Saturday, February 1st, was a historic day for Chinnor RFC, as all three of our senior amateur sides—the Wildboys, Outlaws, and Kites—took to the field simultaneously for the first time ever. It was a thrilling showcase of grassroots rugby, with supporters treated to incredible action in every direction.

With all three matches kicking off at the same time, the XT Bar churned out the pints as spectators moved between pitches, struggling to keep up with the drama unfolding around them. Injured Outlaw Jacob Ogilby summed up the experience: "One of the best rugby days I’ve experienced at Chinnor. Standing between all three pitches made it hard to know where to look—social rugby in its purest form." Spectator, U18 girls coach, and Vets player Stu McIntosh echoed this, calling the experience "literally head-spinning" as he tried to take in all three games at once.

The Wildboys battled hard but fell 14-23 to Reading RFC. The Outlaws triumphed 41-34 over Abingdon RFC, with Man of the Match James Thomas describing the day as "a fantastic showcase for amateur rugby at the club. The wellbeing that comes from playing, coaching, or volunteering should never be underestimated, it’s something anyone can do no matter their age. I was proud to pull on the shirt and represent the Outlaws, being part of a squad of 23 players with a span of 27 years across the team from oldest to youngest was amazing ... also, being voted MOM was the icing on the cake!" He also highlighted the importance of community support in rugby: "From a sponsor’s point of view, the values learnt in rugby convert easily into the world of work & business, so the support Qdos gives to Chinnor RFC isn’t just for the first team but to enable the club to thrive & prosper at all levels. Saturday was a testament to that and the strength of the club and its community."

Meanwhile, the Kites secured a dramatic 20-17 victory over top-of-the-table Portsmouth RFC, their first win of the season. Lucy Amos, an injured Kites player and Kubota representative, noted: "It was an amazing day with a proper family feel."

For 18-year-old Amelie Rucker, playing her first senior match for the Kites was a landmark moment. As one of the original girls when the team was founded five years ago, she reflected, "Not only was it an amazing game, but I haven’t enjoyed playing a match that much in a long time."

Club photographer David Howlett captured the significance of the day, emphasising how Chinnor continues to balance tradition with growth. "I love the idea of Amateur Day. Amateur has two meanings. The first is people who love playing, watching, and supporting rugby. Rugby is a game with one foot firmly in this world of volunteers aka amateurs. But rugby’s other foot is placed in a world of professionalism and business. Today we celebrated how our club is flourishing and finding our own way of continuing our sustainable growth through attracting more sponsors and fans."

As the final whistles blew, players, coaches, and supporters gathered for a joint court session and social event, reinforcing the camaraderie that defines the club. The first-ever ‘Amateur Day’ was more than just a day of rugby—it was a statement about the strength and unity of Chinnor RFC. With such a successful debut, this is sure to become a club tradition for years to come.

David Howett's full album of the day can be found here: https://www.whisperphotography.co.uk/gallery/2025-02-01-Chinnor-RFC-Amateur-Day/G0000ajfaj_WpykM/2/C0000dirctlxBAe0