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YOUNG squash players from all over the country will be battling for National Junior ranking points this weekend (January 31/Feb 1) when Racquets, Thame, hosts the Racquets Junior Open tournament – an England Squash sanctioned event for juniors aged from 9 to 16 years-old.

Racquets’ Squash Academy coach, Sue Martin Downhill, said: “This weekend Racquets junior, Ollie Coulcher-Porter, age 9, and Nationally ranked 99 in the Under 11s, will compete in the Mixed Under 11s against girls and boys who are likely to have been playing since they were 4 or 5 years of age and have a year or two of experience in national ranking tournaments. We are sure that he will do himself and Thame proud.

“In the Under 15s Nick Harbour (UK #46) will be looking to take the top spot as he is seeded Number 2. His matches against his arch nemesis, Marcus Tranter (UK #25), have been close recently with the results going either way. This weekend will be quite a showdown.

“Ben Hedger (UK #63) is seeded 3/4 in the Under 17s. Ben is playing well again after a recent injury and will be hoping that it won’t recur under the strain. He has the capacity to do very well but he will meet the Number One in the semi-final, Todd Bennett, who is ranked #34 in the National Under 17s rankings – a full 29 places above him.

“We wish all our players the best of luck,” said Sue, “and if anyone would like to come down and watch, the rounds will be played throughout Saturday from 10am. Some of the finals will be on Saturday evening from around 5pm and on Sunday.”

A valiant effort from the Thame Hockey Club’s third men’s team on Saturday, but fates seemed to be against then from the start, when the traffic gods decreed that Tim would be stuck in traffic, meaning that they had to play for the first 15 minutes without a keeper.

Richard Creswell donned the bib of gullibility and stood in as keeper, only conceding one when the Oxford number 10 burst through and one-on- one smashed a shot at the helpless yellow-bibbed fool in the goal, the back looping off said fool’s stick, over his head and plopping unsatisfactorily over the goal line.

Once Tim arrived, the thirds started playing some nice hockey, but missing several key players to the first and the second teams, inexperience was evident. The arch goal poacher, Harvey Allen, nicked an equaliser after a fine build up of play from Dan Gibney and Ben Caiger. But a penalty corner was conceded after a crunching tackle by the sweeper led to Oxford retaking the lead just before half time.

After a pep talk, the thirds came out all guns blazing, playing the better hockey in the second half. Oxford’s keeper made several memorable saves to keep the thirds out, but it was Oxford who scored two further goals against the run of play to knock the stuffing out of the youthful thirds.

Tom Creswell, the new team captain, showed superb grit and determination to force home a shot after an excellen run down the right wing to make the scoreline a little more respectable. But experience won out overall, and Oxford deserved the win,.  2 – 4

Man of the match – Tom Creswell

Special mentions to Dan Bottomley, playing as right back and having a superb game; Lewis ‘the wasp’ Hall, whose attitude and effort was outstanding and tim roberts, who made some incredible saves, most notably one with his neck!!!

SOURCE: Contributedf

THAME travelled to Bracknell this weekend with their lowest attendance of the season, managing to field just nine players against a Bracknell squad of 14!

Despite their numerical disadvantage, playing a tight 2-3-2-1 formation paid dividends for the travelling rabble, and Thame could easily have taken the lead when a vicious strike from Cameron Skea forced a fine save from the Bracknell Terriers’ keeper. As the match wore on however, Bracknell’s numerical advantage began to tell and the away side were forced to defend a sucession of short corners.

Mid way into the half, one such short corner yielded the first goal of the game, with a deflection leaving John Gott helpless as the ball ballooned into the net. Thame kept their heads up and kept pressing all over the pitch, but the deficit was doubled when some soft play on the edge of the ‘D’ allowed a Bracknell player to dribble towards the goaline before finding a team mate to slot home.

Thame went into the half time break having produced some encouraging hockey considering their numbers and were ready to work hard in the second half to push for a goal and put some pressure on the home team. Thame started the half as the brighter side with Isaac Laws and Alex Chuch both working tirelessly to create chances high up the pitch. The half continued in a similar fashion with Thame winning short corners and enjoying sustained periods in the final third. The best chance of the day fell to Isaac Laws who somehow managed to miss from a goal line rebound as the ball drifted painfully wide. The miss was not enough to deny Isaac a well deserved Man of the Match performance as he showed skill, speed and composure in possession throughout.

David Mordant also selflessly nominated himself for D.O.D. honours despite protestations that his stick and advice by his goalkeeper were to blame for him passing the ball straight to an opposition striker late in the game to allow a 3-0 result to Bracknell.

Thame go into next week needing a full squad and a better showing in their next outing, against Maidenhead.

Man of the Match: Isaac Laws
D.O.D: David Mordant
League position: 10th
Next match: H vs Maidenhead Monarchs

ANOTHER sterling performance by Thame Hockey Ladies third team saw them beat Bicester Ladies fourth team by 4 goals to nil on Saturday, January 24.

Right from the off, Thame put Bicester under strong pressure and kept the play firmly in the Bicester half. With the forward line constantly pushing forward, two goals were scored in quick succession by quietly determined, but deadly in the D, Danielle.

One further goal was scored by centre forward Clare Seed during the first half .

Excellent defensive work by the halves, particularly Hattie at LH and Gee at RH meant that Bicester struggled to get the ball past the half way line, and never looked liked scoring during this period. Thame also had a number of short corners that they were unlucky not to convert.

The second half saw Thame’s play disrupted by a couple of nasty injuries to the forwards, and this led to a reshuffle of positions. Particular praise must go to Laura, who played admirably throughout the game variously at left back, left inner, right wing, and a short stint at Centre forward.

Thame managed to gain their final goal via a lovely pass from Gaynor, into the top of the D, where it was struck home by the ever- reliable Clare Seed.

The final quarter of the game saw Thame put under slightly more pressure by Bicester, with them having one serious run on goal. A superb clearance by Rachel Staines- Moore, playing in an unaccustomed position of left back, meant that Bicester were unable to score. Very well done to standin Emily, who admirably gave up a position as forward to be our goalie for the day. Although she was never seriously challenged by Bicester, we knew our goal was in safe hands!

Man of the Match was awarded to Gee, who had to contend with Bicester’s best player on the field, a very speedy left wing. Gee did a superb job of keeping up with her opponent, as well as driving the ball forward to support the forwards.

A fantastic result ladies that we should be very pleased with- lets keep the momentum going!!

Report by Julie Tatum

A beautiful sunny day greeted the Thame Ladies 1st team at the Marlow Sports Ground on Saturday, January 24. 

The match was a fast-paced game, with both Marlow Ladies and Thame Ladies on very good form. Marlow took control quickly, driving towards the Thame goal, forcing our keeper, Len Coplesten to save a goal within the first five minutes of play. The Thame defence were forced to work hard, as they were put under pressure regularly throughout the match. Man of the Match Sarah Sawrey-Cookson, played an excellent strong and solid match in the defensive line-up.

Clare “Chopper” Harris  and Vikki Dawson made some excellent runs, using their speed to break through the Marlow defence. But within the first 12 minutes of play Marlow Ladies 2’s had already secured their second short corner, which they converted, to go 1-0 up. A third short corner was converted putting the score to 2-0. And a third goal came in quick succession after that.

Chopper Harris and lizzie greenwood-hughes made another strong drive towards the opposition’s goal, both taking a strike on goal which sadly were saved. Thame secured a short corner, but were unable to convert it. Lizzie G-H made an impressive strike on goal but the keeper managed to get a hand on it, keeping the score at 3 – 0 at Half-time.

Visit Thame Hockey Club’s website to read the rest of Lizzie Atkins’ report