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The following is the citation for Paul (written by then club captain “Cheese”) and read at the AGM of ORFU on 24th July 2024 – although our Chairman Pete Bramley did embellish it somewhat on the night.

“Paul started reporting on Bicester RFC games back in the early 1990’s when Bicester were on the second year of their “Twickenham” journey and Paul had approached the club captain at the time and asked if he minded if he followed the team  and did a match report for the club on the games. Of course the club said yes to him not really knowing  that 34 years+ he would still be doing it!

His status as club legend was cemented when Bicester were drawn to Ongar RFC in Essex. We were so busy with sorting the team and coaches etc. we never really had a moment to think  about Paul and as he had not been to an away game before he was not really on our radar. But, sure as sure, he turned up on the touchline in his usual raincoat and cap and with his notebook and proceeded to meticulously gather all the information from both teams and when I asked him who gave him a lift he replied that he didn’t want to put anyone out so he made his own way to the game via public transport! (Bus, train, and taxi). Not an easy journey even for a seasoned traveller, the legend was born!

From that moment come rain, snow, frost, and sunshine he has been a permanent fixture at 1st XV games home and away and also at some of the 2nd XV, colts, and Vixens games also. He soon took on the official title of press secretary and to this day he continues to work tirelessly to maintain his own very high standards. During his time Paul has probably missed less than half a dozen games.

Most, if not all of our regular opponents now know Paul and are always ready to welcome him to their club as they know he will always be fair and unbiased with his reports. His polite, and unassuming attitude mixed with a dogged determination to get it right is admired by so many. His reports are read far and wide by ex-players/supporters who have moved away, they always make mention of looking forward to reading them.

Paul also has a love of Port and so much so that Bicester now hold a “Port and Pie” evening where players are asked to provide a bottle of Port in Paul’s honour, which is, of course, mostly consumed by all on the night. He has of course been known to partake in a tipple on the said night, and if you ever call in at his home he will always be ready to share a glass or two and chat about games past, present and future.

To conclude…

Paul is one in a million, a staunch club man, fuelled by his love of the games and of course Bicester RUFC.”

Now the dust has settled and we realise that it was not a dream, we would very much like to thank all those involved in this year’s County Championship campaign. 

Although it culminated in the final at Twickenham, the process started a lot earlier than that. From the first get-together by the coaches in January, a lot of work and organisation goes into making this happen. The group of coaches, Matt Goode as Director of Rugby, Greg Goodfellow as Head Coach and his incredible coaching team of Adam Copperwheat, Ant Maris and Mark Clarke all set out and explored the talent pool within Oxfordshire to find the players to come together and ensure that we had a county side with the correct mindset and ability to perform to their maximum potential in the campaign. Backed up with the assistance of us as team managers and aided by Duncan Nicholl to make sure everything was in place and all was kit taken care of. Moreover, having Liam Lloyd and his expertise to hand to keep the players fit and healthy to put together and deliver performances.

This was our first season in Division 2, and we knew that the journey would be harder than before. Winning 2 out of 3 games in our Pool we managed to qualify as the best runners-up out of the three pools in Division 2. As a result, we found ourselves facing a tough semi-final against Gloucestershire who had won all of their 3 pool games. As in previous seasons, our squad seems to develop and get stronger and stronger the more they play together. We knew playing Gloucestershire was not going to be easy, but after a hard-fought game, the boys pulled it off.

We then found ourselves on the way to Twickenham to play Cheshire in the Division 2 Final.

Anyone who has watched that game, either live or on YouTube, will know that it was probably what fairy tales are made of, and one of the best comebacks seen.

A big thank you to all the coaches and backroom staff, and the players for their dedication, commitment and the time they have given following a full season at their clubs, to make it all happen.

Thank you x

Doug & Jenny Bosley

A huge thank you to everyone who came to and supported the RFU’s Honda Rugby Grounds Connected event at Didcot Rugby Club – Didcot RUFC today. There was a brilliant turnout, and we hope you really enjoyed it and came away with lots of good learning.