Category: Sports News

THAME’S fencing team secured a strong 7-2 win against local rivals Burford Blades last Thursday. The home win completed the double against Burford this season, Thame having won the away leg over the summer.
Thame were bolstered by the return to competition of former Captain Andy Green, who opened his account with a convincing win over Burford?s captain. The whole team was on form and the match was quickly wrapped up, giving Thame the luxury of bringing on substitutes for the final bouts.

The club has recently received grants from Thame Town Council and from CPM UK. Club Chairman, James Kingston, said: ?We?re really grateful to the Town Council and to CPM for their support. These grants will be a fantastic help to us in buying new kit to make fencing more affordable, especially for our younger fencers, and enable them to compete as they?ve done so successfully tonight.?

Thame: James Kingston, Andy Green, Alec Jeddere-Fisher, Selina Humphries, Beth Carpenter, James Foster

Thame Duellists Fencing Club, which meets on Thursday evenings at Lord Williams?s lower school in Thame,
welcomes new members, both adults and juniors. Anyone interested should call Club Chairman James Kingston on 07947 049511

Chinnor 14 pts Dings Crusaders 20 pts.

YET another bitter pill to swallow for the Chinnor team.
Leading 14 pts to 13, and well into injury time, a scrum 5 metres out from the Chinnor line settled the game. With second rower, Harry Jackman nursing an injured shoulder and prop James Eckert feeling his
ribs, Dings took full advantage and with influential No.8 Michael Panoho calling the shots they shunted Chinnor backwards to their line.

With the referee adjudging that Chinnor had broken their binding he awarded Dings a penalty try which gave the visitors game set and match. Just prior to this Chinnor had defended courageously but
unfortunately lost a strike against the head which allowed a Dings put in for the deciding scrummage.

Chinnor juggled their three-quarter line which saw Richard Williams move onto the wing, Trevor Powell coming back into the centre and Toby Prescott starting in his favoured scrum half spot. With both
Sam Black and Duncan Williams unavailable, Harry Jackman moved into the second row and Adam Hastings started at No.6 with he two Wasps Academy players, Bob Baker and Thomas Shiel on the bench.

Chinnor lost the toss and were asked to play with the
wind. They were first on the score sheet by virtue of a well struck penalty by Ben Hewitt in the 4th. minute of play. A try by Richard Jenkins following the referee reversing his original decision in
awarding Chinnor a penalty, this as a result of one of his assistants indicating foul play by David Jackson who was yellow carded, put Dings in the lead. The conversion by Adam Westall from near the touchline
and into the wind only rubbed salt into what already had appeared to be rough justice from a Chinnor standpoint. However another well-struck
penalty from Ben Hewitt and well worked try with Alex Wallace providing the final pass for James Serrano to touch down gave Chinnor an interval lead by just 4 points.

Chinnor started the second half in a positive manner,
camping themselves inside the opposition 22 metre line. Their only reward for this period of sustained pressure was another penalty from the boot of Ben Hewitt to extend the lead. A silly piece of
indiscipline in that Chinnor ran the ball from a penalty instead of slowing things down and hoovering the ball into touch, resulted in the ball carrier isolating himself, holding onto the ball and gifting the prolific Westall an easy three points. What had been a Chinnor advantage some seconds earlier had rebounded in spades. Then Panoho was sin-binned for felling David Jackson with a cleaving uppercut, the
difference between red and yellow must have been marginal, and with 10 minutes remaining the picture looked distinctly rosy for Chinnor as it appeared that it would be touch and go for him to be back on the park at the final whistle. In fact he was on for 12 minutes in the elongated second half. The remaining minutes were spent near the Chinnor line.

With almost everyone wishing the whistle to blow to give Chinnor the win, it did, but not to signal full-time instead it indicated the penalty try and the rest as they say is history.

To say that the changing room was “down” after the game puts it mildly. The Chinnor lads were devastated
as they thought they had victory within their grasp. Once again it was not to be. They know they have the technical nouse to be there or thereabouts. Its the concentration at key periods in the game that has
to be tightened. Pretty much mind over matter.

NOVEMBER 1, 2008 – MATCH REPORT – score: Canterbury 10 vs Chinnor 10.

THIS was a gutsy performance by Chinnor, epitomised by Ben Hewitt who left the field for the blood bin only to return some 13 minutes later with 5 stitches having been inserted in his eyelid. The result could have been better from a Chinnor standpoint in that they missed several kicks at goal with two of these efforts hitting the upright. They also went very close to increasing their try count when Darren Oxley in particular was dragged down inches short of the Canterbury line.

Chinnor took the field, in dreadful conditions, having to once again change their starting line-up. With Eric Brown and Trevor Powell joining the list of unavailables, James Serrano started with Toby Prescott once again being required to go onto the wing. Duncan Williams made his debut coming into the second row in place of the injured Sam Black. Playing into a swirling wind it was all Chinnor in the opening stages, pinning Canterbury in their own territory for long periods. With Chinnor having an opportunity to take the lead via a penalty, only to hit the post, a Canterbury break-out in the 32nd minute saw them take the lead, when, after a string of pick-up and drives near the Chinnor line , they spread the ball to their three’s giving centre James Birnage the space to go over under the posts. Gert De Kock added the conversion. Chinnor came back and were rewarded when they too drove the ball forward with a series of pick-up and drives which resulted in Arthur Ellis scoring wide-out.

Chinnor started the second half again on the attack. A fumble in the Canterbury three-quarter line gave the alert Serrano the chance to pick-up and score. Try as they could, going very close on a number of occasions to going over the line, and hitting the posts once again with a penalty attempt, not easy in now worsening conditions, they could not extend their lead. A penalty goal by De Kock minutes later levelled the scores which remained so at the final whistle. The ball by now was akin to a bar of soap and with the rain, wind and the freezing temperature, both teams were not sorry to hear the final blast of the whistle.

For Chinnor, Duncan Williams made an excellent debut. He secured his line-out ball and looks comfortable with ball in hand. Arthur Ellis once again made a positive contribution and was a great asset to the Chinnor cause. Alex Wallace was assured under the high ball which was not easy in the conditions. A mention also for young Joe Robinson who, whilst only on at sub for a short period with Ben Hewitt in the blood bin, acquitted himself well.

Chinnor, who were massively disappointed in not getting the result they undoubtedly deserved, can take heart from this performance. They once again illustrated that they can compete at this level.

MATCH REPORT: League game – 25/10/08 -Thame United 2, Holyport 5.
This was Thame’s heaviest defeat this season. Yet, with 20 minutes of normal time remaining, they were leading with fives minutes to play, the scores were even. On the balance of 85 minutes play, a draw would
have been a fair result.

The first half was goalless. The best chance of the half was a superb glancing header by Thame’s Matt Miller, which forced a brilliant save from the visiting goalkeeper. Apart from that one moment of quality, the half was fairly flat, with Thame just edging it.

Holyport went ahead ten minutes into the second half when visiting captain, Chris Woods, hit a strong 15-yard shot that took a deflection to beat Paul Searl. Thame were on level terms two minutes later when Ben
Connelly hit a cross from the right, which the visiting keeper misjudged and deflected into his own net.

The home side took the lead on 58 minutes when the ball was played to Miller who beat the advancing keeper and hit an acute shot which was about to cross the line, when Adam Rhodes and a defender both went for the ball and helped it over. The goal was awarded to Miller.

The visitors fought back and Woods struck again on 74 minutes with a well-placed 20-yard shotgiving Searl no chance.

Then disaster struck! Central defender Matt Graves, who had played a key role in Thame’s defence, and was my man if the match, was substituted with a groin strain. Without his leadership ‘at the back’ the final 10 minutes turned into a rout.

On 86 minutes, Aaron Yennon met a corner with a glancing near post header to put the visitors in
front. Two minutes later Jake Brooks headed another corner in at the far post. Thame’s defensive problems then got worse when right back, Lee Thompson, went off injured. Holyport’s final goal came in injury time
when unmarked striker, Lee Jerrum, picked up a long ball from his left and ran 30 yards before rounding Searl and finishing well.

Thame United: Searl, Thompson (Williams), Newell, N Rhodes, Graves (Stocker), Cowan, Connelly, El-Kassir (Hoskins), Miller, A Rhodes, Wallace.

Thame entertain Newbury next Saturday, November 1.

CHINNOR 2XV resumed their league duties against Hertford 2XV at Kingsey Road last Saturday, October 25. With the first 1XV playing Rosslyn Park at home, the 2XV were to display their skills away from pitch one, for the first time this season. What a display it turned out to be.
Hertford went ahead via a penalty, when Chinnor were judged to be holding on to the ball in the loose. However, straight from the restart, great pressure from the Chinnor pack resulted in Matt Webster breaking clear to draw the remaining Hertford defenders and pass to supporting scrum half, Tommy Jarvis, to score the first of Chinnor?s tries.

Chinnor forwards were putting on a great display of power play in the loose, led by Ed Rixon and Andy Milburn. Again, hooker Matt Webster took the drive forward to score the first of his three tries in the first half. Thad Cooper back from university this week, converted two of the tries and slotted a penalty to take the score at the break to 27-3.

The first half continued much as the first with Thad Cooper kicking a further penalty as Hertford tried in vain to bring an illegal physicality to the game. Two power plays from debutant lock Duncan Williams saw him go over for two tries, one resulting from an impressive line out play. Another Cooper conversion moved the score to 42 -3.

Hertford took advantage of a Chinnor error on 60 minutes for a converted try. This hard, physical game took its toll on the players and Chinnor had used all their replacements when Andy Milburn had to seek attention to a cut cheek, joining skipper Rob Fenwick (broken nose) in the medical room. The changes saw Chinnor still out-perform Hertford in the set pieces and were far stronger in open play with forwards and backs combining exquisitely for man of the match Matt Webster go over for his fourth try.

With the score at 47-10, Hertford pounced on a rare error in Chinnor?s 22 to take the final score to 47 ? 15.

Next Saturday the 2XV have a top-of-the-table clash home game against Cambridge 2XV. Taking this performance forward, a great game of rugby will be on offer to our growing band of home supporters.
Kick Off 2.30pm.

MATCH REPORT – HPL Hellenic League Floodlit – Cup game, 22/10/08 – Ardley United 2, Thame United 1

The last time Thame visited Hellenic premier outfit Ardley United they conceded six goals. That season Thame were relegated, but although Thame now play in a lower league, there was little to choose between the two teams on during Wednesday evening?s Floodlit Cup match.

The game started evenly with both teams creating good scoring chances. As the half progressed, however Ardley gained the upper hand and Thame?s goalkeeper Paul Searl was forced into action. Fortunately for Thame, he was in good form and the first half ended goalless, but with the home side slightly ?ahead on points?.

Thame came back strongly in the second half and deservedly went ahead 15 minutes after the restart. Winger, Ben Connelly played a quality ?defence splitting? ball from just inside the Ardley half into the path of recently brought on substitute, Tom Hoskins. The speedy Hoskins calmly beat the advancing goalkeeper and knocked the ball into the empty net with his first touch of the match. Thame continued to press and there was some entertaining end-to-end football, with Searl making some excellent saves before in the 77th minute, the home side equalised. Sammy Ibrahim found himself in space and hit a strong, well-placed 20-yard shot that gave the Thame keeper no chance. With 2 minutes to play, just when it looked like extra time, Ardley were awarded a free kick on the right, about 30 yards from goal. It was well taken and beat the Thame defence before midfielder Danny Mason headed in at the far post. In the final minutes, Thame laid siege to the home goal but it is Ardley who will progress to the next round.

Thame United: Searl, Thompson, El-Kassir (Smail), N Rhodes, Graves, Cowan, Connelly, a. Rhodes, Williams (Hoskins), Barr, Wallace.

Thame are at home (Wallingford) for the next three Saturdays. They face Holyport on 25th October, Newbury on 1st November, and South Kilburn on November 8th.

Binfield 3, Thame United 0 – MATCH REPORT
Whilst a Binfield victory was probably a fair reflection of the play across 90 minutes, the 3-0 scoreline was harsh on Thame and was as much a reflection of the physical tactics of the opposition and the inability of the officials to stamp down on the activity early in the game, as it was Thame?s inability to make the most of their chances.

Binfield went in to the game unbeaten in the league, but it was Thame who started the stronger with Ben Connelly continuing his fine form from the previous week. Midfielder Sam Cowan was off-target after 10 minutes and five minutes later Will Wallace had a clear run on goal only to see his effort well saved by the home keeper. Binfield opened the scoring two minutes later as they broke from a Thame corner with a ball over the top that caused confusion between Steve Newell, Matt Graves and Ryan Bell, leaving Gary Sargent to tap the ball in to the unguarded net.

With Connelly clearly posing a threat down the right, Binfield employed physical tactics to bring an end to his jinking runs and it was only after several fouls that the Binfield left back was cautioned for his conduct. Nevertheless, with Thame only one down they remained in the game and Matt Miller saw his effort well saved by the home keeper 10 minutes before the break. Just as it looked as though Thame would go in to the break only a goal down, Binfield extended their lead when Scott Williams turned well on the edge of the box and drilled the ball in to the bottom left hand corner.

For all their endeavour in the second half Thame were unable to generate any clear cut chances, whilst Binfield were happy to soak up the pressure and hit Thame on the break. This was effective when, after 81 minutes, a cross from the left was met by the head of Callum Whitty who beat Ryan Bell in the Thame goal from six yards. Although this marked the end of the goal action there was still time for Sam Cowan to be sent off for retaliation with yet more fouls from Binfield going unpunished.

Thame will have learnt a lot from this defeat, not least how to stick to their footballing principles when they next come up against a side intent on using ?bullying? tactics rather than football to win a game.

Thame travel to Premier Division Ardley United on Wednesday evening for a League Cup tie, before returning to league action on Saturday (25th October) with a home game (AFC Wallingford) against Holyport, 3:00pm kick off.

Thame United: Bell, Newell, Thompson, Graves, N.Rhodes, Cowan, A.Rhodes, Connelly, El-Kassir (Hoskin), Miller (Smail), Wallace (Green)

Thame United Man of the Match: Adam Rhodes

EDF Energy National Trophy – Match report – Saturday, October 18. (Contributed)
IN a hard fought cup match, Chinnor eventually came out winners by 19 points to 17.

In glorious late summer sun, Chinnor started powerfully, keeping all the play in Lydney?s 22. On 10 minutes, Cathcart opened the scoring for Chinnor with a penalty goal. A few minutes later, a serious injury to the Lydney scrum half, Jimmy Williams, led to a 25 minute delay whilst paramedics treated the unfortunate no 9 on the pitch and then transported him to hospital . Five minutes after the restart, Cathcart nudged Chinnor further ahead with another penalty goal. Lydney scored a try a few minutes later when speedy winger Chris Holder intercepted an extravagant Chinnor pass. Lydney fly half Mark Davies added the conversion to put Lydney 7-6 ahead.

Chinnor continued to dominate territory when Ben Hewitt played a leading role in Chinnor?s next score. Taking the ball deep and at pace, he glided past defender after defender. He neatly wrong footed the last Lydney defender, flanker Dean Jenkins, whose foot caught Hewitt. Deeming it foul play in the act of scoring, referee Ross Campbell awarded a penalty try. Jenkins was yellow carded. Cathcart added the conversion to give Chinnor a half time lead of 16-7.

Lydney started the second half with gusto and a penalty goal by Davies closed the gap to 16-10. Lydney went ahead in the match with their second interception try. Punting the ball long, Lydney chased their kick. Fielding the ball, Chinnor?s Powell, with perhaps too much time, elected to throw a long pass to no-one in particular in midfield. Lydney?s Craig Jones could no believe his luck as the ball bounced into his hands. Four strides later he was touching down between the posts. Davies converted to give Lydney a 17-16 lead. A dismayed Chinnor then embarked on a series of pick and drives. On 65 minutes, after a Lydney offence at a ruck, Cathcart put the penalty kick over for the last score of the match to give Chinnor a 19-17 win.

This was a good competitive match which featured many of Chinnor?s second XV, who all gave a good account of themselves. The Chinnor man of the match was Ed Rixon whose strength and ball retention skills contributed much to the Chinnor win.

Later news revealed that the injured Lydney player, Jimmy Williams, after a brain scan had been discharged home, battered and bruised but otherwise well, for which we are all grateful.

Photo: Ben Hewitt

TEAMS from Thame Tennis Club have started their winter league fixtures. In the Aylesbury & District League, The Ladies 2 team in Division 5 had an ideal start to their season with a 7 sets to 1 win at home against Aylesbury 3. The team of Rosie Knight (c), Lorna See and Pip Barfield were joined by new member Ally Morgan. The Ladies 3 team, captained by Wendy McGregor, playing in their first winter league were also at home to Cuddington 2. The team of Fiona Hawken, Lucy Workman and mother and daughter pair Jane and Florence Cahill went down to the visitors by 2 sets to 6.

The Mixed Doubles team have played 2 matches so far this season. Their first match was a good 5 sets to 3 victory at home against Aston Park, a team they had failed to beat in their four previous encounters. First pair John Patrick and Ann Green halved both their matches, with two 6-6 sets against Aston Park?s first pair and a 2-6, 6-2 score against the second pair. Thame second pair Terry Merry and John Ansell (c), also halved their first match 4-6, 6-3, but then went on to defeat the visitors first pair 6-1, 6-2. Fortunes were reversed in the mixed team?s second match though, with a 3 sets to 5 defeat in the away fixture at Cheddington C. Team: T Merry, J Ansell (c), S Marsh, and T Knightly.

Meanwhile, in spite of the windy conditions, Thame Ladies ?A? team made a good start in their first match of the Thames Valley League winter season with a 6 sets to 2 victory at home against Esporta ?A?. Both matches in the first round were halved, but Thame went on to win both of the second round matches. First pair Mandy Howkins and Ann Gornall (c) won 6-3, 6-1 and second pair Jenny Mcleod and Stella Marsh
.won 6-4, 6-1.

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

CHINNOR Seconds played a friendly against a RAF combined services under 23, academy team, on Saturday, and won decisively.
The game was played by a very changed second team, 11 of the normal side played in the EDF cup game against Lydney, allowing some first team players a well-earned rest. The boys rose to the challenge and were good enough to beat Lydney, also a national 3 team, by 19 points to 17.

Chinnor 2nds went ahead after only 3 minutes with a good try by Adam Seymour converted by Tim Sutton. With so many changes, the boys played very well with good understanding between forwards and backs. They were able to keep RAF team under pressure and were rewarded when Aaron Russell broke the line and scored. That was followed with a penalty by Tim Sutton and Chinnor lead by 15 points to 0 after 20 minutes.

Although RAF played well, they lacked the penetration and cohesiveness that they will get, the more they play together as a team, but were very good in defence and prevented Chinnor from scoring on several occasions.

Tim Sutton scored a try, followed five minutes later with a Simon Matthews try, and the first half finished with Chinnor leading by 25 points to 0.

The second half started with a lot of changes to the RAF team and it became a more even game despite RAF still experiencing problems gelling together, which will only come with practice and playing together.
Sadly tragedy struck when one of the RAF props went down when the scrum collapsed and suffered a neck injury and had to be transported to hospital by ambulance.

The emergency services were quick to respond, with first the Fire Service paramedics, the ambulance followed and then the air ambulance, which was thankfully not required.
In the mean time the game changed to another pitch and unfortunately another RAF player went down with a very bad knee injury, this was then followed by an arm injury as well.

By this stage the spirit was lost and the game was played out for the sake of getting it over and done with.
The game ended – Chinnor Seconds won by 25 points to 5