Congratulations must go to the 8 Colts that played for the 1st,Development XV and 3rds. Special mention must to go Josh Madden who made his debut for the 1st XV away at Oxford Harlequins. Well done also to Lewis Flynn, Lawrence Bebosa, Mark Venter, Hunter Deane-Johns and Will Moss for making their debuts for the Development XV and to James Blake and Matthew Schofield who played for the 3rd XV.

Before I move onto a summary of the games and what is happening this weekend I would also like to congratulate another Colt Harry Bicknell who has been selected for
South West Under 18s.

As we approach the final months of the season I am sure that there will be plenty of opportunities for these players and other Colts to be involved with the Seniors which will help in their player development and their pathway into senior rugby.

On to last weekend’s matches

The Men’s 1st XV travelled to Oxford to play Oxford Harlequins 2nd XV. This was always going to be a difficult games as Oxford Harlequins were in third place in Southern Counties North, one place behind Windsor.

In front of a good crowd, with a good number of Windsor supporters, Windsor started very quickly opening the scoring with a Rhys Mynott try within the first five minutes and Ben Grant Adamson converting it – Oxford Harlequins Nil, Windsor 7.

Oxford Harlequins soon crossed the Windsor line to reduce the deficit to two points.

Windsor replied and increased their lead with Allen Crawshaw scoring. This was converted by Ben Grant Adamson to increasing Windsor’s lead by 14 points to 5.

This was the half time score despite Windsor being reduced to 13 players due to 2 yellow cards.

Oxford Harlequins started the second half very strongly and scored an unconverted try in the first few minutes in the second half to reduce the deficit to 4 points.
A Liam Bailes try helped increase Windsor’s lead to 9 points but Oxford Harlequins continued to fight back and again reduced Windsor’s lead to 2 points with a converted try when Windsor again were down to 14 players following a yellow card.

In what was a tense final 5 minutes where the result could go either way Windsor secured the win when Allen Crawshaw crashed over the Oxford Harlequins line.
This was the fourth and bonus point winning try. The conversion was kicked by Colt Josh Madden making his debut. This was the final score of the game.

FINAL SCORE: Oxford Harlequins 17 Windsor 26

Congratulations to Colt Josh Madden for made an impressive debut. The club would like to wish both Gareth Jones and Ben Grant- Adamson speedy recoveries as they both went off with nasty shoulder injuries.

Vansittart Arms Player of the Match Allen Crawshaw.

The Development XV played Phoenix in their BBO Counties League Match at Home Park. In a side featuring a number of Colts and the return of a couple of experienced players the side put on an impressive display in front of a good home crowd. The side were comfortable winners by 43 points to 12 with Colts Mark Venter and Dylan Jones scoring 2 tries a piece.

The Men’s 3rd XV also played Phoenix 2nd XV in a Thames Valley Invitational League match , again featuring a couple of Colts and were comfortable winners by 69 points to nil.

I would like to thank Rugby Chair Andrew Bailes for all his hard work helping to get three sides out last weekend. A great achievement when one considers that senior player numbers are declining and some clubs are struggling to field 2 sides.

Sunday was also a busy day for the Minis and Juniors with the Minis at the Ealing Festival and the U13s, U14s and U16s having fixtures.
The Dames had no fixture.

THIS WEEKEND’S RUGBY ACTIVITY

Saturday 3rd February 2024.

• Men’s 1st XV at Home to Bracknell 2nd XV ( Southern Counties North). Kick Off 2.00pm
• Men’s Development XV Away to Reading 2nd XV – (BBO Counties 3 League) Kick off 12.30pm

Sunday 4th February 2024.

• The Damsels and the Minis are training at Home Park
• The U13s and U14s have friendlies against Twickenham and Maidenhead at Home Park.
• U15s - Berks League A & B team away at Reading RFC.
• U16s - OBB A team away at Henley and the B Team have a home game with Bracknell.
• Colts are training.
• The Dames do not have a fixture.

Come and Watch the Six Nations at Windsor RFC – The Club needs your support!

This weekend is the start of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.

The club will be showing all three matches this weekend.

The club would welcome your support so that we can create a great atmosphere in the club!

Friday 2nd February 2024:

• ‘Curry Night’ France vs Ireland KO 8.00pm. Bar and kitchen open from 7.00pm.

Saturday 3rd February 2024:

• Italy vs England Kick Off 2.15pm.

• Wales vs Scotland Kick Off 4.45pm.

The bar and the kitchen will be open.

Redevelopment Meeting – Friday February 9th 2024 at 7.30pm.

Reminder there is a meeting in the clubhouse to discuss the proposed Redevelopment of the Clubhouse.

Please attend if you are able to.

Have a great weekend.

Michael Crawshaw WINDSOR RFC Chair