What’s on at the club

wHATS HAPPENING AT THE CLUB

GAMES NIGHT FRIDAY 24th FEB

Games night in the club, We have Open The Box which is now up to £410 Jackpot and this month is the last chance to enter. Tonys fantastic Meat draw and Our very popular music quiz played out on the TV screens (you will need a smart phone to enter)

Friday we will have Happy hours 6-8pm with £1 off a pint (T&C’s apply please check poster in club and Facebook)

Littlemore XV v Wheatley II Sat 25th Jan

Littlemore play the home field KO 2pm in what could be a cracking friendly. We will have refreshments pitch side and please check Facebook for updates on the day

6 Nations starts Friday 31st Jan

We will have all 6 Nations matches playing in the club on the 120″ big screen. Keep an eye out as we may have drink promotions on during the Games

Exciting changes to our Sky Package

From February we will have Sky Q. This will now allow us to televise all Oxford United games that are on Sky Tv

Littlemore XV v Reading III Sat 1st Feb

Littlemore Home game KO 2pm in a league match against Reading III. Then up to the club house to watch England v Ireland 4:45pm KO.

We will have refreshments pitch side and please check Facebook for updates on the day

The Electric Jam Thursday 6th Feb

FREE ENTRY every other Thursday. The best local talent take to the club for a jam session. Playing the best Jazz, Rock and Blues tunes. Come and enjoy the fun

Games Night Fri 21st Feb

Games night in the club, We have Open The Box Tonys fantastic Meat draw and Charity Bingo for MacMillan. All proceeds go to MacMillan Cancer support

Hazy Soul Band Sat 1st March

FREE ENTRY…..Come and enjoy fantastic live music at the club.

Come join the team

Fancy putting on your boots and coming to join us. Feel free to pop down on a Thursday night 7-8pm and join in training

December 4, 2024December 4, 2024

Littlemore U13 Take to the pitch for a County Cup Game

The day began under a grey, damp sky, but spirits were high as Littlemore and Abingdon’s U13 combined team, now proudly called Abimore, prepared for their Oxfordshire County Cup clash against the undefeated Didcot U13s.

It has been many years since Littlemore hosted a competitive U18s match, making this encounter even more special. Seeing the next generation of talent taking to the pitch ignited hope and excitement for the future, as these young players could one day bolster the ranks of the men’s team.

Didcot, known for their formidable record this season, showed why they were unbeaten, finishing with a victory. However, Abimore achieved something no other team had managed so far this season – running in a try against them. This moment was a testament to the heart, resilience, and determination shown by the lads.

Throughout the match, the team gave everything, battling fiercely until the final whistle. Their energy and commitment were palpable, as they left nothing on the pitch.

Post-match, the players showcased camaraderie and respect as they donned their club ties and shared a meal with Didcot. It was a reminder of the true spirit of rugby – competition paired with sportsmanship.

Despite the loss, the game was an inspiring experience for both players and supporters. It marked a significant moment for Littlemore and Abingdon rugby, serving as a stepping stone for the future. Here’s to the next match and the continued growth of this promising team!

November 10, 2024November 15, 2024

Reading III v Littlemore

They say things always come in threes.

Littlemore’s second journey east of the season demonstrated There is truth to this as the blue team’s fortunes rested on two contrasting triplets.

The first is wonderfully positive. Littlemore’s best work of the season could be seen in the first 20 minutes characterised by togetherness, commitment and resolute defence. Try number one was the result, the ball intercepted by Will Massey who surged away to touch down, with the conversion added by the trustworthy boot of Massingham.

The second triplet is more problematic. The good work seen in the first twenty minutes was undone by ill-discipline and loose tongues. Will Massey and Fergus Alexander picking up yellow cards in succession, leaving Reading with two extra men and a try before halftime to bring the deficit to two at the break.

Reading continued to make numbers pay after halftime, scoring twice more before the returning Grant Thomas, made a welcome return to the field to replace the perennially injured youngest Massey, slotting into his familiar role at hooker.

The game looked to be slipping away. But, cometh the hour, cometh the man. Callum Dickerson, who showed real attacking intent throughout the match, coming in off his wing to barrel through the back-pedalling Reading defence to score the second of a trio of beauties for Littlemore.

The game felt tight, each team looking for an edge, throwing punches in the hope of a knockout blow. Reading landed first but Littlemore wasn’t down and out yet. One more cracking try brought Littlemore within one. Massingham skipping round tackles down the left to make it three tries in his first two games.

The rule of three was completed once, three wonderful tries were scored for Littlemore, but still a point behind. A grandstand finish seemed possible until the second three came to a sudden conclusion. Fergus Alexander found yellow card number three, and his second of the game, to leave Littlemore’s aching legs with too much to do.

Reading brought on their own fresh legs and both Reading’s backs and the game ran away from Littlemore, scoring four quickfire tries to settle it.

They say three is the magic number. For Littlemore today, it depends on which three.

The final score, 42-19.

October 28, 2024November 15, 2024

Littlemore v Aylesbury III

After a couple of weeks off, Littlemore took to the field again Saturday afternoon against Aylesbury 3rds, in a game that will go down as one of the best in recent seasons.

Due to injuries and unavailability, Littlemore only had 12 on the team sheet until 1 p.m., when Russ Hixon received the news that forward Darren Warne was heading their way to help bring up the numbers.

Aylesbury had only arrived with 16 but agreed to a 13-a-side game to get things going. Both sides donned different shades of pink for their match shirts, and with the autumnal sunshine bearing down on the players and spectators, it was game on.

Receiving the ball from kick-off, Littlemore established themselves quickly into the game, showing repeated threatening attacks into the Aylesbury half of the pitch, and controlling much of the first 20 minutes. Had it not for the defensive efforts of the experienced Aylesbury no 4, Littlemore would have certainly had 1 or 2 early scores. But all was not lost. From halfway, debutant Hayden Massingham received the ball on his wing and set off on a weaving run amongst the scattered Aylesbury defence and covering a huge amount of ground, before managing to get the pass away to Centre Jack Massey to touch down under the posts. Hayden was also designated kicker for the game and stepped, showing off his footballing skills to nail the conversion 7-0

Aylesbury didn’t seem phased. From the restart, Aylesbury managed to get a grip of their game and have much of the possession and territory for the remainder of the first half. If it wasn’t for their poor efforts at the line-out, and continued turnover from Lock Darren Warne, it would have certainly been Aylesbury leading going into half-time.

Despite some heroic defensive efforts on their own try line from the Littlemore players, it would be an unfortunate and untimely mistake at the scrum that gifted Aylesbury their first Try.

From the restart, Massingham was instructed to use his speed and chase the kickoff. For what will probably end up as the try of the season, his timing was impeccable. A missed catch from the Aylesbury receiver, the ball ricocheted into the hands of Massingham for him to have a clear run in under the sticks for his first try! With the sideline supporters still cheering him, he stepped up and slotted his second conversion before the halftime whistle. 14-7

Half time chat was positive, but it was agreed that we needed to switch back on quickly if we wanted to keep a grip on the game. An instruction that was soon forgotten at the kick-off, as ill-discipline and repeat offences, quickly saw Littlemore having to defend their own try line again.

A tap penalty saw the giant Aylesbury no 4 steamroll over the Littlemore defender, and touch down for their second try of the game.

In an opportunity to level the scores, the Aylesbury kicker sent the ball wide of the posts.14-12

With no substitutions, the Littlemore lads had to dig deep, and dig deep they did!

Holding their own in the scrum, continuing to control the line outs, backs getting good runs with the ball in hand, and turnovers at the breakdown, it was a great second half for Littlemore.

Jack Massey & Massingham soon found themselves linking up again, with Massey spotting the space in behind, and putting in a well-balanced kick for Massingham to chase. It was a footrace to the ball for him and his opposite number, (which turned out to be the unfortunate receiver of the kick-off for Massingham first) but Massingham’s pace was enough for him to dot the ball down for his second of the day. This time unfortunately, the conversion attempt just fell short, but Littlemore found themselves with a good lead for the remainder of the game and knew they couldn’t afford to lose concentration.

Aylesbury knew time was running out, and literally threw everything they had in their armoury to try and bag another score. Even with fresh legs on, it was not meant to be. Mishandling and turnover possession was to be their downfall.

19-12 at the final whistle, with a team performance, and Man of the Match performance for Hayden Massingham on debut.

– DW

July 26, 2024November 15, 2024

Littlemore rugby club AGM

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Following Thursdays AGM your officers of the club for 2024-2025 are:

President : Tim Stevens

Chairman: John perry

Vice chairman: Neil Scott

Minis chairman: Keiron King

Treasurer: Julie Carlin

Secretary: Charlotte Horton

1st XV Captain Jason Chambers

Fixtures Sec: Russell Hixon

Memberships sec: Jason Chambers

Publicity officer: Grant Wilson

Safeguarding Officer : David Lammin

Stay on as committee members Nicola Rudman, James Crawford and Tony Fay

We welcome new members to the committee Richard Garrett, Paul Evans, Kyle Auterson, Hayden Massingham

We would like to thank our outgoing committee and officers, Emma Turner and Grant Thomas who have done great work for the club over the last few years

A special Thank you Goes to Kelly Gillett and Lee Gillett. After decades of service to the club, Guiding us through hard times such as covid and cost of living. They have decided to step back, take a well earned break and enjoy the club.

March 3, 2024November 15, 2024

Littlemore mins at the Oxford Qinns Fest

Thanks to Oxford Harlequins for hosting another fantastic Minis festival today.

The Great British weather tried its best to stop the whole thing by flooding a lot of the pitches, so unfortunately the U9 and U10 were cancelled. This didnt stop the Littlemore RFC U7 and U11 taking to the pitch.

The day started frosty and foggy but soon warmed up as the kids started to play. It was a great day with excellent TREDS displayed by all clubs attending

Many thanks to Shaun, Jason, Emma and Keiron. without them today would not have been possible