Category: Sports News

A YOUNG team for Thame Duellists Fencing Club fought off older and more experienced opposition to take fifth place in the Bucks, Berks & Oxfordshire team foil rally fencing event at Langley last Sunday (05/12).

The team of Daniel Kovacs (12), Arran Strutt (13) and Ismail Anwar (11) entered the mixed age group event having only limited competitive experience, with Daniel and Ismail having only fenced in competition once before and Arran having experience of club matches but new to competition fencing.

Ismail, who normally fences at the Salle Eton club, stepped in to the team at the last minute to fill in for another Thame fencer missing through illness. The unexpected change in line-up didn?t appear to hold them back as they won their first three matches of the event relatively comfortably, but the matches only got harder as the day went on and they lost their final match against a skilful and experienced Newbury team which ended up taking second place.

But Thame?s performance had done enough to secure them a creditable fifth in a crowded field of nineteen teams ? tantalisingly close to the medals.
Team coach James Kingston said: ?I was really impressed with how they fenced. They applied themselves and showed good technique. They made the opposition work for every hit even when they were up against it and only went down 3-5 in the final match.?

The result is a boost for the club which is working hard to develop its junior fencers? competition performance this season.

Thame Duellists Fencing Club welcomes new members, both adults and juniors. Anyone interested should call Club Chairman James Kingston on 07947 049511.

NOTE: Thame Duellists fencing club meets on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in term time at Thame Leisure Centre.

MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Any MacDonald – Thame Vets 2 v KBAR Vets 0 – 11th December 2010.

Thame vets played their opening game at the new Meadow View Ground on a mild Saturday lunch time kick off against an experienced team from Kingston Blount/Aston Rowant. Andy ‘Ex-county’ McDonald from Thame, had gathered a bunch of ex squash players, Rugby players, runners and even some proclaimed to have played football before to start with a convincing win at their new home.

Andy appointed the vocal Thame boys U12 coach Gerald ‘Relax’ Reilly as captain for the day as he delivered on his task of shouting for the entire match at his players.

Thame started well, moving the ball nicely around perfect surface but KBAR were a good match showing their ability to work together as they have played together for so many years. One concern was the unusual colour and aroma from Jon ‘shouter’ Brooks in the first five minutes – maybe it was something he ate at his Christmas ‘do’ the night before? But Thame were more up for the game as Mark ‘Misery’ Gregory fought hard to win a header that put Jon ‘Step-over’ Cooke through to loop a speculative shot over the KBAR keeper to go one up after 15 minutes.

The Thame defence held well with Paul ‘legend’ Watson and Dave ‘Geordie’ Stephenson holding firm in defence ably backed up by Simon ‘cruncher’ Baldwin-Biggs. With several men short on their normal team, Thame concerns grew as Nick ‘Roadrunner’ Major tripped over his own tackle and left the field to be replaced by ex Thame United Striker Richard ‘I can?t believe I?m sub behind Nick Major’ Gregory. Rich bolstered the attack by joining ‘ex-county’ McDonald upfront who held the ball up well and worked tirelessly for his team.

Thame held on to the lead until half team and ‘Misery’ Gregory withdrew himself as did Simon ‘Bee’ Lazaruk.
Thame seemed to get stronger as the KBAR legs tired and Thame fitness levels looked good from Monday night practice games. Mark ‘Solo’ Watson showed strength despite moaning ever time anyone dared to tackle him and ‘Bee’ came back on to add some pace on the right and work well with ‘ex-county’.

Thame?s second came in unbelievable circumstances as ‘Roadrunner’ returned to the pitch and found himself actually onside for once and the ball at his feet, somehow mustering a shot that gave the keeper no chance to put Thame two up. That didn?t stop him straying into an offside position at least 25 more times.

‘Relax’ Reilly kept Thame calm with complete dominance of his goal and took a tumble in the last 10 minutes to find himself badly winded having leaped at least three inches from the ground. ‘Step-over’ Cooke continued to surge forward and put in a clear man-of-the-match performance for his efforts. ‘Shouter’ Brooks had now turned human colour again and his strength helped Thame in the latter part of this game. ‘Legend’ Watson continued to curse himself for no apparent reason. The whistle went and Thame had won a hard fought but fair game.

Thanks must go to Frank Thompson at the club for allowing us to be the first team to play on this pitch but hopefully we repaid some of this by draining most of the bar dry for the rest of the day.

AFTER five years of playing football at other people’s grounds, Thame United finally played their first game at their very own, brand new stadium on Saturday.

This historic match at the ASM Stadium at Meadow View Park, played in front of a gate of 356 people, finally ended in a 2-2 draw against Bracknell Town. Although Bracknell, known as the Robins, are boasting on their website that they ‘crashed Thame’s party,’ that certainly was not the feeling of the Thame contingent who were in party mood after the game. Nevertheless, the Robins did concede in their match report that the match ended “in a hard fought but fair scoring draw.”

Last weekend’s bad weather meant that the team’s scheduled first match against Wokingham & Embrook had to be postponed, but that disappointment has now faded and the future looks more settled for Thame United and their

WHEN? 21-23rd January 2011; WHERE? at the exclusive Racquets fitness centre, Thame.

THE Chairman of Thame Football Partnership is hoping that the cold weather doesn?t hamper Meadow View Park?s plans to host it first ever game at The ASM Stadium on Saturday, December 4. Wokingham and Emmbrook FC will be the visitors, with a kick off at 3pm.

On Sunday, December 5, from 1pm there is a Thame Boys, Youth & Girls Open Day for everyone involved in Thame football. This will give all the players the opportunity to pick up their membership cards and packs.

But the fantastic new venue at Meadow View Park is not just about Football. This community facility has two fantastic bars and will offer a large and varied menu every lunchtime and evening. So come along, check out the facilities and support the club.

The venture has taken nearly five years to complete, from conception to the first match. Thousands of volunteer hours have been committed and everyone at TFP is very excited to see the place finally ready for action.

TFP spokesman, Frank Thompson, said: “Special thanks must go to Thame Town Council. Without the Council?s agreement to be the Accountable Body, this project would not have been achieved. In addition, Thame Town Council helped with funding of

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council has awarded Chinnor Rugby Club, based in Thame,

THAME United 0, Old Woodstock Town 2 – League game 20/11/10; MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

Thame United?s last game at Wallingford ended their run of four winning games with a 0-2 defeat at the hands of impressive Old Woodstock Town. Thame were without several regular players due to suspension, injury and non-availability. As a result, they were on the back foot for most of the game and, if it had not been for some capable defending, the margin could have been much greater.

The visitors dominated the opening exchanges and it was 15 minutes before United created their first chance when Sam Cowan found himself in a 1 to 1 with the keeper, but his shot was high. The visitors took the lead in the 23rd minute when a ball from the right found striker Luke Ingram in space and he finished well from 15 yards, giving Thame keeper Paul Searl no chance. Just before the break, United?s Luke Rickets created a chance with a quality run on the left, but his shot glanced off a defender taking the pace off the ball, allowing the keeper to make a comfortable save.

United started the second half brightly, but soon their goal was under siege with a lengthy period of sustained pressure. Martin Saulsbury and Nik Rhodes were inspirational in defence as attack, after attack hit them. Thame recovered, and with about 20 minutes remaining, Manager Mark West came on as a sub. His first touch was on the left by-line where he was unfairly tackled, and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Adam Rhodes took the spot kick but the keeper got a hand to the ball, pushing it wide for a corner. A Thame head met the resultant corner kick but the ball was cleared off the line by a defender. A minute later Woodstock increased their lead when a break away on the right resulted in a 20-yard shot which found the corner of the Thame goal. A few minutes later Searl, who was in good form, made a great save with his legs. The final few minutes saw the visitor?s content to defend as Thame pressed unsuccessfully for a consolation goal.

At the end of the game, Cathy Searl conducted a ceremonial throwing of the frying pan which she has used to make countless bacon rolls since United moved to Wallingford more than four years ago. Her days of serving in the tea bar are finished.

Thame United: Searl, Meredith (J Way), Newell, N Rhodes, Saulsbury, Hunt (West), Barr (Gomersall), A Rhodes, Cowan, Braun, Ricketts.

NATIONAL 3 SW – Saturday, November 20, 2010; SCORE: Chinnor 29 Vs Coney Hill 7; MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

Chinnor kept up this season?s unbeaten record at Kingsey Road with a 29-7 defeat of Gloucester?s Coney Hill.

With Ben Hewitt again sadly injured, Richie Williams filled the full back slot and Ed Devine was preferred at no 8. Nick Harrison returned at open side, Sam Stoop at outside centre and Ed Vickers was promoted from the seconds on the strength of some powerful displays.

The first score of the match came in the 10th minute when James Serrano fielded a kick out from Coney Hill?s 22. At pace, Serrano bumped off the first tackler and deftly offloaded to Stoop at the second tackle. Stoop hit fifth gear down the tram lines and slid in at the corner. Cathcart improved the score to give Chinnor a 7-0 lead.

Coney Hill, proficient in the line out, had good periods of possession but could not break Chinnor?s defensive line. Chinnor then scored their second try with Cathcart taking the ball up from a midfield scrum. At the tackle, Cathcart skilfully passed the ball behind the back of his tackler to the onrushing Matthew Goode. Goode side stepped the first tackler, palmed off the second and out sprinted the third to give Cathcart an easy conversion. As half time approached with the score at 14-0 to Chinnor, the home side had to replace Stoop and Williams with Farr and Vickers. Hastings dropped out of the back row to partner Goode in the centre.

Nine minutes into the second half, Chinnor exploited the pace of Farr who, inserting himself into a simple but rapid passing move from a midfield scrum, dotted down in the corner. Coney Hill got on the score board when a wide miss pass to winger Paddy Knight allowed him to duck through two tackles for an easy try. With Baker?s conversion, the match score was 19-7 to Chinnor.

On the 68th minute, Prescott fielded a Coney Hill kick and returned a banana shaped kick across field where the ball bounced nicely for the speedy Sebastian Corpe. Drawing the last defender, Corpe neatly slipped in Farr for his second to give Chinnor a 24-7 lead and a bonus point.

From the restart kick, Prescott zigzagged up field leaving six defenders flatfooted almost leading to another try. The last score of the match came from an aimless downfield kick from Coney Hill where Prescott and Farr worked the ball to Corpe who skinned his opposite number to score in the corner to give Chinnor a 29-7 victory.

Coney Hill with a tough pack never gave up trying and could have scored more but for a defiant scramble defence from Chinnor. Chinnor?s pace saw them home with Corpe and Farr again unstoppable. Had it not been for a few mistakes in critical areas, Chinnor would have scored a lot more. Cathcart?s sublime pass to Goode and the resultant dazzling try was the highlight of the match. Andrew Smith had a fine match driving the pack on and scooping up any loose ball. Prescott had a highly influential match and new boy Vickers looked intense and purposeful. Adam Hastings made a very serviceable emergency centre.

Scorers: Chinnor: Farr 2T; Stoop T; Goode T; Corpe T; Cathcart 2C
Coney Hill: Knight T; Baker C

Chinnor team: Williams (Vickers 45), Serrano, Goode, Stoop (Farr 38), Corpe, Cathcart, Prescott, Winpenny (Whelan 58), Tattersall, Pickett, Hutchings, Smith, Hastings, Harrison, Devine 58

Replacements: Whelan, Vickers, Farr

THREE members of Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame, with the help of some of their friends and colleagues, have raised thousands of pounds for Children In Need by playing a gruelling 24 hours of squash.

With only a short break every couple of hours, Personal Trainer, Nick Wynd, Ed Cross and Guy Fotherby played throughout the period with Station Officer Andy Ford and members of Thame’s fire brigade among others. playing in relays of six hours.

Between them they have raised in the region of

LEAGUE GAME: 13/11/10 – Fairford Town 2, Thame United 5
MATCH REPORT from Bob Dixon:

Thame travelled to bottom of the league, Fairford Town on Saturday and recorded a 2-5 win. United were however slightly flattered by the score. Two of their goals came from goalkeeping errors and United?s goalkeeper, Milan Barisic saved a penalty. The visitors however, who were behind at one point, were the better side. United were without Adam Rhodes, whilst Ben Connelly, who is recovering from injury, spent most of the game on the bench.

After an even opening 10 minutes Thame started to gain the upper hand and, following a corner, Sam Cowan was unlucky to see his header hit the crossbar. He has two more close range heading chances in the next 10 minutes, both of which were high. Fairford seemed content to hit long-range shots and, against the run of play, went ahead in the 25th minute when James Skinner hit a well-placed 25-yard shot into the bottom right of the Thame goal. The visitors equalised 2 minutes later when a Luke Ricketts free kick from the right found Nik Rhodes at the far post who somehow bundled the ball in. United went behind again in the 36th minute when the ball crossed the goal line during a goalmouth scramble. Four minutes later a good ball from Stuart Barr found Luke Rickets in space on the left, and his confident 15-yard shot gave the keeper no chance. United took the lead just before half time when a Ricketts cross was knocked back to goal by Alex Stuart to Barr, who headed in from close range. The home players and supporters shouted handball, but the goal was awarded.

United?s fourth goal came in the 60th minute when the home keeper miss-kicked a pass back and the alert Stuart pounced and buried the ball. With 12 minutes to play, substitute Connelly increased Thame?s tally to five when he intercepted another back pass and finished well. A few minutes later Connelly was clattered, and limped off shortly after, reducing Thame to 10 men as all subs had been used. In the dying minutes Fairford were awarded a penalty, which was well taken but the on-form Barisic dived low to his right to make an excellent save.

Thame United: Barisic, N Rhodes, Newell (J Way), Saulsbury, Brown (Mitchell), Cowan, Barr, Hunt (Connelly), Stuart, Braun, Ricketts.