Category: Sports News

MATCH REPORT: April 22, 2010 – WOODLEY TOWN 1, THAME UNITED 1.

IN a game of two halves, United were indebted to keeper Lee Orkney for a first half man of the match display that kept the away side in touch of their hosts at half time.

With Woodley still fighting for a top three finish in their first season in the league, they started the stronger of the two sides with Carl Davies, a former Welsh International, proving a particular handful for the Thame defence. Indeed, it was Davies who opened the scoring after five minutes, albeit the goal owed a lot to some poor officiating. The ball was played in to the Thame penalty area where, with the Thame captain Nik Rhodes about to clear, he was caught by Davies. However, to the surprise of the home and away support, the referee failed to award a free kick, and Davies had the easiest of finishes from 8 yards.

The remainder of the half saw Woodley continue to push forward, with Thame unable to find their normal rhythm and composure. Orkney, despite being injured in the warm up, was called upon several times to make good saves, with the only real threats for United coming from set pieces.

Whatever the management duo of Mark West and Frank Thompson said at half time, it worked. For the whole of the second half United were the dominant side, with Woodley content to try and hit Thame on the break. Whilst United created a number of half chances, mainly through the tenacity and trickery of Luke Ricketts on the left wing and the forward play of Adam Stallwood, they were unable to create any clear cut chances. However, with ten minutes to go United secured a deserved equaliser. Luke Ricketts hit a powerful corner in to the box that substitute Mark Jones met with an unstoppable header at the far post. After the equaliser, it was Thame who looked the more likely to go on and win the game. The nearest they came was an Adam Rhodes free kick from 25 yards that the home keeper did well to tip around the post for a corner.

As it was, United had to settle for a draw and they now go on to a home game this coming Saturday against Eton Wick (3pm kick off) knowing that three points will be enough to seal the league title.

Thame United: Orkney, Newell (Way), Meredith, Cowan, N.Rhodes, Connelly, Braun (Barr), A.Rhodes, Rogers (Jones), Stallwood, Ricketts.

CHINNOR RFC, based in Thame, have been chosen to host the British University and Colleges Sevens Tournament for 2010.

The two day event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2, 2010, and promises to be a festival of fine rugby. Sunday will be the main focus of the event with around 26 teams (male and female) representing our best universities and colleges around the UK.

Kick off on both days will be at 10am and the event will be supported by food and refreshments and ample car parking.

Chinnor RFC spokesman, Steve Halson, said: “This event is a top level coup won by our outstanding facilities and support staff. Our own England Sevens and Sale Sharks player, David Seymour, will be making the presentations and we hope that all our members can come and support this prestigious event and help make it a great success.”

Further updates will be posted on the website: www.chinnor-rfc.com and on ThameNews.Net and in other local press.

CHINNOR RFC U13?s won their first major trophy on a hot and hard day at the Oxon 10s tournament, hosted by Wallingford RFC on Sunday, April 18.

The first match versus Oxford Harlequins was the toughest, with Chinnor hanging on during a five minute spell of powerful play from Oxford with Thomas Strathdee, team captain, making an awesome cover tackle to prevent the first score going to Oxford.

After this the Chinnor boys really got going and managed to run in four tries and take the first game 22 ? 0. Chinnor then faced Bicester who proved tough opponents. However, Chinnor made the crucial gaps to run in two tries and win the match 12 – 0. The next opponent in their group of five was Chipping Norton. Chinnor had now found their rhythm and ran in five tries to take the game 22 ? 0, thanks to some excellent work by the forwards and hard tackling by the whole team.

The last group game was against Banbury which saw both teams looking a little tired in the heat. However the team started very well, running in three tries, two by Jack Ellis who scored in every game, to give a 19 ? 0 lead at half time. Banbury came back and scored two tries but Chinnor held on to win 19 ? 12. Chinnor won their group, played four, won four.

Chinnor played the runners up from the other group, Henley, in the semi final. Chinnor got off to a flying start and were 19 ? 0 up at half time, again great work by the forwards in tackling and recycling the ball quickly giving the backs space to run with real menace at the Henley defence. This continued in the second half, with the whole team showing great commitment in the tackle on the hardening ground. Chinnor scored another two tries with Henley getting a consolation try making the final score 31 ? 7.

Chinnor played Oxford Harlequins in the final, who had beaten a strong Wallingford side in their semi. Chinnor again started the strongest with Jack Ellis opening the scoring. Then the Chinnor forwards took over with a remarkable maul that they drove from their own half to the opposition try line creating a five metre scrum from which Chinnor scored a try. Chinnor dominated the rest of the match with a simple, powerful game of solid tackling and quick passing and went on to score another four tries to win the game 34 ? 0.

The squad:
Thomas Strathdee (Capt.), Charlie Krabbe, Iestyn James, Adam Caldwell, Reggie Hubbocks, Samuel Hook, Jack Ellis, Finn Tapping, James Millett, Harry Lowe, Ben MacIntosh, Berkuk Kumdah, Nathaniel Heather, Fred Swift, Tom Bellars

ON a warm and sunny spring day, Chinnor finished their season in good style, running out 23-12 winners against a competitive Bournemouth team to finish fourth in the league.

With James Cathcart unavailable due to school commitments, Ben Hewitt took the fly half roll and Tom Shiel came in on the left wing.

Chinnor began in bright style, attacking from the off and their efforts were rewarded with two penalty goals from Ben Hewitt. On the 21st minute skipper Matt Hutchings was yellow carded but this only served to stimulate the Chinnor side. Attacking deep in the Bournemouth corner, Hewitt unexpectedly launched a cross field kick. Shiel expertly collected the ball, sidestepped his marker and touched down for Chinnor’s first try of the afternoon. Converted by Hewitt, this gave Chinnor an 11-0 lead. Chinnor continued to control the ball and denied Bournemouth possession for long periods. The Chinnor backs continued to run the ball at every opportunity and on the 39th minute, Serrano bashed his way over for the second Chinnor try of the half. Going in at half-time, Chinnor led 18-0.

The Bournemouth halftime talk was clearly effective as, within three minutes of the restart, they scored a well worked try from winger Mike Pope. Chinnor loose head Winpenny then left the field with an eye injury, to be replaced by Ian Stock. Bournemouth was soon in attack, led by influential centre Robert Bruce. This time he fed fellow centre Ben Stewart for a well taken try. With the conversion from Mike Pope, the match score was now 18-12 to Chinnor.

Bournemouth was clearly coming into the match and Chinnor had to defend their line for long periods. The pressure was relieved for Chinnor in the 70th minute when Richie Williams cut back against the defence to score Chinnor’s third try.

At the full-time whistle, Chinnor were relieved to claim the victory by 23 points to 12.

This was an attractive game of rugby played at pace and with attacking intentions from both sides clear from the onset. Chinnor’s set piece form was good and their scrumming troubled the abrasive visitors throughout the match. Both flankers, Jones and Williams, were tireless throughout. The Chinnor backs had a good day with some well executed, sharp passing movements. Bournemouth looked a dangerous side when they had the ball. By denying them very much possession in the match and defending expertly in the red zone, Chinnor negated the considerable danger from the Dorset visitors.

Chinnor team: Wallace, Serrano (Elder 65), Williams R, Stoop, Shiel, Hewitt, Prescott, Winpenny (Stock 53), Cawston, Whelan Hutchings, Jackman, Jones (Gilbert 58), Williams M, Mowbray (Hastings 73).

Oxfordshire Cup Semi – 17 April vs. Oxford Harlequins (A) Kick off 2:30pm

AWAY MATCH – Saturday, April 10, 2010 – NEWBURY 1, THAME UNITED 4

WITH promotion confirmed in their previous game at Eton Wick, United travelled to Berkshire looking to collect another three points in their bid to secure the league title.

On a warm April afternoon, it was the home side who settled quickly in to their game, taking the lead after only 12 minutes when a free kick on the Thame right floated over the head of keeper Lee Orkney and in to the back of the net. United looked to respond swiftly, with Luke Ricketts and Ben Connelly on the left and right wing respectively, causing most problems for the home defence. However, United rarely tested the home keeper, and the best chance over the next twenty minutes fell to centre back Mitchell Meredith who placed a header just wide from a corner. United did, however, find the equaliser three minutes before the break. Striker Adam Stallwood did well to win a corner, and was then on hand to meet Aaron Rogers?s cross with a glancing header that beat the home keeper.

United opened the second half brightly but were initially unable to take advantage of their greater possession. Indeed, they were indebted to Orkney in the 52nd when he made a point blank save to keep the scores level. Five minutes later and United were ahead. Rogers raced on to a through ball from right back Steve Newell and, starting the ball wide of the goal, expertly curled the ball around the keeper and in to the bottom corner of the net. Ten minutes later and United made it three. Luke Ricketts refused to give up on a through ball from Lawrence El-Kassir, collecting it on the bye-line before beating his marker and squaring for Stallwood who was on hand to comfortably place the ball wide of the keeper.

Whilst Newbury continued to press, United were happy to play on the break and the fourth goal duly arrived on 82 minutes. Man of the match Luke Ricketts collected the ball just inside the Newbury half and beat three defenders before racing in to the penalty area and driving the ball wide of the keeper and in to the bottom corner of the goal. Five minutes later and Ricketts nearly repeated the feat and, despite several other half chances, United ultimately had to settle for a relatively comfortable 4-1 win.

On Saturday (17th April) United travel to second place Wokingham and Emmbrook knowing that a win against their nearest rivals will almost certainly give them the league title.

Thame United: Orkney (Searl), Newell, Meredith, Cowan, Way, Connelly (Hoskins), El-Kassir, Rhodes (Braun), Rogers, Stallwood, Ricketts.

THE Champaign corks popped on Thursday evening (08/04/10) when Thame united secured promotion to the Hellenic Premier League as a result of a 2-1 win at Eton Wick.

A jubilant Captain, Mark West, said: “It?s really nice to have achieved promotion with five games to go. We have established a good lead at the top but still need to be at our best to secure the championship which will be the icing on the cake.

“Our main aim this season was to try and gain promotion, especially with our new stadium underway, so Frank and I are delighted.?

Thame now go into their final games knowing that 10 points from their remaining fixtures will guarantee the title. “That?s on the basis that Wokingham win all of their remaining games which will be no mean feat in itself,” added Mark.

“We were really pleased that Ben Connelly came through 90 mins last night and Stuart Braun put in a good hour with both returning to the side after recent injuries.”

Thame travel to Newbury on Saturday with influential midfielde,r Adam Rhodes, also back in the squad after missing last night’s game due to work commitment.

MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

After a good start, United took the lead in the 7th minute when Adam Stallwood played a ball to Luke Rickets who ran on the left wing before hitting a good cross which Connelly met with a superb glancing header which finished in the bottom right hand corner on the goal. United had the majority of possession for the remainder of the half with both Ricketts and Stallwood going close and goalkeeper Lee Orkney largely untroubled.

Thame?s second came five minutes after the restart when Stallwood took the ball from a defender near the halfway line and ran at goal. When challenged, he passed to Connelly who made a run on the right before squaring the ball back to the unmarked Stallwood who finished confidently from 16-yards. Thame controlled the play and created several chances. Lawrence El Kassir was unlucky to see his goal bound shot blocked and substitute Tom Hoskin forced a good save from the Eton keeper. With the light fading and about five minutes remaining, the home team were awarded a free kick near their left corner. Matt Bell hit a hard ball into the box which hit a Thame player and was deflected into the goal, giving Orkney no chance. When the final Whistle blew United were sportingly congratulated by the Eton Players and left the field to the applause of the dozen or so Thame faithful who had made the journey.

With five matches remaining the focus moves to gaining the ten points needed to secure the league title. This assumes that Wokingham gain maximum points from their remaining fixtures, including a home tie with United on 17th April.

Thame United: Orkney, Newell (Wakelin), J. Way, Meredith, Cowan, EL-Kassir, Connelly, Rogers (c) Stallwood (G. Way), Braun (Hoskin), Ricketts.

United?s last home game of the season is at Wallingford on April 24th when they will again face Eton Wick.

LEAGUE MATCH – 07/04/12:Fairford Town 0 Thame United 3.

THAME united returned to their winning ways at Fairford Town on Saturday (07/04/12) when they defeated their hosts 0-3. Due to non availability, suspension, and injuries United were forced to make six changes from the side that played mid week, fielding three reserve players and even bringing Club Chairman Jake Collinge on as a substitute in the final minutes. It was difficult to play quality football on the uneven playing surface and, as assistant manager Frank Thompson remarked at half time ?the pitch had more bobbles than a woolly hat shop?.

After an encouraging start, Thame took the lead in the 15th minute when Brad Chalmers did well to rise above defenders and head in a Luke Ricketts corner from an acute angle. Thame had slightly more possession for the remainder of the half but there were few chances at either end, although Ricketts went close just before the break.

United controlled the second half. Their second goal came in the 50th minute when Ben Grey met a ball from his left with a glorious 20-yard volley, the ball hitting the far post before crossing the line. Then Nil Rhodes, Grey, and substitute Jacob Davis all went close to increasing the lead. It was however Adam Rhodes, recently returned to fitness after a lengthy spell out with an injury, who got Thame?s final goal, 15 minutes from time. Rickets made the goal by beating his marker and running to the left by-line before playing a superb cross to Rhodes whose hurried shot hit the same post before crossing the goal line.

Whilst Fairford are one of the league?s weaker teams this was a good performance by Thame. The players who usually play for the reserves were impressive, and have good prospects of many more first team appearances.

Thame United: M Higgs, I Pykett (Davis), P Pykett, Chalmers, N Rhodes, Barr (Hunt), Connelly, Grey (Collinge), Hall, A Rhodes, Ricketts.

A MARATHON football match, organised by a work colleague of a young Thame man, killed in a road crash last year, has raised funds for the proposed Thame Youth Memorial.

The match was held last Saturday, 03/04/10, at the Thame Leisure Centre, where the late Greg Stiles worked as a lifeguard. It was organised by fellow lifeguard, Jamie Surman, who like Greg, is a former student at Lord Williams’s school in Thame.

Before the four hour-long football match started, Greg’s mother, Maggie Stiles, spoke about the work going on to provide a Thame Youth Memorial, and to give her thanks to those participating in the match, which raised

MARK West’s Thame United go into their game with Eton Wick tomorrow, Thursday, April 8, knowing that victory will secure them a return to the Hellenic Premier League.

With just five games to go, they are currently sitting 15 points clear at the top of Hellenic League Division One, East, following their 4-0 victory over Kintbury at the weekend and the defeats of challengers, Wokingham and Embrook and Holyport.

Mark explained: “We missed a few good chances in the first half which would have sewn the game up, but after a rocket at half time, the lads responded really well and played some good stuff second half.”

Thame did not play on Monday, which gave a few teams a chance to narrow the gap. Mark concluded: “It?s quite nice that we have got the points in the bag and teams have to chase us now. There are some tough matches to come in April but we go into Thursday?s match knowing that we can gain promotion before we go into our last five games.”

PHOTO: Mark West

LEAGUE MATCH – 03/04/10 – Thame United 4 Vs Kintbury Rangers 0; MATCH REPORT – United strengthened their position as league leaders at Wallingford on Saturday with a 4-0 win over Kintbury Rovers. All four goals came in the second half.

The first 35 minutes were uneventful with neither side creating any real chances and very little to choose between the two sides. With about 10 minutes of the half remaining however, Thame left winger, Luke Ricketts and Right winger, Stuart Barr, swapped positions and United were immediately more of a threat. Thame found the back of the net when Mark Jones met a Ricketts free kick but he was ruled off-side. Minutes later another Jones header was cleared off the line by a defender. Both Barr and Jones forced good saves from impressive visiting keeper Kane Roberts before the break.

Three minutes after the restart Roberts made an outstanding save, with his legs, from a Ricketts shot. Thame were now in control but the game was still goalless. The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when another Ricketts shot on the right was blocked by a defender but this time the ball fell to Jones who did well to hit a strong, acutely angled shot pass Roberts from 15-Yards. Thame?s second goal came with 15 minutes remaining when Lawrence El-Kassir met a corner near the far post and headed back across goal, where the ball struck a defender, and was deflected over the line. Following Barr?s substitution, Ricketts moved back to the left wing from where he created the third goal.

With nine minutes remaining, Ricketts collected a ball from Aaron Rogers and ran at goal before unleashed a strong shot which Roberts parried, but which then fell into the path of the onrushing Jones, who finished well from close range. Thame?s final goal came three minutes later and, if the TV cameras had been there, it would have been a strong contender for goal of the month. Talented striker Rogers robbed an opponent of the ball on the right, about 10-yards into the visitor?s half, and ran to the corner of the area from where he hit a superb shot over Roberts and into the top left corner. Although Kintbury tried to respond, they were a spent force and Thame kept another clean sheet.

This was United?s ninth successive win. They are now 15 points clear at the top of the league and are one of only three clubs who could now take the title.

Thame United: Searle, Newell, Meredith, Cowan, N. Rhodes, El Kassir, Barr (Hoskin), A. Rhodes, Jones, Rogers (J Way), Ricketts (Wakelin).

United are away to Newbury next Saturday (10th). Their next home game is on 24th April when Eton Wick are the visitors.