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Category Archives: Croydon RFC
After weeks of mud and guts, Warlingham still have a chance
RUGBY ROUND-UP: With one Saturday of the season left to play, our local clubs’ fates are already decided – with one notable exception. PLUS: a grassroots rebellion against the blazers at Twickenham falls flat as controversial CEO survives his no … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead, Chipstead RFC, Croydon RFC, Johnny Dobbyn, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, PJF, Purley John Fisher RFC, RFU, rugby, Rugby Football Union, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Warlingham, Warlingham RFC
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Trinity manage to shine as local clubs find life’s no walkover
Inside Croydon was first to report the collapse in player numbers in local men’s grassroots rugby. The Daily Torygraph played catch-up with their broader look at the alarming decline in coarse rugby across England. Here, in JOHNNY DOBBYN’s 2024-2025 half-term … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead RFC, Croydon RFC, Hamsey Green, Johnny Dobbyn, Old Caterhamians, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley John Fisher RFC, RFU, Rugby Football Union, Sanderstead, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Twickenham, Warlingham RFC
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How the ‘Mighty’ have fallen: relegation haunts rugby clubs
RUGBY ROUND-UP: After ill-tempered local derby clashes which had more cards than Christmas, and a revised formula for relegation that would leave Einstein confused, JOHNNY DOBBYN pulls on his flanker’s jersey, right, for the final time this season to preview … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead RFC, Croydon RFC, Hamsey Green, Johnny Dobbyn, Lime Meadow Lane, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley John Fisher RFC, Sanderstead, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC, Woodmansterne
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Middling at mid-season: Trinity lead way for bragging rights
RUGBY ROUND-UP: Halfway through the season, the local rugby clubs have so far done so-so. JOHNNY DOBBYN, left, packs down to get you the details If most local clubs went into the season feeling fairly upbeat about their prospects, whether … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead, Croydon RFC, Johnny Dobbyn, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, PJF, Purley-John Fisher, rugby union, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Surrey, Surrey RFU, Trinity, Warlingham RFC
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Memorial matches stand out as rugby clubs prepare for kick-off
RUGBY ROUND-UP: While the England team’s preparations for the World Cup are in disarray following injuries, brainfade and piss-poor performances, the outlook locally is far brighter, with clubs using the off-season to re-group, re-build and, in some cases, lick some … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Croydon, Johnny Dobbyn, Old Walcountians, Purley-John Fisher, Sgt Matt Ratana, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC
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Derby days: rugby clubs face some bumper autumn fixtures
RUGBY ROUND-UP: The publication of the club fixture lists has added some extra edge to some pre-season training, reports BRIAN MORE-ORLESS The rugby clubs in and around Croydon could be in for some hectic times in their clubhouses and bars … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead, Croydon RFC, Hamsey Green, Old Caterhamians, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgifitians, Purley-John Fisher, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC
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‘Counts finish on the up as clubs struggle with league shuffle
RUGBY ROUND-UP: The RFU’s league reorganisation has taken a heavy toll on clubs in and around Croydon these past few months. JOHNNY DOBBYN, right, provides the end-of-season report, and discovers some worrying developments down Croham Manor Road Walcountians ended the … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Community associations, Croydon RFC, John Fisher School, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School
Tagged Alex Dombrandt, John Fisher School, Johnny Dobbyn, Kieran Treadwell, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, RFU, Rugby Football Union, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School
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Warlingham go from top to bottom at the flick of a blazer’s pen
RUGBY ROUND-UP: The club that has dominated local rugby for a decade hopes to restore some pride in their derby against Trinity on Saturday You’ve got to feel a bit sorry for Warlingham in this, the club’s centenary season. After … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, RFU, rugby union, Trinity RFC, Twickenham, Warlingham RFC
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Warlingham take league title without having to make a tackle
RUGBY ROUND-UP: Warlingham kicked off the club’s centenary season in some style, celebrating finishing the season as London South-West Div 3 champions without having to make a tackle in anger. In an extraordinary turn of events, Warlingham took their regional … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead, Clockhouse, Hamsey Green, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC
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Fisher’s ‘strawberry daiquiri’ Dombrandt on a World Cup path
RUGBY ROUND-UP: After two blighted seasons, the past fortnight has demonstrated how resilient the area’s clubs are, with a first Six Nations start for one of their former youth players and two hard-fought derby games which between them were settled … Continue reading
Posted in Chris Robshaw, Croydon RFC, Elliot Daly, John Fisher School, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Alex Dombrandt, Chris Robshaw, Old Walcountians, Purley-John Fisher, rugby, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC
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Rugby clubs’ season’s big kick-off gets postponed to 2021
The club rugby season was due to kick off today. But with barely 48 hours’ notice, amid a rapidly worsening situation with the coronavirus pandemic, the blazers at Twickenham issued orders on Thursday to postpone competitive rugby until January, at … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC
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No scrums, no mauls, no tackling: rugby prepares to return
RUGBY ROUND-UP: Promotions for Old Walcountians and Croydon RFC, relegation for Streatham-Croydon and Chipstead, some big signings for Warlingham, and uncertainty for all, as the area’s clubs prepare for the new season Professional rugby kicked off last night in an … Continue reading
Plenty of derby action assured as rugby season kicks off
RUGBY ROUND-UP: It’s the big kick-off this weekend. No, not that little tournament being staged in Japan, but in Division One of the Surrey county league. The club rugby season gets underway in earnest tomorrow, and this year sees the 10-team … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead, Croydon RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC
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Coach Edwards wings it before MidWives extend their cup run
RUGBY ROUND-UP: There was cup action for Old MidWhitgiftians last Saturday, in the Junior Vase. They followed up a resounding 62-10 win over Fareham Heathens earlier in the month in the first round with a 36-12 win at New Ash … Continue reading
Warlingham bounce back to keep alive promotion talk
RUGBY ROUND-UP: For rugby alickados, the old farts in blazers, there’s long been a sense that the club season hasn’t properly started until the clocks go back, and kick-off for Saturday matches is brought forward from 3pm. And there’s also … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
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Old MidWhitgiftians enjoy a try-fest at Lime Meadow Avenue
RUGBY ROUND-UP: Old MidWhitgiftians quickly got their season back on track with a breath-taking 62-5 win at home against Old WImbledonians in Surrey 1 last Saturday. Andrew Dean scored a hat-trick of tries, fellow centre Temi Okenla got two, and … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, John Fisher School, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Schools, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School
Tagged Croydon RFC, John Fisher School, Old MidWhitgiftians, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, rugby union, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School
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Old boys’ youngsters claim bragging rights over Warlingham
RUGBY ROUND-UP: Old Whitgiftians, after a 20-year exile from London divisional rugby, claimed their first win of the season on Saturday, as they beat Warlingham 22-14 at Croham Manor Road. In the first clash between the two clubs at 1st … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
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Old Whitgiftians are on the way up as champions of Surrey
RUGBY ROUND-UP: Old Whitgiftians finished the league season last weekend by maintaining their unbeaten home record at Croham Manor Road this season with a 41-31 win over Chipstead to underline their status as Surrey 1 champions, with promotion to the … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Hamsey Green, Old Mid-Whitgiftians, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
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Warlingham in peril of relegation for being in Surrey
RUGBY ROUND-UP: The long-standing order of the Croydon area’s rugby clubs could be about to be turned on its head in a relegation battle that depends less on the clubs’ position in their league tables, and more to do with … Continue reading
Whitgiftians move closer to securing Surrey rugby title
RUGBY ROUND-UP: With four local clubs in the division, Surrey 1 was always going to provide some keen interest this season. As Old Whitgiftians, MidWives, Walcountians and Chipstead enter the final lap of the 2018 club rugby race, no one … Continue reading
World Cup-winning captain is helping out at Frant Road
RUGBY ROUND-UP: A World Cup-winning captain is coming to Thornton Heath next week to help Croydon’s up-and-coming young players. Katy Daley-McLean led England to women’s Rugby World Cup glory in 2014, played at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and was a … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Thornton Heath, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Old Mid-Whitgiftians, Old Whitgiftians, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Thornton Heath, Warlingham RFC
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MidWives deliver to set-up top-of-the-table derby clash
RUGBY ROUND-UP: Halfway into the 2017-2018 rugby season and it’s clear that in Croydon this winter, Surrey 1 is where it is at. And after the break for Christmas – no one likes to fill-up the local A&Es with broken … Continue reading
32-try Wilson retires from England, as RFU cuts women’s pay
RUGBY ROUND-UP: She should be recognised among Croydon’s finest ever international sports performers. But at 26, former Warlingham wing Kay Wilson has announced her retirement No real reason was offered publicly, but just hours after her omission from the England … Continue reading
Back from the brink: rugby club survives to kick off season
Down in Surrey 3, the area’s lowest-ranked rugby club began the 2017-2018 season on Saturday with defeat. But the fact that Croydon RFC had a team playing at all was remarkable for a club that was within 24 hours of … Continue reading
Giant Priest rewards Warlingham for their faith with a try
RUGBY ROUND-UP: Warlingham had gone more than a year without a league victory. So long, in fact, that they risked becoming a quiz question on Pointless. But after the batterings suffered last season, the Hamsey Green club has started the … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, rugby union, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Warlingham, Warlingham RFC
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