Last Saturday the Men’s 1st XV entertained league leaders Oxford Harlequins 2nd XV in their latest Tribute Southern Counties North league match at Home Park. This first versus second in the league clash had all the potential to be an exciting game as Windsor were looking to avenge the defeat away in October.

It was also a special day for long serving player Adam Bailes who started his career in the Minis at 5 years of age, as he led the side out to mark his 100th first team game.

Neither side disappointed the expectant crowd with both sides producing an enthralling match that has received comments of being the ‘best game at Home Park for twenty years’.
Windsor also put in their best performance for many seasons in what was a very fast and competitive match.

When the game kicked off signs did not look good after Oxford Harlequins opened the scoring in the first few minutes with a breakaway try which was converted. Despite the early 7 point lead Windsor continued to compete and match their opponents and the first half ended with Oxford Harlequins leading by 17 points to 10.

The second half kicked off and Windsor scored early in the half to level the score at 17 all. Windsor continued to compete fiercely and despite being reduced to 14 players in the last 10 minutes were able to secure a 22 point to 17 victory much to the delight of the home crowd.

Windsor now have consolidated their position as second in the league behind Oxford Harlequins. This was further helped by Reading Abbey who defeated third placed Chinnor 3rd XV.
The challenge now for Andy Symons , his coaching team and the players is to maintain this winning streak for the remainder of the season.

Parfitt Cresswell Player of the Match: Harry Bicknell.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFAhUHdIju5/?igsh=YWdmcnMxbzRyb3kx

Big thank you to Snap Fitness for their continued support of Windsor Men’s 1st XV.

Jason Cooling, Manager of Snap Fitness Windsor, was guest of the club at the Pre-Match League Lunch. Snap Fitness are a proud sponsor of Windsor RFC Men’s 1st XV with their logo on the sleeve of the shirts. At the lunch Club Secretary Graham Birch presented Jason with a Men’s 1st XV Shirt.

The Club would like to thank Jason and Snap Fitness for their support of Windsor RFC..

Remember if you are looking to get fit Snap Fitness offer a discounted membership rate for Windsor RFC members.

For information please see link below.

Benefits of getting a WINDSOR RFC Membership Card

Adam Bailes receives his 100th Cap!

After the Men’s 1st team match Adam Bailes was presented his 100th cap by his father and Chair of Men’s Senior Rugy, Andy Bailes to mark what was a proud day for the Bailes Family.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFBYITixg93/?igsh=ZnRicm04NnN0MXpj

Sunday 19th January 2025 Review:
Last Sunday was a busy schedule at Home Park with the U14s , U16s and Colts all in league action.
The Colts played Oxford in their OBB Div 3 game and won by 40 Points to 7. The U16s hosted Witney in their OBB U16s league match and won by 24 points to 3. The U14s also won their Berkshire Cup match and will now play Maidenhead in the Berkshire U14s Cup Final on Sunday February 9th 2025 at Home Park.
The 16s coaches, manager players and parents would also like to thank Men’s 1st Team players for their coaching support on Sunday morning. It was much appreciated by everybody and highlights how both the Adult and Junior sections are working effectively together as ‘one club’.
Reports on both the Colts and U16 games are below:
Colts Report from Colts Manager Jason Stone:
Windsor Colts 40. Oxford Colts A 7

Windsor Colts entertained a high flying Oxford A Colts team on Sunday at Home Park,
Oxford sitting 2nd in the OBB Div 3, and with just one A team were always going to be a challenge, so it was comforting to be able to rest 14 players and still field a very strong squad for this contest.
The first half was evenly contested, but unusually error strewn with dropped passes and some wayward kicking, however after a scoreless first 30 mins, Windsor got their act together to send Lucas Hayes-Garcia under the posts for an opening score, swiftly converted by Jowan Bailey for a 7-0 lead. Then followed a passage of dominance from our visitors, resulting in a converted score just before the break to close the half 7-7.
Windsor made a number of changes at the break, and quickly started to dominate proceedings leading to a fine score from Adam Loo, converted by Bailey, moving Windsor ahead 14-7. The contest then waxed and waned for 15 mins before Ben Mongey registered a try, again converted by Bailey. This score was quickly followed by a 4th bonus point try, scored and converted by Jowan Bailey, for a 28-7 lead. In the last 10 mins of the game, two more Windsor scores followed, the first from a Billy Nieland surge over the white wash, and the 2nd a beautifully executed tip from Mongey to send his centre partner, Lucas Hayes Garcia in for his 2nd try. With one of these two tries converted by Hayes-Garcia, the game closed with an impressive 40-7 Windsor win, and movement to 3rd in the OBB table
U16s Report from U16s Head Coach Duncan Gibb.
Windsor U16 A v Witney U16A
Windsor welcomed Witney RFC to Home Park on Sunday for the next round of the U16 OBB Division 1 League. Windsor were looking to continue their good form from before Christmas against Maidenhead (won 39-17).
Witney kicked off deep to start the match, Windsor immediately spun the ball wide and broke down the wing making over 50m but failing to make the crucial last pass and a try went begging, a good positive start though!
The Windsor pack were dominant in the scrum and maul, with their hooker Seb Pessoa Comley in the driving seat, driving Witney back almost at will but it took 8 minutes for the pressure to finally tell. Following good work from Elliot Whitehorn, James Gibb broke a would be tackle to score under the posts and give Thomas Schofield the easiest of conversions.
Witney then had a large period of sustained pressure deep in the Windsor half, Windsor's defence held firm with notable defensive work from Daniel Philp, Noah Homer, Will Oakley and Kian Van Der Merve in the pack.
Just before half time Windsor winger Tom Shepherd scampered in from a bounce pass that left the opposition flat footed, Scofield took on the conversion from the touchline and fell agonisingly short by just a few inches, Windsor headed into halftime 12-0 up and in a tough match.
The second half started with a bang with Windsor's co-captain Lawson Horler scoring less than two minutes in following a good scrum by the Windsor pack, picking and going from the scrum half position.
With less than 10 minutes to go, following sustained pressure by Windsor on the Witney try line and repeat penalties, Lawson Horler took a quick tap penalty to score the bonus point try which was duly converted by Thomas Schofield, wrapping up the match 24-3.
Man of the match was Daniel Philp in the backrow who worked tirelessly all game stemming any Witney attacks with his typically abrasive defensive style!
A special thanks to Gareth Gibson and Billy Porter from the men’s first team who coached and warmed the boys up for this fixture, who now have a 100% win rate!

THIS WEEKEND’S RUGBY SCHEDULE:

Saturday 25th January 2025:

• Men’s 1ST XV HOME vs Wallingford ( Tribute Southern Counties North). Kick Off 2.00pm.

• Men’s Dev XV AWAY vs Farnham Royal ( Counties 3 BBO League). Kick Off 2.00pm.

• Men’s 3rd XV AWAY vs Tadley ( Counties 4 BBO League). Kick Off 2.00pm.

Sunday 26th January 2025:

On Sunday the Women and Girls have an Open Day and Double Header with both the Dames and Damsels having league matches.

An important day for the club as we continue to grow and develop the Women and Girls game at Windsor RFC with both the Women’s Six Nations and more importantly the Women’s World Cup taking place in England in August 2025.

Please see the full schedule below:

• Windsor Dames HOME vs High Wycombe ( NC2 South East ( North West) League). Kick Off at Home Park 2.00pm

• U6 to U12 - Training at Home Park - 9:30 to 11.00am
• U13s – HOME vs High Wycombe ( Friendly)
• U14s - B team AWAY vs Hungerford – A Team squad training at Home Park.
• U15s - Training at Home Park 11:30 to 1.00pm.
• U16As - OBB League HOME vs Reading at Home Park.
• U16Bs – Home vs Reading ( Friendly).
• Colts - OBB A team AWAY vs Chinnor Colts.

• Damsels - U14s HOME vs Basingstoke . Kick Off at Home Park 1.00pm
• Damsels - U12s Pitch Up and Play Festival @ Home Park @ 1.00pm

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

• Saturday 8th February 2025:

• The Senior Women’s First League Lunch of the season when Windsor Dames host Ruislip in their NC2 South East ( North West) league match.
• For more information and to book your place , please email dames@windsorrugby.co.uk

Come and support the Dames have lunch and watch the England vs France ‘ Six Nations’ match on TV in the clubhouse if you are not going to Twickenham.

• 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.

More details to follow in due course but please put the date in your diary!

GUINNESS SIX NATIONS:

Come and Support the Club!

The Guinness Six Nations will be shown in the clubhouse. The England matches will be shown as a minimum with the bar and kitchen being open.

More details to follow shortly.

Key Dates:

• Friday January 31st 2025:
• France vs Wales ( Kick Off 8.15pm).
• Saturday February 1st 2025:
• Scotland vs Italy Kick Off 2.15pm.
• Ireland vs England Kick Off 4.45pm.

• Saturday February 8th 2025 ( Windsor Dames Home Match vs Ruislip PLUS League Lunch- see above).
• Italy vs Wales ( Kick Off 2.15pm).
• England vs France ( Kick Off 4.45pm).

• Sunday February 9th 2025:
• Scotland vs Ireland ( Kick Off 3.00pm).

• Saturday February 22nd 2025:
• Wales vs Ireland ( Kick Off 2.15pm).
• England vs Scotland ( Kick Off 4.45pm).

• Sunday February 23rd 2025:
• Italy vs France ( Kick Off 3.00pm.

• Saturday March 8th 2025 ( Windsor Men’s 1st XV vs Chinnor 3rd XV PLUS LEAGUE LUNCH).
• Ireland vs France ( Kick Off 2.15pm).
• Scotland vs Wales ( Kick Off 4.45pm).

• Sunday March 9th 2025:
• England vs Italy ( Kick Off 3.00pm).

• Saturday March 15th 2025: ( Super Saturday):
• Italy vs Ireland ( Kick Off 2.15pm).
• Wales vs England ( Kick Off 4.45pm).
• France vs Scotland ( Kick Off 8.00pm)

Have a great rugby weekend and good luck to all sides in League action this weekend.

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