This weekend is the calm before the storm that is March, which is always a very busy month for the club. In March...

- two minis rugby festivals
- more youth matches than you can shake a stick at
- some crucial games for the Men's and Women's 1st XVs
- the Club quiz

This Sunday there are games for the U15B (v Effingham & Leatherhead), U16B (v Barnes), and the Colts (v Old Ruts and London Welsh).

Also on Sunday, the Women's XV have a home game v Barnes. KO is TBC.

Men's 1st XV news: There was a massive win for the Men's 1st XV away at Bury St Edmunds (who are 4th in the league) last Saturday: 31-27. Henley (5th in the league) are the visitors this Saturday (2.30pm kick off, U10M providing the ball boys and girls). Do pop down to the club to watch if you can. The 6 Nations will be on TV after the game.

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Saturday (10 Feb): The Men's First XV host Old Albanians at home. 2.30pm KO. The lads will want a win following last Saturday's frustrating draw.

Sunday (11 Feb): A quieter Sunday than of late. If you are not away on holiday please do make training as the coaches will have planned cracking sessions for all. 10am starts for most and the mighty Under 11s are on both parking and cake making duties.

Quiz night - Friday 1st March

If you've not yet signed up I recommend you hurry up as tables are going quickly.

Time: 7 for 7.30 bar open from 6.00 Quiz ends 11ish, carriages at midnight
Cost: £20 per player
Team size: Ideally teams of 8 but we'll allow up to 10
Refreshments: Highly likely to be a lovely curry with all the trimmings
Drinks: All your favourites complete with table service once the quiz gets going
Prizes: Yes there will be prizes and they will be as fabby as ever. Plus there is the cup up for grabs of course and the wooden spoon to avoid
Extras: A Heads & Tails competition with a chance to win real money
To book: email John Woods johnwoods.wrfc@gmail.com

Rugger Rascals - our rugby section for pre-schoolers

Our Rugger Rascals at Wimbledon are still going strong, training with us every Sunday morning under the watchful eye of Seb, an ex-Wimbledon player himself. He is moving away to University in September and they are looking for a new coach to come on board and get up to speed towards the end of this season. The role will be to coach 18mth to 5 year olds in three separate sessions every Sunday morning from 8.45am until 11.30am. This is a paid position. If you are interested or know someone who may be, then please reach out to pieter@ruggerrascals.co.uk. Ideal for perhaps one of our older youth players/colts/u18 girls as well as our adult players.

Pitch Plan for Sunday

We are very heavily into the business end of the season now for all players from 4 years old to their 70s.

Here's what you need to know, where the exciting rugby is, and how you can support your club.

This Saturday, 20 Jan the Men's First XV, fresh from a crucial win last weekend, are playing at home. The kick off is at 2pm against Canterbury, so if you are at a loose end, do pop down to the club to support the team. Even if you can only stay for a few minutes. The standard of rugby is excellent and every supporter helps!

This Sunday, 21 Jan All our minis are at home. Our youth teams have the following matches: Colts A&B teams (v Reeds Weybridge and OC's), U16Girls (v Richmond/Battersea/Wasps BaBas), U15Boys (v Dorking), U12Girls (v Barnes) and the U13Boys hosting Chipstead. Our under 8s are parking and cake baking.

Coming up...

Next Sunday, 28 Jan - The Minis have joint training with near-neighbours Wimbledon Warriors. The odds are away at theirs, the evens are at home.

Saturday 3rd February – The Men's 1st XV play North Walsham (KO=2pm). This is a must win-game as they sit one below us in the table. We are looking for a big home crowd so please do what you can to support the team. There is a £6 burger and chips deal on, and the opening weekend of the 6 Nations will be showing in the clubhouse. Pre-order your burger deal here.

Sunday 10th Mar - the big, huge, Wimbledon Minis Festival!

Saturday, 16 March – Men's 1st XV v Tonbridge Juddians. A huge game for our team and a massive day on the telly as it's the 6 Nations Super Saturday (all 3 matches on in the clubhouse). In celebration of all this rugby we are having a St Patrick's day party with a special Irish stew and Guinness deal. The u11s are on ball duty for the match.

Saturday, 13 April: It's the Men's 1st XV last home game of the season v Worthing and the President's Lunch. This will be a very special day as our Club President, Jim Green, who has served the club for many, many years, bows out as President. A very special club lunch is being organised and early booking for the lunch is recommended. At just £40, it is the perfect way to sign-off on the season, support the team and the club, and say thanks to Jim for a mammoth shift of volunteering. Book your lunch tickets here.

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Happy belated New Year!

After last week's waterlogging it'll be great to be back at Barham Road for the second half of the season. And we have lots to look forward to.

This Sunday - Just about everyone is at home and there are nine youth matches which follow minis training. The weather looks set fair, fingers crossed. As ever, please wrap the kids up. A warm child is a happy child after all! U7 are on parking and U11 are on cake baking/selling.

Dates for your diary

Saturday 3rd Feb is going to be a HUGE, and fun, day at the club. Please fix the date in your diary and try and come and support the Men's First XV as they play a must-win fixture. The lads will definitely appreciate a good crowd. We will have a burger and chips meal deal for everyone and it's the first weekend of the Six Nations so that'll be on the TVs.

Saturday 16th March is an even bigger day! It's St Patrick's weekend and we will be offering a Guinness-and-Irish-Stew deal and £5 pints of the black stuff all day. As a club we are blessed with many coaches of Irish heritage so let's help them celebrate their special day. All three Six Nations matches are played on the same day so you can settle down at the club from 12.30 for lunch and then watch a feast of rugby! The Men's First XV will also be at home playing Tonbridge Juddians (who always bring a crowd) and the team will certainly appreciate the support.

On Saturday 13th April we celebrate our long-standing President and club legend, Jim Green, as he hosts his final President's lunch before retiring from the role. There will be much more to say about Jim over the coming weeks but please let's see him off with a full clubhouse and a drunk-dry bar. This lunch coincides with the last home game of the season for the Men's First XV. They play Worthing and it is highly possible that the winner of this game will stay in the league and the other will be relegated. Clearly - YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU!

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Happy New Year all!

Sadly we are rained off this Sunday due to waterlogging. We fully aim to be back next Sunday (14 Jan).

The only exception is the Colts who have two games tomorrow (P3&P6) who play Esher and Ironsides.

So we've made it to Christmas! Here's what you need to know for this weekend.

Saturday (16 Dec)

Huge day at the club. We kick off with our youth Christmas party/pre-match lunch. For those with tickets (it's a sell-out) please be at the club for 12 noon (and have the tickets on your phone). Following lunch and light refreshments (!) the main event is the Men's First XV who play Barnes. A local derby and a must-win game for our boys. It kicks off at 2pm. Please try and come down and watch the team play. National League rugby is terrific to watch and there are usually tries a-plenty from both sides.

For those who didn't buy there tickets in time (including me!) there will be a BBQ.

There is a raffle with some terrific prizes - Tickets to watch England at Twickenham, tickets for Peter Kay @ The O2, cases of Signal beer

Sunday (17 Dec)

After training we have our minis and younger youth Christmas party.

Timings are... training ends by 11.30 am - then head to the Club House
Prompt start to the Awards at 11.45am. Each year group coaches to hand out awards
Festivities start in earnest at 12.15 with the full “sing a long” of the 12 days of Xmas and straight into the D.I.S.C.O.
Food will be served during the party
The frivolities will end around 14.15 to 14.30
There is an identical raffle to Saturday with the same terrific prizes - Tickets to watch England at Twickenham, tickets for Peter Kay @ The O2, cases of Signal beer

Training resumes on Sunday 7th January 2024. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Pitch Plan for Sunday

The minis have joint training with locals Wimbledon Warriors on Sunday; odds at home and evens down the road (143 Coombe Lane, SW20 0QX). Our U14 boys welcome Portsmouth, Effingham & Leatherhead, and Old Ruts for a round robin, and the U18 girls play Guildfordians in the National Cup, so please do go and support them on Sunday if you can.

PARKING: U11s
CAKES: U9s

Some results
U18G v S&E lost 40-7
Colts v Barnes lost 31-10
U16G v London Irish/Harlequins Amateurs/Teddington won 24-15
U14G v Guildfordians lost 43-28

1st XV update
No game last weekend for the Men due to frozen pitches, but the Men's 1st XV are back in action this weekend away at Worthing. Next weekend, 16 December, is the big one with the Men and Women at home to Barnes and a big home crowd would be great (U12s on ball boy and girl duty).

The injury ravaged Women's XV had a tough loss at home to Hampstead Ladies last Sunday and are away at Hackney Ladies this Sunday.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES
The U16 and above youth teams (both boys and girls) have their Christmas lunch on Saturday 16th December. It's a sit down lunch before the Men's First XV game. Buy your tickets here.

The minis and younger youth Christmas Party takes place after training on Sunday 17th December. Adults buy a festive bap and then select how many hot dogs you need for your kids. Buy your tickets here.

The last date for paying is next Tuesday (12th December).

A chance to be famous/the perfect Christmas present
Looking for that unique Christmas present? Something that says you really care? Something for the man or woman that has everything? Then look no further because we have a deal for you.

You will recall that we recently brought a number of picnic benches and a lucky few were able to fund these and have a plaque on the bench honouring their donation. People used this opportunity to make all sorts of statements and messages. These ranged from remembering a lost relative, bigging up their team or themselves or just taking the opportunity to make people smile. Both the benches and the plaques went down very well. They have been extensively used and people do read and comment on the messages on the plaques.

We are pleased to be able to tell you that we are to have a few more of these wonderful picnic benches and that means there is a second opportunity to have your message engraved on a brass plaque that will be seen at the club in perpetuity. In doing so you will also be supporting the club because, as these additional benches have been generously donated by our clubhouse manager, Steve Novak, we will be able to use the money to fund much needed kitchen equipment.

So get thinking, what or who would you like to commemorate ? A much loved coach, a special tour, the best underXs ever, your Aunty Maud, coming third in the World cup, whatever you like.

As before, the benches are going for the bargain price of just £300 - which is less than cost btw - and well worth it for all the joy they will bring. You need to be quick as we don't have that many so get your bids in quick. Drop me a note on email at johnwoods.wrfc@gmail.com

Pitch Plan for Sunday

The under 7 to under 11s are all away at either Cobham, Chobham or Reeds. Look out for info from your age group managers. Remember the first law of rugby in Surrey: Cobham and Chobham may be only separated by one letter but they are many miles apart and there is always one parent who goes to the wrong one. Make sure it's not you!

We do have lots of Girls groups with matches (U18/16/14 Girls all have games). The U12B and U14B also have matches. Lots going on. It’s going to be cold this weekend so wrap up warm. If you are visiting from other clubs please follow our Parking Policy (see top left of this page) and note that the roads around the club are private roads which are patrolled by the local residents who can issue fines.

SOME RESULTS TO SHARE:
Colts v Teddington lost 34-21
U16G A v Farnham won 64-10
U16G Dev v S&E/Farnham won 45-120
U15B A v Battersea Ironsides won 15-10
U15B B v Effingham lost 33-0

MEN'S 1st XV: Thanks to everyone that made it down to Barham Road last Saturday to watch the Men's 1st XV defeat at the hands of Esher (14-34).

Our chairman, Stef D'Anna, has the following to say about the great turn out from the Wimbledon supporters: "After a full weekend of rugby I'm reflecting on just how lucky we are to be part of this great Wimbledon community. I love winning but I also love being part of something, being part of a club, a community, a community that can have a really positive impact on the people within it. The rugby we played proved we belong in the top 80 clubs in England. And with the commitment from the off pitch match day squad behind the bar, on the gate and at the BBQ we made sure the day was a complete success. Everyone had a good experience. I want to thank everyone who contributed to the day, especially the U10 ball boys who were made to feel part of the squad by the first team boys, reinforcing the player pathway we so desperately want to achieve."

Saturday 2 December: The Men's First XV are at home again this Saturday against North Walsham (2pm KO) who are one below WRFC in the league table so this is a must win. The U11 mixed team are providing the ball boys and girls.

Sunday 3 December: The Women's XV are finally back in action at home to Hampstead Ladies on Sunday.

CHRISTMAS PLANS

Saturday 16 December The u16 (boys and girls), u18 girls and the Colts are having a special Christmas feast. Please can as many parents and players join us for lunch before we all watch the Men's First XV play their final home match of the year. Tickets for the lunch are just £20 each and can be bought here.

Sunday 17 December All our minis and younger youth groups are invited to enjoy a real Christmas party at the club following training. Adults pay £10 and get free hotdogs for their kids. Tickets can be bought here.

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Important things to read today - so please do so!

• Christmas party plans for the minis and youth sections at the club; need to book your food asap
• Huge local derby at the club this Saturday. We need your support
• Keep warm with a Wimbledon RFC bobble hat

Saturday 25 November Our Men's First XV take on local rivals Esher with a 2pm kick-off. This is a must-win game and we know Esher will bring a big crowd. In case you didn't know, our men's team play in the National Leagues, the standard of rugby is high and you can get incredibly close to the action. So if you've not watched the team before bring the kids and come down to the club on Saturday. If you have been before, make sure you turn up!

Sunday 26 November Lots of people at home so check the pitch plan below as a few groups are moved around. Please can parents avoid tramping the touchlines to mud. The u8s are on parking and u10s on cakes. Please respect/support them as appropriate.

Bobble hats Will be on sale at the clubhouse for just £20. These are exceptional value (especially when you consider Leicester Tigers charge £45 for theirs!).

CHRISTMAS PLANS

Saturday 16 December The u16 (boys and girls), u18 girls and the Colts are having a special Christmas feast. Please can as many parents and players join us for lunch before we all watch the Men's First XV play their final home match of the year. Tickets for the lunch are just £20 each and can be bought here.

Sunday 17 December All our minis and younger youth groups are invited to enjoy a real Christmas party at the club following training. Adults pay £10 and get free hotdogs for their kids. Tickets can be bought here.

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Lots happening at the club tomorrow. There's no other way to describe it, but parking will be hell tomorrow (in that there is no parking at the club as we have had to sell our spaces to the visitors for tomorrow's festival - see below)! Please don't try and park at the club and don't park on the private roads around the club - you'll likely get a PCN.

One of the enormous benefits of being a club with a well-regarded reputation is that we are asked to host some of the county's major rugby events. So tomorrow we are hosting the Surrey 10s for the U12 Girls and U14 Girls. The Colts are playing London Welsh.

Note the U11s are away tomorrow so there's more room on pitch 5.

Also, final call for the club's London Lunch which takes place on Thursday (16 November). The club takes over a bar off the Strand and hosts our annual celeb-starred lunch. This year we are proud to have England legend Sarah Hunter as our VIP guest. 12 noon until 5pm. Tickets are £100 per head (or why not book at table of 10). Booking information here: events@greyunicorn.com

Pitch Plan for Sunday