Before I review last weekend’s rugby activity on behalf of the club I would like to congratulate Ben Anderton and Adam Bailes for running the London Marathon last weekend.

With regards to rugby:

Saturday 20th April 2024 Review:

On Saturday the Men’s 3rd XV played their last match of the season.

In an entertaining game and after being 22 points to nil down, Windsor won by 38 points to 22.

Another great advert for social rugby at Windsor RFC. Andy Bailes has laid some great foundations to continue to field 3 sides next season.

Sunday 21st April 2024 Review.

On Sunday The Dames played their last league match of the season away at Ruislip.

In a close game Windsor were victorious winning by 24 points to 22 to secure 3rd place in NEC 2 South East ( West) behind Crowthorne and Marlow.

Well done to the Players & Coaches for a successful season.

Vansittart Arms Player of the Match April Fagan.

YOUTH RUGBY REVIEW:

On Sunday, the Colts, U16s, U14s, U13s and U14 Damsels were either in League or cup action. The U15s had a friendly at home to Maidenhead and the U7s to U10s were at the Slough Minis Festival.

The U15s won by 59 points to 27.

Please see below a review of the league and cup matches played.

Report from George Jupp (Colts Head Coach).

COLTS END WITH 2 WINS!

In what was the final weekend of the colt’s season, the colts were able to field two full squads to take on Chinnor in Division 1 and Banbury in Division 2.

The Colts were able to sign off their accounts with two convincing victories.

The 1xv beating Chinnor by 33-5, whilst the 2XV beat Banbury 28-14.

Comments from George Jupp

‘We saved our best rugby for the final weekend!! There was some outstanding rugby played and some fantastic tries scored in both games. The players were physical and disciplined which is what we knew we needed to be in order to beat both Chinnor and Banbury, but they also were brave to express themselves and take the hand break off.

It was great to sign off with two victories!! I said to the players after the game that we as coaches are just so thankful for the efforts the players have put in whilst on this journey and we know that these players should all be in 1xv jerseys in the future.

All that leaves me to say is we have had a fantastic 7 years, we have coached players, that we have seen go on to achieve senior honours. We have had countless county players, and even 1x make it all the way through to Southwest England. We have made a million memories that we will take with us into our next chapter.

I would Just like to say thank you to Helen Crick, Roland Snooks, Jay Dunbar Newman and Des Nelhams, for all their hard work helping to manage the age group over the years and allowing us to just focus on the coaching.
We as a coaching Group would like to thank Lorna, Sophie, and Abi for being such supportive partners and allowing us to give up so much time to really give our all to the colts, coming and supporting us in the easy and tough times that come with coaching.

To all the parents we have had the pleasure to work with, and to get to know, your support, feedback and friendship contributes so much to the fun that we have on the touchline every Sunday!

Thank you to WRFC for allowing us freedom to really run with the colts and put our own personal twists on the direction we wanted the colts to go in and the structures in which we wanted to play and really grow and expand what is now a very strong colts system for the club to build on.

I’d like to personally thank Matt and Rhys, whilst they will tell everyone I put in the work, it is untrue and unfair for them to go unrecognised for the impact they have on the players. Their 1-1 extras sessions that they put in with individuals to try and get that extra percent out of the player is what makes them the unsung hero’s.

Finally, to the players of the past 7 years! I want to thank you for all your efforts, for your commitment to the colt’s journey, your commitment to the club and your commitment to us as coaches. The player’s attitude is what makes the team, and I can honestly say it never faltered no matter the age group that came up!

I wish all the current colts the best with their exams, and I look forward to seeing them in a Windsor shirt in the future. ‘

Windsor U16s vs Maidenhead U16s.

Report from U16s Head Coach Graham Cunningham.

‘Sunday 21st April 2024 marked the last day of competitive rugby for the 07/08 born Windsor U16’s boys; and what a day it was.

Windsor were victorious over local rivals Maidenhead 21-19, thanks to tries from Matt Bark, Raj Dhillon and Dylan Clash, with No.10 Jowan Bailey’s faultless kicking.

Whilst the required 50pt points differential required to win the OBB Div 1 title was not achieved, the win saw captain Charlie Hedley’s lads finish in a very creditable 2nd place.

A couple of weeks back the U16 B team completed an unbeaten season in Div 3, showing the great depth of talent in the group.

Marking the end of the squad’s youth rugby journey ahead of graduating to Colts, 11 year-serving coaches Laurie Hilton, Martin Litherland, Laurie Warnell, Simon Bailey, Steve Golding and Graham Cunningham celebrated a job well done.’

The U14s played Cup Finals last Sunday at Bracknell.

• The A Team won by 19 points to 10 against RAMs.
• The Development Team lost to RAMs by 15 points to 12.

Many congratulations to the U14 coaches and players for winning the Cup.

Report by U14s Head Coach Andrew Chorley.

‘U14 A Team.

Really strong second half performance saw Windsor ease past a very physical and organised Rams side in the second half.

Score at half time was 5-5 with a try from Toby Chorley from a well worked wrap around play cancelling our early Rams score.

Second half showed Windsor reducing their error count scoring two tries from Dylan Pietersen and Cayden Foster both of which were converted by Toby Chorley.

U14 Dev Team.

A very strong Windsor Development side narrowly lost to Rams.

Windsor were slow out the blocks conceding an early try which was ultimately to prove the difference.

Windsor responded applying huge territorial advantage with a backrowers Sam Brown, Henry Jones and Second row Sam Flynn prominent along with strong carrying in the midfield from player of the match Maxie Noctor.

Two tries saw Windsor lead deep into the second but a late score by Rams nicked the honours.’

Windsor U13s Berkshire Cup Finals.

The U13s played in the Berkshire Cup Finals at Reading Abbey.
In two very close games the U13As lost to Maidenhead in the Main Cup Final by 4 tries to 2 and the U13Bs lost to Newbury in the Plate Final by 5 tries to 4.

Dates for your Diary:

Windsor RFC Dinner and Dance – Friday 14th June 2024 @ Castle Hotel, Windsor.

Tables are being booked. Euphoria, which is the Windsor Boys School Band and come highly recommended have been booked.

• Tickets £70.00 or £700 for a table of 10.
• Ticket Includes:
o Welcome Drink.
o 3 Course Meal
o Ice Bucket with 4 Bottles of Wine per table of 10.

To book your table/tickets please email marketing@windsorrugby.co.uk

The Club needs your support!

Michael Crawshaw WINDSOR RFC Chair