Category: Sports News

THE mini section at Chinnor Rugby Club marked the end of the season with a fun day attended by over 200 players and their families. Children who have trained and played at the club were organised into mixed-aged teams and competed in a series of races and challenges.

The Kingsey Road grounds were filled with the sound of players aged 6-12 years-old, taking part in wheelbarrow races, obstacle courses, tug of war as well as kicking and throwing competitions.

The fun day (02/05/09) was a fitting end to a great season for the mini section at the club. Every age group, from under 6s to under 12s, have played well and won several trophies which are proudly displayed in the club house. Under 6s, 7s and 8s are introduced to rugby by playing tag rugby. They are coached, by a great team of volunteers, to work together and be sporty. Under 9s and 10s learn to tackle, scrum and develop their passing skills. The under 11s and 12s prepare for 15-a-side rugby and had a successful tour earlier this year.

The weather started cold and clear and warmed up in time for a feast of a BBQ laid on by the under 9s parents. Full of hotdogs & burgers, the mini section players looked in for the awards ceremony. Players of the season and most improved players were recognised for each age group.

“Thank yous” were said to all the volunteer coaches and helpers. A huge well done to all the mini section players and a look forward to next season which starts in September!

LAST Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Chinnor RFC Oxen (Vets) XV took to the pitch in the final of the Oxfordshire Vets Floodlit Cup over at Oxford RFC, North Hinksey, to play Harwell Vets, having dispatched Witney Vets and Oxford Harlequins Vets in earlier rounds.

The Chinnor boys were much fancied and so it was that the 26 man squad went in to battle in the fading light, and with good support, started strongly with two tries from John Sellars in quick succession from the Wing. A further score from Jon Brooks and a conversion from Dave Wells saw Chinnor in command, toying with Harwell who, by the end of the first half, failed to find the space or the pass to capitalise on possession or territorial advantage.

A soel penalty from Harwell saw the match 17-3 at half time with Harwell wondering what they had to do to win some possession.

Chinnor Vets had secured second spot in their league the Saturday before and so the squad feeling within the camp was excellent, though slightly unhappy that they were only allowed to use four subs in this match.

The second half was largely uneventful with the only breach being a break away from Harwell and the match ended 17 -10, giving Chinnor Vets a comfortable win. John Sellars was man of the match.

Huge credit has to go to Harwell who managed to play the final in the face of adversity with a squad bereavement only the week before this match.

It’s been a long and rewarding season for the Senior side at Chinnor ending with a second place league finish and the Cup – a huge turnaround.

Chinnor vets:
Rob Atkin, Mike Bailey, Mike Bambrook, Conor Begley, Alan Beveridge, Steve Bridges, Jon Brooks, Carl Buckland, John Cann, Terry Chappel, James Conolly, Craig Dalziel, ‘Stumpy’, Will Deeley, Tim DeGlanville, Chris Ellis, Nathan Ellis, Paul Ewens, Gordon Fennell, Paul Fincken, Ben Forward, Neal Gilbert, Kieron Hall, Josh Hill, Rob Hill, Rupert Hill, Simon Hill, Tony Howells, Mike Hughes, Doug Humphries, ‘Hutty’, Craig Jones, Nigel Leech, Peter Levitt, Jez March, Si Matthews, Pete McDermott, Pete Naylor, ‘Mad’ Mike Neuman, Dan Palmer, Jeremy Philpott, Rich Pitman, Dave Ratcliffe, Stuart Reynolds, John Sellars, ‘Simmo’, Craig Smith, Mark Turvey, John Vaughan, Andre van der Mewe, Dave Wells, Clive Weston, Gary Whelan, Mike Wiltshire, ‘Kritter’, Gavin Williams, Dr Jonathan Williams, Adam Woodliffe, Paul Wright & Tim Wright

EALING’S loss to Lydney at the weekend, condemns Chinnor’s drop to a lower league.

With Lydney winning 17-10 against Ealing on Saturday, all hopes of remaining in their current league was dashed for Chinnor firsts.

Next season, they will play in National 3 South West (the new name for what was South West 1).

THE accolade of Players Player of the Year for the First Team went to Ben Connelly, who has been almost ever present in Thame United’s first team over the last four seasons, was announced at the club’s end of season presentation evening on Saturday (25/04/09).

With over 40 players and Committee Members attending, it was an enjoyable evening as Chairman and First Team, Reserve Team and Youth Team Managers reviewed the season both on and off the field.

Managers Player of the Year went to Club captain, Lee Thompson, who over the last few months of the season had been an inspirational influence in turning around the fortunes of the Club, but suffered a broken leg in the penultimate game of the season. A joint award of Most Improved Player went to Steve Newell and Lawrence El-Kassir, who both joined the Club at the start of the season and during the course of the year have become regular first team players. The coveted Supporters Player of the Year was presented to Sam Cowan, a versatile defender/midfielder who has come up through the ranks of Thame Boys, and who across the course of the season has put in a number of match winning performances.

For the Reserve Section, Matt Gibbs won both the Players Player and Managers Player of the Year Award, whilst Ryan Chapman was awarded Most Improved Player. Manager Marcus Walker, who stands down at the end of the season, was thanked for his hard work in running the reserve team over the course of the last three years.

For the Youth team, manager Steve Meredith reviewed the season, his last before stepping aside for Gary Leach to take up the reins. The Most Improved Player award went to Pat Blore, with Craig Connell picking up the Players Player and Managers Player of the year award.

There will only be a small amount of time for the players to rest, with pre-season training commencing in mid-May!

MATCH REPORT; Kintbury Rangers 2 versus Thame United 4

UNITED travelled to Berkshire on Saturday, April 25, 2009, uncertain as to whether the abandoned fixture with Penn & Tylers Green the previous Tuesday was to be replayed and if the Kintbury match represented the last game of the season.

Whatever the uncertainty, United knew they had to win to maximize the chances of a top ten finish and the potential for FA Cup football next season and they put in a polished, professional performance to comfortably defeat their hosts and end the season with only one defeat in their last thirteen fixtures.

United opened the scoring in the 11th minute when a Luke Ricketts cross from the right was taken down well by Stuart Barr on the edge of the box who turned and drilled the ball in to the bottom corner of the next. United had the ball in the back of the net again a minute later when Ricketts finished well, only for the referee to award a foul by Thomas Hoskin in the build-up to the goal. At this stage, United were comfortably in control, but there followed a mad couple of minutes as Kintbury turned the game on its head. First in the 23rd minutes a cross from the right was stabbed in to an empty net by Shaun Thorp for the equaliser, whilst a minute later Kintbury were awarded a penalty in controversial circumstances when Kintbury took a quick free kick whilst the referee was still in discussion with a Thame player following an earlier incident. Despite this, the referee allowed play to continue and a Kintbury player was fouled in the box, with Shaun Dyke converting the penalty.

It was not long before Thame equalized, Mitchell Meredith hit a perfect cross field ball to Ricketts who crossed first time to Hoskin who confidently swept the ball beyond the keeper. United then went ahead just before half time when Mark Jones found himself in space in the penalty area and drilled the ball beyond the despairing dive of the Kintbury keeper.

With five goals in the first half the second half was a bit of an anti-climax. Thame controlled the majority of the possession and defended well, effectively killing off the game in the 56th minute when Rhodes found Ricketts on the edge of the box, who placed the ball high in to the roof of the net.

Thame did find the back of the net again 10 minutes later when a Dave Hocking header from a free kick went in off the post, but the referee again pulled play back for an off-side decision. The remainder of the game passed by without incident as United left the field to warm applause from their band of followers.

Thame United ? Searl, Meredith, Newell (Way), Cowan, Hocking, El-Kassir, A.Rhodes, Barr Ricketts, Hoskin (Bloomfield) Jones.

Photo: Left to right – Mark Jones, Stuart Barr and Thomas Hoskin

MATCH REPORT: Saturday, April 18, 2009 – Home match Chinnor 29pts, London Scottish 59 pts. (Contributed)

WITHIN minutes of the game starting it became patently evident why London Scottish are top of the league and have remained unbeaten all season. With James Brown, Gary Trueman, Iain Fullerton and Chinnor “old boy,” Paul Volley, all having played Premiership Rugby last season in their ranks, there was a huge amount of experience in the team. They looked a well oiled machine and, from the first whistle, were obviously intent in maintaining their unblemished record.

Although Chinnor held them at bay for 11 minutes, during which time they hardly had a touch of the ball, London Scottish then rattled up five tries in the ensuing 24 minutes, leaving Chinnor facing a massive defeat. A try by James Serrano, five minutes before the interval, gave Chinnor a little respite but trailing by 35 points to three at half time and obviously much more to come from the Scottish juggernaut, any chance of Chinnor gaining a point from the game by scoring another three tries appeared slim.

That they scored four tries in the second half by playing some quite outstanding attacking rugby, gave Chinnor a glimmer of hope in remaining in this most prestigious of leagues.

With Chris Mahoney out with a broken thumb and Arthur Ellis on Wasps duties, Trevor Powell came back into the centre with stalwart Alan Cawston to over the hooking duties.

The game started at breakneck speed with the big, speedy and streetwise Scottish calling all the shots. Chinnor defended stoutly during the first 11 minutes, but it was inevitable that a try was in the offing at any time. Ben Gotting, another player of some pedigree, was the first to score. Rory Damant then went over twice in the space of four minutes, the second from a huge overlap, before Gareth Swales and William Lipp added to the Chinnor woes. James Brown converted all five tries.

Then it was Chinnor’s turn. In one of their few incursions into Scottish territory, they moved the ball along the line to James Serrano who dipped his shoulder to bounce off his opposite number, retain his footing, and score a fine individual try. So, 35 points to three at half-time with Chinnor facing down the barrel of a fairly large shot-gun.

Chinnor started with real intent straight after the interval. They went close before spreading the ball wide. A potential scoring pass, intended for Richard Williams just five metres from the line, was intercepted by winger Charles Broughton who ran the length of the field to score under the posts. This was cruel in the extreme in that it was just two minutes into the second half with Chinnor looking to score. With Brown adding the easy conversion and then adding two more from tries by Livingston Grant, an Andy Ripley look-alike, particularly in stature, made the score 54 points to five with 30 minutes remaining.

This heralded a Chinnor revival of some epic proportion. Firstly Trevor Powell picked up a loose ball some 25 metres out to scythe through the Scottish defence and score near the posts. James Cathcart, now at full back following a tactical switch with Ben Hewitt, converted. Just four minutes later, Hewiitt cut inside to wrongfoot the Scottish defence to go over the line. Three tries scored, 21 minutes remaining and one try needed to gain a bonus point. Could Chinnor do it? Yes they could. Four minutes later a sweeping move from a set piece scrum saw the ball move sweetly to young Tom Sheil. He rounded his opposite number to score what may be Chinnor’s most important try of the season. Not to be outdone, Scottish then added another try from substitute, Lorne Ward, before Hewitt went over for his brace of tries with Cathcart converting from the touchline. This left a second half scoreline reading of 24 points apiece.

It was quite euphoric at the final whistle at Kingsey Road. To come back from a 49 point deficit with 30 minutes remaining is no mean feat by anyone’s standards. A great team performance even though the scoreline was pretty emphatic in Scottish’s favour. However this too can be placed in context in that Scottish have only conceded three tries in any of their games in this campaign, whilst their average points against is a measly 11.

There were some outstanding individual performances from the Chinnor boys where many names could be mentioned. One though, who has to be mentioned in dispatches, is Alan “Cosher ” Cawston. He has, because of working duties, only been on the periphery this season and has consequently only had the odd first team run-out. To play in such a hard game after such a lengthy absence take more than a few knocks, keep going and stay with the pace. speaks volumes for his attitude. He epitomises the Chinnor spirit.

MATCH REPORT – Saturday, April 18 – Rayners Lane 0, Thame United 1.

UNITED eased to victory against Rayners Lane on Saturday in a game where the score line does little to emphasise their dominance.

The opening exchanges were fairly even and it was not until the 20th minute that the first goal scoring opportunity arrived. A Stuart Barr free kick from wide on the right was met by the head of Luke Ricketts, who saw his effort well saved by the keeper. Three minutes later and United should have taken the lead. A well worked corner was played out to Adam Rhodes, who side stepped one defender before delivering an inch perfect cross on to the head of Mark Jones, whose effort flew the wrong side of the post.

Five minutes before the break, United had their best chance of the half. Jones found Tom Hoskin with a through ball and, in a one-on-one with the keeper, Hoskin sought to round the keeper, only for the keepers outstretched leg to get to the ball and force him wide, by which time the opportunity was lost. Rayners Lane then had their best opportunity, when their quick right back ran through a static Thame defence and, with Searl narrowing the angle, the shot went just wide of the far post.

United did not have to wait long after half time to break the deadlock. On 48 minutes, Jones crossed from the right for Hoskin, whose effort from eight yards beat the keeper but came back off the post. Thankfully for Thame, Rhodes was the quickest to react and he placed the ball into an empty net from close range. United had two good opportunities to wrap-up the points shortly afterwards. First, Rhodes met a Jones cross with a powerful half volley that the keeper pushed over the bar, and a minute later Ricketts went on a jinking run, and having worked space for himself, shot against the bar. 10 minutes later a Barr free kick was flicked on for Rhodes who shot just wide and Barr himself nearly scored with a near post shot five minutes later. By this time, with United on top, Rayners Lane resorted to foul tactics and to the surprise of most present, two ugly incidents did not result in a home player receiving his marching orders. In the end, Thame held on comfortably for a win, and could have extended their lead a couple of minutes from the end when Rhodes met a Meredith cross with a powerful header that was well saved by the keeper.

United travel to Penn on Tuesday (6:30pm) before completing their season the following Saturday with a trip to Kintbury Rangers (3:00pm kick off).

Thame United ? Searl, Meredith, Cowan, Thompson, Hocking, El-Kassir, A.Rhodes, Connelly (Rickeets), Barr, Jones, Hoskin (Rogers).

Photo: Goal scorer, Adam Rhodes

MATCH REPORT – Away game Monday, April 13, 2009 – South Kilburn 1, Thame United 1.

UNITED made their first ever trip to South Kilburn on Monday afternoon for their fifth game in ten days, whilst Kilburn had benefited from a 10-day rest since their previous game.

Despite the prospect that fatigue may set in after such a busy schedule, with the score 1-1 at half time, there was only ever one team that was going to win the game in the second period as United again demonstrated their high fitness levels. Alas, a winning goal was not forthcoming and United had to settle for a point, making it 21 points from their last 10 fixtures.

United started the brighter of the two teams and it was not long before they took the lead. A corner from the right caused problems for the Kilburn defence and Tom Hoskin was on hand to finish from close range, taking his tally to 13 for the season. Despite having opportunities to extend the lead and with Searl in the Thame goal rarely threatened, it was a surprise when Kilburn equalized 10 minutes before the break. United were perhaps guilty of standing off the Kilburn forward 25 yards from goal, but with back to goal no one could have expected the sharp turn and left foot shot that saw the ball sail over Searl and in to the top corner of the goal.

With the scores level at half time, United pressed forward in the second half looking for a winner. Although they had the majority of possession and the game was almost entirely played in the Kilburn half, United created few goal scoring opportunities and, when they did, they were unable to trouble the Kilburn keeper. With frustration setting-in winger Stuart Barr was sent off for two bookable offences, whilst manager Mark West was forced in to making an appearance in an attempt to secure the three points. Despite some good touches and vision, the manager?s introduction failed to change United?s fortunes in front of goal and the final whistle came with United still pressing for a winner despite being down to 10 men.

United face a trip to Rayners Lane on Saturday, (18/04/09)before facing Penn & Tylers Green away on Tuesday evening (21/04). United will be looking for two wins in an attempt to secure a top half finish that offers the prospect of FA Cup football next season.

Thame United ? Searl, Meredith, Way (El-Kassir), Hocking, Thompson, Cowan, A.Rhodes, Barr Ricketts, Jones (West) Hoskin.

MATCH REPORT Chinnor v Richmond – Saturday, April 11,2009 – Chinnor 21 pts Richmond 35pts.

TWO key moments towards the latter stages cost Chinnor dearly at Kingsey road on Saturday. Trailing by just seven points, they had an attacking scrum just 15 metres out from the Richmond line. Richmond were allowed to disrupt the Chinnor put-in and scramble the ball away to safety. Then minutes later, Chinnor, instead of keeping the ball in hand some 35 metres from the Richmond goal line, elected to put up a kick, which was easily fielded inside their opponents 22, allowing Francois Van Schalkwyk to call a mark.
Expecting a kick to touch, they were totally off guard when the winger ran the ball resulting in a try some seconds later with the Chinnor defence at sixes and sevens. That Matt Hart, who only missed one kick all afternoon, converted from the touchline only rubbed salt into the wound. So looking at a bonus point at least, with just minutes to go, they were left with nothing.
This was cruel in that Chinnor had fought hard in an endeavour to claw the game back after front rowers Arthur Ellis, who ran superbly for his try and Joe Winpenny who forced his way over in in the corner, had given them heart.

Chinnor made just the one change with Ben Hewitt coming into the centre for the absent Trevor Powell, Chris Mahoney going from the wing to full back and Tom Sheil starting on the wing. Chinnor started superbly going close on two occasions before Hewitt and Mahoney combined to carve out an opening allowing Richard Williams to score in the corner. This was in the second minute and when James Cathcart added a penalty five minutes later, Chinnor were eight points to the good. Matt Hart then kicked two penalties in the 10th and 17th minutes. Both Cathcart and Hart then exchanged penalties and with four minutes to go before the interval Chinnor had their noses just ahead.

Richmond were now beginning to control the set pieces and after a pressurising the Chinnor line, Kris Greene, their lively scrum half, spotted a gap and went over fairly near the posts allowing Hart an easy conversion. This meant that Chinnor were five points adrift at the half-time whistle.

For the first five minutes of the second period, Chinnor found it most difficult to get their hands on the ball. Chinnor then had a put-in at the scrummage some seven metres from their line. Richmond, who were now causing a few problems up front, caught Chinnor in possession on their line. In the resultant melee and with bodies everywhere, the referee decided that Richmond had scored. It was not evident who had conjured this try, but with the Richmond players congratulating their No.3 the conclusion was reached that it must have been Nick Gaskell.

Not to be denied Chinnor then scored when Arthur Ellis intercepted a pass to run some 55 metres, and though hotly pursued by winger Jo Ajuwa, managed to shrug off his tackle to score a fine individual try. It was then Richmond’s turn again when Ajuwa turned on the after burners to outstrip the Chinnor defence and score wide out. Hart added the conversion. Joe Winpenny was next to keep the Chinnor hopes alive when he took a pass from Ben Hewitt to touch down in the corner. When Winpenny took the pass he still had it all to do but he dipped his shoulder and went over in fine style.

With 17 minutes left at this stage, and the score 28 points to 21 in Richmond’s favour it was still all to play for. However the odd wrong option caused Chinnor grief in the final stages and this was compounded by a Richmond try out of nothing, at the end of the game.

There was no doubt that Richmond deserved the win. They starved Chinnor of possession at many phases and were quite clinical in their finishing. Matt Hart, their captain was an influential and shrewd player who controlled the Richmond tactics at all times. Chinnor’s fate at this level, lies in their performance next Saturday against the all conquering London Scottish who, no doubt, will wish to finish the season unbeaten and hence award Chinnor no favours.

Looking for omens? Well last season Barking had to win against an unbeaten Mounts Bay to stay in National 3. Against all odds they did just that. Who knows, there could be a repeat. An unfancied Chinnor had the better of high flying Ealing. Is there a sting in the tail? Now that would be the stuff that dreams are made of.

AFTER a sometimes frustrating few months during which weather conditions have forced the postponement of many fixtures, teams from Thame Tennis Club have been completing their winter season matches.

In the Aylesbury league, the Ladies 2 team, captained by Rosie Knight have secured second place in Division 5. Their last 5 matches have seen the team achieve 3 victories ? a 7 sets to 1 win away to Aylesbury; a 5 sets to 3 win at home to Widmer End and, for their last match of the season a resounding 8 sets to 0 win also at home against Horsenden. A draw of 4 sets all away to Oving and defeat against Princes Risborough last month completes their results. Team: A Green, P Barfield, A Morgan, L See, H Richards.

Also in the Aylesbury League, the Mixed Team in Division 4 also finished their winter season on a high note with a strong away win of 7 sets to 1 against Wingrave 2. First pair, Dawn Munro and Kevin Bowers, defeated the hosts first pair 6-3 6-4 and the second pair 6-2 6-0. Thame second pair, Pip Barfield and team captain John Ansell, were also successful against the Wingrave first pair with a 2 sets victory of 6-2 6-0. Pip and John then halved their match against the second pair 6-4 4-6.

Fortunes had been reversed a few weeks earlier when the team’s unbeaten run came to an end with defeat away to Horsenden by 7 sets to 1. However, with another strong win of 8 sets to 0 at home to Cheddington 3, where 7 of the 8 sets were won by Thame with a score of 6 games to 1, this gave the final standing of the team, whose other members included John Patrick, Stella Marsh and Terry Merry a very respectable tally of 5 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses overall.

For more information about Thame Tennis Club please go to their website at www.thametennisclub.org.uk