Last weekend the Senior Men 1st and 2nd XV, Senior Women and Colts were in League action. The Men’s 1st XV were looking to bounce back from their narrow loss away at Bletchley. The Senior Women were looking to build on their impressive victory against Belsize Park from the previous week, and the Colts As and B Teams had important OBB League matches with the A Team playing RAMs Colts, a match that would define who would win the OBB Division 1 title.

Saturday Rugby Review:

Last Saturday before the Men’s 1st XV home league match against Chinnor 3rd XV, there was a league lunch with over 50 guests including a table from the Club’s main sponsors Savills, as well as Jack Rankin, the local MP for Windsor, and retired Lieutenant General Philip Jones, who is the Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle. At the lunch John Henson, from Savills, announced that Savills will continue to sponsor Windsor RFC for the 2025/2026 season which is much appreciated by the club.

When the game kicked off Windsor were expecting a tough match against a side sitting in third place in the league especially after a hard fought winner at Chinnor before Christmas.
In perfect conditions Windsor started strongly opening the scoring within the first 5 minutes with a Harry Bicknell try. This was converted by Ben Grant- Adamson to give the home side a 7 nil lead. Chinnor did fight back but continued to make handling mistakes.

Windsor increased their lead during the first half with further tries from Allen Crawshaw, who scored two, Liam Mackay and Joe Triegaardt with Ben Grant- Adamson adding the conversions.
Chinnor did respond with an unconverted try of their own.

Half Time Score Windsor 35, Chinnor 3rd XV 5.

The second half continued in a similar fashion with Windsor playing some very entertaining rugby. Windsor soon increased their lead with Kieran Ghafadgi adding a further try which was converted by Ben Grant- Adamson. Chinnor did respond again with a further try before Windsor added further tries from Luke Budd, Kiarn Ghafadgi and Joe Triegaardt before the final whistle.

Full Time Score Windsor 73- Chinnor 3rd XV 10.

The Men’s 1st XV are now guaranteed to finish in second place in Tribute Southern Counties North behind Oxford Harlequins 2nd XV. With promotion virtually secured with 2 matches to go the sides objective is now to win their remaining league matches away at Wallingford next Saturday and at home to Reading Abbey to guarantee promotion which would be a great achievement after narrowly missing out on promotion last season.

Parfitt Cresswell Player of the Match: Allen Crawshaw

The Men’s Dev XV travelled to Berkshire Shire Hall with a strong squad to play their latest Counties 3 BBO League match. In an entertaining game Windsor ran in 8 tries and won the match by 48 points to 17. The Men’s Dev XV now have a great chance of finishing third in the league with two matches to go.

Sunday Rugby Review:

Senior Women lose in close fought match!

On Sunday, the Senior Women hosted Fullerians Women at Home Park in their latest NC2 South East ( North West) league match and in a hard fought match they were narrowly defeated by 24 points to 26.

Report from Liv Brooke ( Windsor Women Social Media Manager).

MATCH REPORT | Windsor Dames 24-26 Fullerians Women

Today’s match was a true test of endurance, grit, and determination, lasting far longer than usual due to multiple injuries and stoppages. Both teams brought incredible intensity, making for a fiercely competitive, end-to-end battle that kept everyone on edge until the final whistle.

Unfortunately, the opposition did not bring a complete forwards pack, meaning scrums were uncontested from the start. While this changed the dynamic of the game, the Dames adapted well, using strong carries and dynamic open play to keep the pressure on Fullerians.

The team came out firing, with well-worked tries from Jess, Sabs, Lily, and Beth, and two conversions expertly slotted by Beth. Our forwards put in a tireless shift at the breakdown, while our backs executed slick passing and powerful running lines to break through and around Fullerians’ defence.

Despite our best efforts, the visitors edged ahead in the final minutes, leaving us just short on the scoreboard. But this result doesn’t take away from the heart and resilience our Dames showed today.
A huge shoutout to Steph Goddard, voted Player’s Player, and Jenna Oxenham, who earned Coach’s Player for her outstanding performance. Victoria Rafflin brought some much-needed humour to a tough game, claiming Jester of the Match, while Lily Cox was recognised as the Opposition’s Player.

A special mention goes out to Sabs and Megan, who both picked up injuries today. Wishing you both a smooth and speedy recovery – we can’t wait to have you back on the pitch with us!
Though the score didn’t go our way, the fight and spirit of this team were undeniable.
On to the next challenge!

Parfitt Cresswell Player of the Match: Steph Goddard

https://www.instagram.com/p/DG_VyaegJ66/?igsh=ejNnMTdqOWhvcHg=

Windsor Colts OBB Division One title hopes dashed away at RAMs;

On Sunday both Colts sides travelled away to play OBB League matches. The Extra XV narrowly lost to Didcot in their OBB Division 3 match by 39 points to 31 in the morning and then travelled to support their team mates in the title decider against RAMs RFC Colts.

In front of a good crowd with many travelling parents and supporters, the Colts put in a committed performance and in an exciting match lost by 22 points to 20.
A match that neither side deserved to lose.

Well done to Head Coach Matt Stevens and Team Manager Jason Stone and their assistant coaches for all their commitment and hard work managing two squads and making it a memorable season for those players playing their last season of Youth rugby before graduating into Senior rugby.

Report from Jason Stone – Colts Team Manager.

RAMs RFC Colts 22. Windsor RFC Colts 20

The two unbeaten teams in the top division of Oxon, Bucks and Berks (OBB) faced each other in the final league game of the season, with the winner securing the Colts Division 1 league title. Add to that a sunny Spring afternoon, amazing support with many families, friends and club members making the trip down to Reading, and the game granted RAMs 1st team Championship pitch, and the scene was set for a mouth-watering contest.

From the get-go, Windsor pressured RAMs and spent the first 10 mins largely in RAMs twenty-two, though a number of attacking phases were thwarted by the hosts, and Windsor could not deliver an opening score. On the counter RAMs looked dangerous, but strong defense from Windsor kept them at bay. Windsor had worked hard in training on countering RAMs feared scrum and iin the earlier exchanges won two scrum penalties though excellent work by Matt Bark, Randy Karize and the Windsor pack. In a fiercely fought contest that ebbed and flowed it was RAMs that eventually broke the deadlock on 30 mins. Their customary kick to the corner, line out secured and and strong rolling maul they pushed close to the try line. A series of short drives and they went over for their first score, converted for a 7-0 lead.

Windsor went straight back on the attack, and themselves came close to registering a try of their own, before losing the ball forward just short of the try line. The turned over ball was then ran out of RAMs twenty-two, only for a high tackle by Will Rider deemed dangerous enough to warrant a red card. The call appeared harsh as the RAMs player lowered his height coming into the tackle, and that's no longer allowed in rugby. However, no mitigation considered and Windsor would have to adapt to just 14-players for the rest of the game - somewhere close to 40 mins.

However, adapt they did, and on 38 mins, replacement scrum half Lawson Horler, stepped and broke free from a maul inside Windsor’s half. A beautifully weighted kick was fumbled by RAMs, and Horler touched down for a wonderful try out wide. Whilst not converted, Windsor were still in this game 7-5 at the break.

Into the 2nd half, and just 3 mins into the 2nd half, and the RAMs centre broke free for their 2nd try, subsequently converted for a 14-5 lead. However, Windsor struck back and on 45 mins, pressured the RAMs try line with a series of short drives around the base of the ruck, before fly half Jowan Bailey kicked cross-field for Lucas Hayes Garcia to gather and touch down. A well deserved 2nd try and now 14-10. Windsor were then penalised just inside their half and RAMs slotted a well taken penalty to stretch their lead to 17-10. However, Windsor were not deterred and continued to pressurise RAMs in their own half. An excellent line break from Hazza Stevens went close to scoring, before several phases later, a superb step from Lockie Lee, and a sprint under the posts for Windsor's 3rd try, and conversion from Jowan Bailey levelling the score 17-17 on 58 mins. Game on with 12 mins to go!

On 63 mins Windsor were awarded a penalty, subsequently moved 10 m further forward due to a RAMs player dissent. With the game closing out, Jowan Bailey slotted the 3 points with an excellent penalty, and against all odds Windsor were starting to look like their 14-player team could win this game. 17-20 and into the final 5 mins. And then the killer blow, a momentary lapse in concentration and the Windsor defensive line was breached and the dangerous RAMs centre broke fee. Despite being forced out wide, he registered RAMs 3rd try (unconverted) and regained the lead 22-20 with just 2 mins to go. But we were not over yet, agains Windsor came back, and an excellent break by our man of the match, Lawson Horler, pushed Windsor into RAMs twenty-two for one last chance to snatch victory. However, a phase later the ball was turned over, and kicked into touch to end the game.

A wonderful game of rugby for all who made the trip down to Reading, but unfortunately not the result we wanted or maybe deserved. Windsor, playing half the game a player short, were within a few mins of winning this game.
Perhaps a game neither side deserved to lose, such was the quality of rugby on display, but as so often happens, rugby games can be decided on very fine lines, and for this game it wasn’t to be Windsor’s day!

This one may take some time to get over!

https://www.windsorrugbyclub.com/photos/windsor-rfc-colts-vs-rams-colts-mar-2025-part-i-images-by-chris-calver-1133613.html
WINDSOR RFC Colts vs RAMS Colts Mar 2025 Part II IMAGES BY CHRIS CALVER

Didcot RFC Colts A 39 Windsor RFC Extra XV 31

Windsor sent their Extra XV to Didcot for the OBB Div 3 encounter. With an early KO arranged so the players could get over to RAMs to watch their team mates compete for Div 1 title, we were hoping a strong Windsor team could start this day with a win.

Against a big Didcot pack, it looked to be a challenge but on 6 mins a nice break from Joe Rodgers, a fine tip pass to Connall Cahillane who then cantered over for a 0-5 lead. Unfortunately Didcot struck back immediately with their own try and it was levelled 5-5. A few mins later a slick move in the Windsor back line led to Cahillane feeding Finley Pickthorne to sprint free for Windsor’s 2nd try, converted by Albert Nandan for a 5-12 lead. Both teams then cancelled each other out until a break by Albert Nandan on 30 min mark, popped to Yuv Sanga who sprinted over for Windsor’s 3rd try, again converted by Nandan for a 5-19 lead just before the break. However some lapses in Windsor’s defence let Didcot back into the game and two scores just before the break meant at the half way stage the scores were even, 19-19.

This commentator then left to get to RAMs so the write up loses some if it’s eloquence and perhaps accuracy but what we do know is Didcot scored another 3 tries, one converted alongside a penalty, with Windsor registering two further tries from a pick and go from Gabe McIntyre and a nice break from behind a maul by Roque Quayle, the last try converted by Nandan to close the game 39-31

A hard fought game, against A team opposition, sadly not going our way. However, admirable in that Windsor fielded two quality squads (not many Colts teams can do this!), and came close to pulling off a decent win.
Special mention must go to four U16s (James Gibb, Elliott Whitehorn, Oscar Clay, Yuv Sanga) who stepped up to play in this Colts game - well done boys!

This Weekend’s Rugby Schedule:

Saturday 15th March 2025:

• The Senior Men have no fixtures.
• Windsor Boys School vs Canadian Touring Team – Kick off @ Home Park 11.00am.

Sunday 16th March 2025.

• The Senior Women do not have a fixture.

• Minis and Junior Rugby Schedule

• U6s - Home training 10.00 to 11.00am.
• U7s to U10s - Away at Ealing.
• U11 - Away at Reading Abbey.
• U12s - Home training - 9:30 to 11.00am.
• U13s - A team away at Bracknell ( Berkshire Cup).
B team away at Reading ( Berkshire Cup).
• U14s – Home vs Newbury ( Friendly).
• U15s - Home training – 11.30am – 1.00pm
• U16s - Home Training - 11:30am - 1.00pm
• Colts - Home Training - 11:30 – 1.00pm
• Damsels – Hosting West Berkshire Warriors from 1.00pm

Dates for your diary:

• Sunday 30th March 2025:
• Women and Girls Rugby Open Day.
• 9.30am – 12.00pm
• Brunch £8.00 per head
• To book your Brunch for more information please email dames@windsorrugby.co.uk or Whats App 07783 933936

https://www.instagram.com/p/DG3veGKgiPk/?igsh=MTB4NWlub2cwNjh0Yw==

• Saturday 5th April 2025:
• Pre -Match League Lunch when the Men’s 1st XV entertain Reading Abbey in their last league game of the season.
• Men’s 1st XV and Dev XV’s both playing at home.
• Lets make it a big club day to celebrate the end of the Men’s league season.
• If you wish to attend the league lunch please contact Ian Potter – ispathome@aol.com

• Sunday 13th April 2025:
• Semi Finals of the Papa Johns Women’s Junior Plate – Windsor Dames vs Okehampton Women
• More details to be published shortly.
• Please put the date in the diary so that the club can give the side plenty of vocal support in their quest to reach the final.

• Saturday 7th June 2025:

• We are returning to the Castle Hotel for the End of Season Dinner Dance following last years successful and enjoyable event. It will follow the same format with a welcome drink, 3 course dinner and live music from Euphoria Rock who played at last year’s event.

• Tickets now on sale – please book your tickets as capacity is limited!

• For more information see link below:

WRFC Dinner & Dance June 2025 - Windsor Rugby Club shop

• Please note if you wish to pay for your ticket by 3 installments then tickets will need to be purchased by the end of March.

Guinness Six Nations.

Come and Watch the Six Guiness Six Nations at Windsor RFC!
To remind you that the club will be showing the following Guinness Six Nations next weekend.

• Saturday 15th March 2025:

• Italy vs Ireland - Kick Off 2.15pm.
• Wales vs England – Kick Off 4.45pm.
• France vs Scotland- Kick Off 8.00pm.

Kitchen and Bar Open and live music from Penny Brass featuring Billy Porter ( Men’s 1st XV prop forward).

Please come down and again make it a great atmosphere in the clubhouse.

The last time Penny Brass played at the club at the Beer Fest before Christmas it was a great night!

Have a great rugby weekend.

Michael Crawshaw WINDSOR RFC Chair
On behalf of General Management Committee.