Back at the start of the year Wheatley came out of the Christmas break with a couple of wins on the spin and progressing into the final of the County Shield, some great games ensued with the purple men pushing eventual promoted sided Littlemore and Slough all the way holding Littlemore to the draw and pushing Slough all the way but eventually conceding the tie 38-29. This game also witnessed a serious injury to second row regular Matt Gibb fracturing his eye socked and requiring surgery meaning he would play no further part in the season and is still unavailable at this time.

Matt Gibb pre injury

On to the County Shield final with a tantalising final against Littlemore, the occasion seemed to get the better of us as we didn't play with the sam fluidity we had shown throughout the season, injuries played their part with several players struggling at this stage of the season.

With a scattering of snow on the ground in March was quite limited in terms of game time with Tadley unable to travel on 2 occasions meaning that we would not be able to reschedule until the end of the season.

Once into April Wheatley found their edge once more and despite a hiccup in Abingdon 3 straight wins concluded the season with Chesham, Tadley and Bletchley all losing out to the Purple Army.

Over the off season club development continues with a well attended Dinner Dance a trip to Twickenham for the premiership final and a Natwest Rugby Force day, we also under took a "re branding" of the 2nd team and the Outlaws were born! I am very pleased to report that since their conception the Outlaws have lost just once and will be entering the new year the team to beat! currently top of the league and with several new faces involved the depth of player pool will undoubtedly lead to the birth of a 3rd team a real high point in recent times, we are still a way off the dizzy heights of a 5th team from back in the 90's but never say never....

The Vets probably performed too well in the flood lit cup bak in February having amassed a greater point difference found themselves in the Cup and having to face Henley in the semifinals! despite a herculean effort Henley proved too strong on their own turf, on a more brighter note Wheatley now have access to the new AGP at Horsepath as part of the Local Rugby Partnership, this means we can in theory play "home" games at hors path under lights and perhaps present a more level playing field as having to travel to all fixtures dose seen to put a strain on the player resource.

We currently find ourselves in a stronger position going into 2019 many players are returning from unavailability and several new faces involved, the club has grown the a greater revenue at the bar now we open throughout game day proceedings and we have encouraged more local sponsors to be involved giving things a real local club atmosphere and with more paid members than in previous years things are really moving forward.

Keep a lookout fo the forthcoming fixtures and functions as we continue to grow.

Happy new year one and all and we look forward to a bright future.