Category: Sports News

NATIONAL 3 SW game – Saturday, November 13: Cleve 12, Vs Chinnor 38. MATCH REPORT

CHINNOR’S young bucks earned themselves a bonus point win against Cleve from Bristol on Satgurday, winning by 38-12 in an eventful match.

Chinnor were still on the bus as a simple passing move saw Cleve go 5-0 up in the 2nd minute courtesy of an unconverted try from full back Luke Fletcher. As Chinnor began to find their feet, a no arms tackle from Cleve?s Shack Ajuwa left Chinnor?s Ben Hewitt out cold. Referee Ed McWalter converted the original yellow card against Ajuwa to red for subsequent dissent. Hewitt was sent to hospital to be replaced on the field by Ben Farr.

A surging midfield break from Hastings fed Serrano for Chinnor?s first try, converted by Cathcart. On the 19th minute, Cathcart increased Chinnor?s lead to 10-5 with a penalty goal. The lead increased some three minutes later when, after good midfield play from Morgan, Corpe sliced through the home defence at great pace for a try, converted by Cathcart. Chinnor?s tactic of using their wingers paid dividends again as Serrano scooted over for a try, again converted by Cathcart. With a 25-5 lead, the remaining action of the first half was a yellow card for Chinnor?s Tattersall, infringing at a ruck.

For the second half, as the forwards continued their fractious game, Chinnor stuck with working their speedy young backs into the game. On the 43rd minute, Goode, with neat footwork, crashed over between the sticks. Cathcart again converted to give Chinnor a 31-5 lead. Chinnor then appeared to ease up and a period of great pressure from the home side put the Thame side?s pack under considerable pressure leading to a succession of penalties against the visitors. Referee McWalter objected to the rising number of offences by awarding Cleve a penalty try, converted by fly half, Joe Hall, giving a match score of 12-31 to the visitors and a yellow card for Chinnor?s Smith.

The last try of the game came from a delightful cross field dink from Cathcart, gathered by the speedy Corpe who fed Farr for a classy sprint to the posts. With Cathcart?s conversion, the game went to Chinnor by 38 points to 12.

Chinnor did well against a side struggling in the league who play with a tough and physical style and in fly half Hall had a useful kicker whose talents were underused.

The Chinnor pack did well in a tough encounter with the back row of Hastings, Harrison and Fan coping particularly well. Devine caught the eye with some fearsome tackles. The game was won by the backs with pace of Corpe and Farr?s challenging lines of running a constant threat. Morgan orchestrated well and Serrano was always in the right place.

Scorers:

Cleve: Fletcher T; Penalty Try; Hall C

Chinnor: Serrano 2T; Goode T; Corpe T; Farr; Cathcart 5C, PG

Chinnor team: Hewitt (Farr 10), Serrano, Goode, Morgan, Corpe, Cathcart, Prescott, Winpenny, Tattersall, Pickett, Hutchings (Devine 50), Smith, Hastings, Harrison (Devine 58), Fan

Replacements: Cawston, Devine, Farr

GAME: November 16, 2010 – Thame United 4 Vs Clanfield85 0 – MATCH REPORT By Jake Collinge

WHILST the score line appears comfortable on paper, the fact that the man-of-the-match for Thame was goalkeeper Milan Barisic, suggests a slightly closer game. That said, by the time Barisic was called on to make a number of fine saves, Thame were already ahead in the game and generally in control.

From the off Thame pushed their West Oxfordshire opponents back in to their own half, and former Thame goalkeeper Chris Brain was forced in to a number of saves. The deadlock was finally broken after 16 minutes. United won a free kick on the right hand edge of the penalty area and with everyone, including Brain, anticipating a cross in to the box, Stuart Barr instead saw a gap at the keeper?s near post and expertly curled the ball around the Clanfield wall and in to the bottom corner. Five minutes later and United could have made it two as top scorer Alex Stewart found himself in space six yards from goal, only to see his goal bound effort well saved by Brain. At this stage Clanfield?s attacks were sporadic but they had a great chance to equalize five minutes from the break when Mark Odom found himself in space five yards from goal, only to see Barisic expertly push the ball wide with his outstretched leg.

The second half was only four minutes old when Thame extended their lead. As a free kick from the Thame left was cleared the ball was put back in to the area where Martin Brown collected the ball and clipped a cross back across the goal with Stewart side footing in from close range. Stewart scored his second, and United?s third ten minutes later when fellow striker Stuart Braun initially failed to get his shot away before winning the ball back and feeding Stewart who, from the edge of the area, hit a powerful drive in the bottom corner of the net. Before the fourth and final goal arrived, Barisic was called on to make at least four fine saves as Clanfield searched desperately to get back in to the game. As it was, it was Thame who scored on a break away in the 82nd minute. Stuart Barr played a fine ball down the line to Stuart Braun who cut inside and crossed to the far post where Aaron Rogers confidently beat Brain. With the game over, manager Mark West made a welcome return to the field of play for the first time this season.

In the next round United will face an away trip to the winners of the all Hellenic Premier Division tie between Kidlington and Ardley United.

Thame United: Barisic, N.Rhodes, Newell (Hunt), Saulsbury, Brown (Way), Barr, Rogers (West), Cowan, Braun, Stewart, Meredith

WILL John, 18, from Thame, was one of the top performers at the recent British Junior Squash Championships in Manchester.

Will, who is a member at Raquets in Thame, won five of his six matches to finish an impressive ninth out of 46 entries.

All of Will?s matches went to five games, giving him the longest on court game time overall for the tournament.

Starting as a qualifier, Will beat Elliott Knight (Kent) 11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 11-4,12-10 in 48mins. In the main draw top 32 Will beat Ross Brown (Essex) 11-5, 3-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5 in 51 mins to qualify for the top 16 monrad style playoffs.

He lost to Reuben Phillips (Middlesex) 14-12, 7-11, 6-11, 11-9, 4-11 in 60mins before winning his next three matches against Nick Mulvey (Herts) (57 mins), Charlie Johnson (Herts)(50 mins) and the seeded David Wardle (Surrey) in 51 mins, an overall game time of 317mins for the four day tournament.

Will is a member of the Welsh National Squad and plays his squash at Racquets in Thame.

He is now training for a career in squash.

CHINNOR RFC women?s rugby team, Chinnor Chicks, based in Thame are recruiting new young players for the 2010 season. Girls 12-18 with an enthusiasm for sport are wanted to become part of one of the largest sporting clubs in the area to join a fantastic team that trains hard, plays hard and makes sure each game and training session is great fun.

Led by former Chick and Aberystwyth Ladies captain, Lauren Whitworth, the Chicks are moving in to a new era and are looking for build on past success both on and off the field. Backed by a team of experienced coaches, Lauren aims to build a competitive squad that balances great results with fun and enjoyment.

Training is on Sunday mornings at Chinnor RFC on Tythrope Way, at 10-11.30 am. All levels of experience are welcome ? just bring your boots!!!! So turn up or email for further details to: coachingcoordinator@chinnor-rfc.com

MATCH 03/11/10 Tornadoes V Kites, 18 ? 17 to the Tornadoes, Thame.

TORNADOES fought a closely contested match with Kites on Wednesday, November 3, to secure their fourth win of the season. Although Kites scored the opening goal, Tornadoes soon dominated the play, making the most of the scoring opportunities. Excellent shooting by the Kites GS brought the score level at the end of the first quarter.

Tornadoes once again took control of the second quarter with good team play, forcing errors from Kites pushing their lead to 11 ? 8. Tornadoes started the fourth quarter determined to pull away. Both teams demonstrated excellent play but it was Tornadoes who just had the edge winning 18 -17. Player of the match was awarded Lynn Palmer who played an excellent game at WD.

Team: Hannah White (captain), Sheena Maguire, Lynn Palmer, Lisa Sydenham, Emma Young and Lauren Fairbrother.
Hurricanes V Hares
25 ? 23

THE Thame Hurricanes faced tough opposition this week too, against Hares. Although the Hurricanes trailed in the first half, their strong defence kept the goal difference to a minimum. Hurricanes gradually began to fight back with good interceptions from their wings. The score remained tight throughout, with both teams battling to the last minutes. Fantastic shooting and strong centre court play enabled Hurricanes to pull ahead and win 25 ? 23.

Team: Vanessa Hake, Carol Storey, Becky Froud, Penny Caudle, Mel Rose, Sue Farrow and Lyn Hopwood.

Thame Netball Club has been funded by The Oxfordshire Community Foundation Grassroots Grants Project for the 2010/11 season.

WHILST Thame United went in to the game on the back of a 7-0 win against Abingdon Town, they knew that against Shortwood United, the pre-season favourites for the league title, they would do well to leave Gloucestershire with anything. That they did so with a clean sheet and three points was testament to a disciplined all round team performance.

Thame welcomed back the experienced centre back Martin Brown, with Luke Ricketts starting on the wide left. The game started in end-to-end fashion with Shortwood going closest after five minutes following a corner when the ball ricocheted around the Thame penalty box before eventually being cleared. Thame pressed forward and with striker Alex Stewart proving a handful for the Shortwood defence, a number of half chances were created. However, the best opportunity came to Thame after 20 minutes, a quick move down the Thame right eventually saw the ball crossed in to the box where Ricketts, positioned on the far post, was able to lift his shot from six yards over the keeper, only to see the ball come crashing back off the cross bar. Shortwood failed to take note of the threat and ten minutes later United scored what turned out to be the winner. Sam Cowan went on a powerful run down the Thame right, cutting in to the box and squaring the ball to Ricketts. Ricketts then played a short pass inside to Stewart who, despite being surrounded by three defenders, was able to place his shot wide of the home keeper.

Thame knew that Shortwood would throw everything at them in the second half, but they had not reckoned on a defence well marshalled by Brown and James Saulsbury and a solid display from keeper Milan Barisic that, throughout the whole of the second half, limited Shortwood to only one effort on target. Indeed, with Shortwood pushing forward, it was Thame who created the chances to put the game beyond doubt. First in the 66th minute Ricketts went on a trade mark run from his own half to the bye-line where his cross along the six yard box just evaded the on-rushing Stuart Braun. Ten minutes later and Nik Rhodes found himself in space 20 yards from goal, but his well hit volley was saved by the keeper. Despite mounting pressure from Shortwood in the last ten minutes, the resolute Thame defence held firm, and fully deserved the three points at the final whistle.

Final score: Shortwood United 0 Vs Thame United 1

United now travel to Fairford Town for another League game this coming Saturday (13th November 2010).

United: Barisic, Cowan, Newell, Brown, Saulsbury, Hunt (Meredith), A.Rhodes, Connelly (Barr), Stewart (N.Rhodes), Braun, Ricketts.

Conributed by Jake Collinge
PHOTO: Goal scorer Alex Stewart (No 9) heads just over

CHINNOR RFC officially switched on the replacement lights on one of the pitches this week in a ceremony that included the Mayor of Thame, Adam Buckland.

The U13s & U14s from Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire were the first to play under the floodlights before a crowd of some 400 people.

The ceremony was hosted by Chinnor RFC who also welcomed Paul Murphy and Simon Winman from the RFU and Town Councillors Jeannette Matelot-Green, and Nigel Champken-Woods.

Local businessman, Mr Kim Yates, whose personal donation made the whole project feasible, said: “I was happy to make a contribution to improve facilities for the local youth who play my favourite sport!?

MATCH REPORT – Wednesday, October 27 – OLD WOODSTOCK TOWN 3, Vs THAME UNITED 2.

IN a game played at high velocity for most of the ninety minutes, United will rue two pieces of misfortune and several missed opportunities as they fell to their second successive defeat in the league at Old Woodstock Town.

Played at Eynsham Park, the home of North Leigh FC, United played down the pronounced slope in the first half and immediately had the visitors on the back foot. Indeed, they had a great opportunity to open the scoring after only 3 minutes when striker Alex Stewart put in a teasing cross along the six yard line that Ben Connelly met at the far post, only to see his effort come back off the upright. Whilst Old Woodstock Town were dangerous on the break, Thame only had to wait another ten minutes to break the deadlock with what for many will already consider to be goal of the season. United worked the ball well down the left, where a cross came in to Stewart on the edge of the box, he headed the ball back to Adam Rhodes who, from 25 yards, unleashed an unstoppable volley in to the top left hand corner of the goal.

Although United had the opportunity to go 2-0 up five minutes later, as Connelly just failed to connect with a cross to the far post, Old Woodstock Town gradually got back in to the game and equalised after 27 minutes. A speculative shot from 25 yards crashed against the underside of the crossbar and hit the back of Thame goalkeeper, Paul Searl, before crossing over the line. By this stage, Old Woodstock Town were in the ascendancy and a second goal was scored three minutes from the break as a well placed shot beat Searl from 15 yards.

United started the second half brightly and Aaron Rogers had a good opportunity after 48 minutes, skewing his shot wide whilst, five minutes later, a cross from Connelly on the right appeared to be handled by the retreating defender but the referee waved play on. United were made to pay ten minutes later as, following a corner, an Old Woodstock Town shot again hit the underside of the bar and again went in off the back of the hapless Searl. On 75 minutes Thame scored their second as a well taken Rhodes free kick was volleyed home from 8 yards by Sam Cowan. Thame then pressed for the equaliser, with Nik Rhodes going closest from a header in the final minutes.

Thame United: Searl, Cowan, Newell, Saulsbury, N. Rhodes, Braun (Hunt), A.Rhodes, Barr (Meredith), Rogers, Stewart (Jones), Connelly.

CONTRIBUTED by Jake Collinge

MATCH REPORT – League Game 30/10/10 – Thame United 1, Slimbridge 2;

Thame United got most of it right last Saturday when they lost an entertaining game 1-2 to Gloucestershire side Slimbridge. They had most of the first half possession, defended well, attacked imaginatively and created some good chances. Thame?s problem was that these chances were then wasted. Slimbridge were on the back foot for most of the game but when half chances came their way, they converted them into goals. As a result, Slimbridge are now top of the league whilst United dropped a place and are now 18th.

The game saw Connor Hunt make his first start for Thame, who controlled the first half. In the opening ten minutes, both Sam Cowan and James Saulsbury met corners with far post headers which were inches wide. Most of the play was in the Slimbridge half with the visitors largely restricted to occasional counter attacks. Their defence was however well organised, and they contained the threat from Thame wingers, Ben Connelly and Luke Ricketts. Chances were few although Adam Rhodes went close with a volley; Cowan forced a good save from the keeper and an Alex Stuart goal-bound shot was bravely blocked. The game was goalless at half time.

United had a good chance following the restart, when a through ball found Mark Jones at the edge of the area, but he was unable to get his shot away before being closed down. The deadlock was broken 2 minutes later when the ball was deflected to visiting striker Mike Bryant, who reacted quickly to hit a lucky shot just inside the right hand goalpost. Even the visiting supporters admitted that the goal was a fluke. A few minutes later Thame keeper Milan Barisic made an outstanding close-range save. Thame fought back and possession was fairly even for the rest of the game.

The equaliser was bizarre. Following a free kick, the ball was headed in the 6-yard box by several forwards and defenders before a goal-bound header was deflected wide by the keeper. The linesman however immediately flagged, and after talking to him, the referee signaled handball and pointed to the penalty spot. The linesman had seen an infringement which was missed by referee, players and spectators alike. After the inevitable protests subsided, Alex Stuart buried the resultant spot kick.

The visitors regained the lead 3 minutes later when the ball was played, from a free kick, to Bryant who hit a well-placed shot pass Barisic from 15-yards. Thame pressed for the remaining 15 minutes, and, with 5 minutes left, Cowan forced a terrific save from the visiting keeper.

Thame United: Barisic, Barr, Newell, Cowan, Saulsbury, Hunt (N Rhodes), Connelly, A Rhodes, Stewart, Jones (MacDonald) (Meredith), Ricketts.

CONTRIBUTED by Bob Dixon

GO Active in South Oxfordshire, along with Thame Town Council, is launching the first Run in the England 3-2-1 programme in the county.

Run in England 3-2-1 is an England Athletics? initiative designed to get people across the country into running and has been granted the Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme.

As the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games inspire people to get active, Run in England 3-2-1 brings accessible and beginner-friendly running routes across the country. Signposted routes with markers at three, two and one miles give people the opportunity to challenge themselves and build their fitness as they look to progress the speed at which they walk, jog or run.

In partnership with Run in England, GO Active set up more than 12 social running groups across South Oxfordshire and wants to involve even more people by setting up the 3-2-1 routes locally.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “Run in England 3-2-1 is encouraging everyone in the community to take up the challenge to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as Run in England 3-2-1 we are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in running at all levels.”

The 3-2-1 routes in Thame will start from Thame Leisure Centre and will officially be opened on Saturday, 6 November, at 10am by Thame Mayor, Adam Buckland and local running group Running Buddies.

Contact Hendriette Thorn on 01491 823175 if you would like to get involved.