May

May

May

Jan

Dec

May

1st XV

Mitchem, Collins(L), Strutt, *Lamb(J), Monks, Lamb(H), Campbell(G):

Griffiths, Collins(S), Richens, Rowles, Bennett(C), Muller, MacBurnie,

Caffekey

Repl: Serle(Bennett, 20, 50), Fuller(Caffekey-65), McRoberts(L.Collins-70)

VIEW FROM THE TOUCHLINE

Chippy away on a bitterly cold afternoon was warmed considerably with some

fine first half tries as Witney produced some excellent rugby and scored

through Louie Collins, Joe Rowles and Tim Muller. With Ed Mitchem's kicking

boots in good order, the 0-25 interval scoreline was music to the ears of

coaches Phil Harper and John Campbell. The second half failed to live upto

the first with a number of stoppages and mistakes never allowing the game to

flow. Witney scored a pushover from Wayne Caffekey while Chippy's open side

scored a last minute try which was just deserve for the home sides best

player. Some good rugby and defence was good when it needed to be (although

JC's expression when the try was scored did imply he was not happy) too. Tim

and Joe showed great awareness with their "show and go's" and the discipline

was good despite some cheap shots going in as the home sides frustration

grew. Three tough assignments before Christmas (Windsor, Grove and MK, the

latter two away) will really show where Witney are in the pecking order.

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Prem "A"

Witney 2nds 17 - 12 Windsor 2nds

I'll start with some stats this week. Toby had 100% success in the lineout,

one throw to him, one catch. Gareth gave away no penalties, had no fights and

didn't touch the ball when he came off the bench to play in the backs. The

forwards combined weight was over 130 stone and could have been heavier, but

was let down by "Chatts" a light weight at just 15 stone. Onto the match and

the seconds gave a determined performance against the league leaders, who

were unbeaten until they came to Hailey Road. "Copper" got the score board

turning with an early penalty and Windsor came back with a converted try,

when they found a hole in midfield to score under the posts. We then lost Tom

James to injury and this caused a shuffle round in the backs, with Lee

Douglas moving into flyhalf, where he played with great composure. With the

monster pack well on top in the scrums, we were always going forward and had

the visitors on the back foot, with Owen Fowler at 8 making some hard yards

and carring well. From this pressure they conceded a penalty ten metres out,

a quick tap and Aaron did what he does best, darted off, stepped and glided

in to score a fine try, which "Copper" converted. Windsor kicked off and the

ball was collected, controlled and cleared back to Lee who kicked high for

the Witney boys to chase. Some how Aaron got on the ball and found some space

to dance down the wing, as the covering defence came across it was a choice,

either give it to "Fish" or someone quicker! Luckily Lee had followed his

kick and held the inside pass to score a well deserved try, again "Copper"

converted.

Half time came and the Windsor lads were given a real bollacking, while we

concentrated on getting the defence organised for the coming half. Sure

enough they came back at us hard, but Rich, Jamie and Owen all made big

tackles and Rupert out on his wing stopped at least two scoring chances, so

it looked like we would hold on. As it got darker they finally scored in the

corner, but that was to be their last chance and the Witney lads had a hard

earned victory.

As Daz said afterwards, it was a win built on an organised defence and our

dominance in the scrum. Matt, Danny and Jamie in the front row gave it

everything, Rich and "Chatts" challenged at every Windsor lineout, so they

had very little good ball to attack from. All the backs worked hard in

defence, as it was not a half when they saw much of the ball, but the

committment and tackling was great. It was good to see captain "Fish", the

mighty Taafe and Robbie Mills all getting stuck in and the win was well

deserved by all seventeen involved.

"Kevin the Chicken" went to Rupert and Jamie was given "Tit of the Day" for

punching himself and others before the match had started.

Team to be confirmed.

2nd XV

Mills, Taafe, *Dunbar, Douglas, Ignius, James, Lambourne: Brocklebank,

Godfrey(D), Burke, Perry, Copperwhat(S), Chatterton, Haire, Fowler

Repl: Williams(G)(James-20), ANO. ANO