negotiable for the lads all season. Tries from Dan Webb and Richie Craig saw us come up just short. Special mention to Jacob Hayter, Will Phair, Owen Fillary and George Boswell, they continued their player development and showed that Witney’s future is bright, all performing outstanding well whilst embracing the physicality. This week we welcome Milton Keynes to Hailey Road and how we would love to close the gap to them to just 2 points. A big game to see out 2024, why not get along to Hailey Road and see our Twos battle hard in the Black and Blue.
2nd XV Witney 2nd XV vs Milton Keynes Saturday 21st Dec, 2.30pm KO, Hailey Road
1 Adam Nobbs*
16 Ethan Fillary*
2 Jack Daubeney
17 Wayne Caffekey*
3 Harvey Wattleworth* 18 Alex Foggett* 4 Dan Webb
19 Simon Copperwheat*
5 George Boswell*
20 James Lamb*
6 Jasper Nixey* (C)
* Denotes WRFC Mini & Juniors Player
7 Owen Fillary* 8 Will Phair * 9 Montgomery Hinge 10 Charlie Dunbar* 11 Callum Cope* 12 John Derrick 13 Dan Boshell*
Head Coaches Simon Copperwheat James Lamb Match Official Rudi Du Plessis Julien Cazenave
14 Oli Dee* 15 Mark Greenwood
OFFICIAL MAIN PARTNER
Witney IIs Holding Strong in 5th! Counties 2 Tribute Berks/Bucks & Oxon North
Click Here for latest Results & League Table
Witney 3rd XV 27 : 0 Bicester II
Now That’s What we Call Rugby! What a fantastic return to the field of play for our battling Threes. Five tries sealed the day coming from Zac Way, Ben Colbourne, Lee Taylor, Gareth Campbell and Robbie Mills. Robbie also bagged himself a conversion. But it was the defence that made the difference last Saturday, what a difference from last time out. Very few tackles missed and a massive determination not to cede a try when Bicester came calling, huge effort! Man of the match, Tom Harper, brilliant with ball in hand and stoic in defence, well deserved. Gareth Campbell may have got himself a try, but please remember Gareth, when you tap and go, take the ball with you. Brilliant all-round performance and a massive welcome back to game day. This Saturday sees our Threes kick off the action at Hailey Road as we entertain Banbury IIs. Banbury sit top of the pile at the moment, lets hope our boys in Black and Blue can put a dent in that record. A special mention for Harry ‘The Wizard’ Ward making an appearance at 7, you go Harry! Kick off 2pm, get along and support our boys.
3rd XV Witney 3rd XV vs Banbury II
Saturday 21st Dec, 2pm KO,Hailey Road 1 Tom Young*
16 Darcy O’Brien*
2 Lee Taylor (C) 3 Michael McIntosh*
* Denotes WRFC Mini & Juniors Player
4 Ian Burton 5 Dan Lancaster*
Head Coach
6 Cameron McIntosh*
Carl Strutt
7 Harry Ward* 8 Zac Way* 9 Ollie Walker* 10 Robbie Mills 11 Sam Jones
Match Official Dominic Smith
12 Tom Guyana 13 Ben Colbourne* 14 Alfie McLoughlin 15 Declan Duffy
OFFICIAL MAIN PARTNER
Witney IIIs Up to 6th but challenging 5th! Counties 3 Tribute Berks/Bucks & Oxon North
Click Here for latest Results & League Table
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
I sit and wait, Does an Angel contemplate my fate? Watch the Witney Angels @Hailey Road Sun 5th Jan 2025 KO TBC Silhillians Ladies vs Witney Angels Sun 12th Jan 2025 KO TBC Witney Angels vs Old Northamptonians Ladies Sun 19th Jan 2025 KO TBC Witney Angels vs Buckingham Swans Ladies
Angels Calling!
Kenilworth 67 : 12 Witney Angels Well done last Sunday ladies, a 12 mile walk to the pitch and a very short warm up and we still started off strong and put the first points on the board. So many positives to take out of this game, as always, the points on the board do not reflect the rugby we played. Kenilworth had to work hard for most of their tries and the gap would have been smaller, and possibly in our favour, had some of the borderline decisions gone our way. Undaunted and still smiling we played hard and well. Gabi Louro started the game stating she was going to get a try and she did exactly that. Esther Clifton slotted into a great partnership with Ellen Raymond in the centres, gaining us ground and possession with her kicks and quick thinking in the midst of the game. Ailsa Shaw started the game on the wing but due to injury covered flanker for the second half, we think she’s found her new calling! Ellen Raymond received overall player for a stellar performance in the centres, attacking and defending well until the very end. Tries came from Esther Clifton and Gabi Louro with a conversion from Naomi Godfrey. Overall player - Ellen Raymond Forward of match - Gabi Louro Back of the match - Ailsa Shaw/Esther Clifton No game this weekend so enjoy the Christmas break and have a great New Year.
Witney Angels. Looking Forward to 2025! Women’s NC 2 Midlands (Central)
Click Here for latest Results & League Table
Witney Academy, 3 Teams 4 points above us! In 2025 we can do This! OBB UNDER 18 COLTS DIV 2 OF Oxon Bucks Berks
Click Here for latest Results & League Table
Witney Can Do Magic! Join The Witney Wizards 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
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6 Nations 2025
The club have 10 tickets for England v Italy @ Twickenham on 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
Management Consultancy Contact Gary Dawkins t: 07919 974296, e: gary@excel-finance.co.uk
Chairman’s Lunches @Hailey Road Saturday 18th January Witney 1st XV v Swindon 1st XV Saturday 8th March Witney 1st XV v Thornbury 1st XV To Book: 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