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Category Archives: Old Walcountians
Walcountians to celebrate Clockhouse’s diamond anniversary
One local rugby club will be celebrating a special anniversary next month. Here, OWRFC President STEVE SIMMONDS outlines the plans, recalling the day that a future Lions captain came down to Woodmansterne to help open their clubhouse Wallington County School … Continue reading
Posted in History, Old Walcountians, Rugby Union, Schools, Sport
Tagged 60th anniversary, Beddington Park, Clockhouse, Mike Campbell-Lamerton, Old Walcountians, Old Walcountians Association, Old Walcountians RFC, OWRFC, Steve Simmonds, Wallington, Wallington County Grammar School, Woodmansterne
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Old Walcountians: Want to play rugby? Then join our club!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Old Walcountians: Want to play rugby? Then join our club!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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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Rapid decline in numbers shows that ‘coarse’ rugby is ‘at risk’
The club rugby season is well underway, with a couple of crunch derbies this Saturday – Old Walcs against Purley John Fisher, and Streatham and Croydon versus Warlingham. But will all local sides be able to field a full XV? … Continue reading
Posted in Elliot Daly, Marland Yarde, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead RFC, Croydon, Johnny Dobbyn, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, rugby, Trinity RFC, 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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WSC Charity Race Night, Woodmansterne, Mar 22
Posted in Activities, Charity, Old Walcountians
Tagged charity, Old Walcountians, Race Night
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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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Police make arrest in murder inquiry over sergeant’s shooting
England’s rugby players paid tribute at Twickenham yesterday to Matt Ratana, the rugby-playing police sergeant who was shot dead while on duty Croydon in September. The emotive gesture came the day after the police announced that they had arrested a … Continue reading
Posted in Old Walcountians, Policing, Rugby Union
Tagged Matt Ratana, Old Walcountians
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Rugby mates rally round to get SPOTY honour for Ratana
Matt Ratana’s rugby mates are rallying around to get the murdered Croydon police officer honoured at this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. Thousands of rugby players from across the south-east, including members of Old Walcountians, where Ratana … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Old Walcountians, Rugby Union, Sport, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Matt Ratana, Old Walcountians, 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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Walcountian clubmates offer their tributes to shot policeman
The police sergeant killed at Windmill Road custody centre in the early hours of Friday has been named as Matt Ratana, a 54-year-old with 30 years’ service in the Met and who was just weeks away from taking retirement. Ratana … Continue reading
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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Whitgift are denied a final double by Wellingtons’ non-boot
RUGBY ROUND-UP: It was ecstasy and agony at Allianz Park for Whitgift School last weekend as they came within a clause in the rule book from getting both their teams through to Twickenham finals later this month. The South Croydon … Continue reading
Posted in Elliot Daly, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Schools, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School
Tagged Old Mid-Whitgiftians, Old Walcountians, Purley-John Fisher, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School
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Struggling Whitgiftians face tough derby trip to Hamsey Green
RUGBY ROUND-UP: Croydon sides are top of Surrey 2 and second in Surrey 1 going into the Christmas break It’s the Big One at Hamsey Green tomorrow, the hottest derby fixture in Croydon rugby, with the district’s two top sides … Continue reading
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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