Category: Sports News

MATCH: Sunday, September 6 – HIGHWORTH TOWN 3, versus THAME UNITED, 0.
Thame faced higher league opposition in the form of Hellenic Premier Division Highworth Town in the Preliminary Round of the FA Vase last Saturday and, despite the scoreline, were unlucky to be on the receiving end of a 3-0 scoreline.

Played on a heavy pitch and with Thame forced to play a re-shuffled back four due to the absence through injury of centre backs Matt Graves and Dave Hocking, United started well forcing their opponents on to the back foot. Despite the pressure, United were unable to create any significant attempts on the Highworth goal and it was against the run of play that the hosts opened the scoring in the 10th minute. A ball from the wide left was met at the far post by Phil Corcoran who slid in and placed the ball between the legs of Searl in the Thame goal.

Despite the disappointment, Thame dug in and for the remainder of the half had the upper hand, with the central midfield pairing of Adam Rhodes and Laurence El-Kassir winning the battle with their counterparts, and Sam Cowan and Lee Thompson controlling the back four. The best effort for Thame came 10 minutes before the break, when an Adam Rhodes free kick from 25 yards narrowly missed the target. However, just as it looked as though Thame would go in to the break a goal down, Highworth doubled their advantage when a through ball somehow evaded the Thame defence and Gary Hill had time to place the ball beyond Searl.

The opening exchanges in the second half were evenly contested, but it was Highworth who had the chance to extend their lead in the 61st minute when Thame right back Greg Stocker was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. For the second time in succession, however, Searl got down to his right to easily save the spot kick. Thame then made a number of substitutions in an attempt to get back in to the game and this time it was a free kick from Nik Rhodes that was as close as Thame got to pulling a goal back. In the final minute Highworth sealed the victory when a shot from Phil Corcoran, which was heading wide of the Thame goal, ricocheted off Nik Rhodes and beyond the hapless Searl.

Thame United have only their second home league game this Saturday (13th September ? 3:00pm kick off at AFC Wallingford) against Rayners Lane.

Thame United: Searl, Newell (West), Stocker (N.Rhodes), Thompson, Cowan, El-Kassir, A.Rhodes, Connelly, Miller, Hoskin (Green), Ricketts.

Photo: Thame Man of the Match: Sam Cowan

A Thame man who helped train British cyclist, Nicole Cooke to a Gold medal in Beijing, has received a very special ‘thank you.’
Gordon Wright and his wife Margaret were invited to the Welsh Assembly last week, and afterwards at the Celtic Manor Hotel, to Celebrate Nicole’s Gold Medal winning performance.

Gordon told ThameNews.Net: “We got to talk to some of the guys from the Men Aloud choir who won BBC TV’s Last Choir Standing Competition last Saturday night. They were singing at the Assembly and they also sang the Welsh Anthem which was rather moving, with several thousand people gathered outside the Assembly.

“On Saturday we went down to Wick, Nicole’s home village in South Wales, where they put on a Village reception for her. Wick is no bigger that Longwick, near Thame, but I bet there were a thousand people there with some notables, amongst them Barbara Hutt, Ministry for Youth and Education at the Welsh Assembly.

“I also received a letter from the House of Commons, from Thame’s MP, John Howell, congratulating me on my part in Nicole’s success which was rather nice.”

Photo: Gordon Wright with Gold medal cyclist, Nichole Cooke in Wales last week.

SATURDAY, August 30 – RESULT: Eton Wick 2, Thame United 2.
Thame will view this as two points lost rather than a point gained as they let a two-goal lead slip away in the last 30 minutes at Eton Wick.
From the start Thame were in control of the game and in the 14th minute, Ben Connelly played an inch perfect ball to Luke Ricketts, who ran from the half way line before unleashing an unstoppable shot from the edge of the 18 yard area leaving the Eton Wick keeper Mark Appleby stranded.

Thame could have increased their lead just before half-time when, following another fine ball from the right by Ben Connelly, Adam Rhodes shot just over the bar. Just the other side of the break Matt Miller shot strongly from 25yards, with Appleby doing well to get a hand to the shot, tipping it over the bar, although the referee James Bird inexplicably awarded a goal-kick to Eton Wick.

Tommy Hoskin replaced Jack Green for Thame, and played a full part in the second Thame goal shortly afterwards. Another fine cross from Ben Connelly reached Hoskin, whose header crashed against the crossbar, before Matt Miller hit the rebound from around two yards. 2-0 Thame and the game appeared won.

Within two minutes, however, Eton Wick substitute, Ryan Coupland somehow made it 2-1 in a packed penalty area. On 70 minutes Eton Wick equalised from a corner on the right as Ryan Coupland scored again, heading into the Thame goal.

Thame appeared nervous for the remainder of the game but could still have gained all three points when in the 85th minute Matt Miller crossed from the right and Luke Ricketts did well to get a foot to the ball narrowly placing it wide of the post.

Nevertheless, Thame are off the mark and travel to Highworth Town in the FA Vase on Saturday looking to inflict defeat on higher league opponents.

Thame United: Searl, Cowan, Newell, Thompson, Ansell, Jones, Connelly (Roberts), Rhodes,Green (Hoskin), Miller, Ricketts

Thame United Man of the Match: Luke Ricketts

Photo: Luke Ricketts

THAME Tennis Club Men?s B 2 pair team are celebrating their success in Division six of the Oxfordshire League having remained unbeaten this season.
Following a 3.5 ? 0.5 sets win away at promotion rivals Bicester in the final match of the season, the team, captained by Mark Horrocks were confirmed as Division champions.
Of the seven matches played, six were outright wins with one draw against runners up Wantage C. Team: D Holmes, A Reed, S Nannery, T Morris, D Morris, M Horrocks, J Morris, C Macgregor.

Other Thame teams are also completing their summer league fixtures. The Ladies 3 pair in Division 2 was at home to Witney for their final match of the season. In an enjoyable and close match Thame won by 5.5 sets to 3.5 sets Team: M Lawton, J McLeod (c), R Knight, T Merry, R Tupper, M Howkins. The Ladies B 2 pair team also ended their season with another win, this time at home to Oxford Sports B. The team of Jane Cahill (c), Fiona Weiss, Fiona Hawken and Rachel Jeffery took 2.5 sets to the visitors 1.5 sets, completing a successful first season for the team managed by Wendy Macgregor.

Finally, The Men?s C 2 pair team in Division 8 faced 2 tough matches to end their season. They managed a creditable draw away to top of the table Bicester D with first pair John Patrick and John Baldwin winning both their matches (second pair John Ansell (c), Mark Ansell). The team?s final match was at home against promotion contenders Wantage D. Although all square at the halfway point, they were unable to make any further impression and were finally beaten by 6 sets to 2. Team: T Knightley, N Belcher, J Ansell (c), K Bowers.

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

Photo: Members of Thame Tennis Club’s men’s team practice at the club in Queens Road, Thame.

THAME United came away from Bristol with their FA Cup hopes dashed for another season after a combination of bad luck and poor officiating saw Bitton win this replay to progress to the next round.
In damp conditions that worsened throughout the game, United continued where they left off in the first game, defending resolutely and looking dangerous on the break. Whilst Bitton had the majority of possession in the first half, Searl was rarely threatened in the Thame goal and, when he was, he was equal to the task. Indeed, it was Thame who had the best chances in the opening period with captain Dave Hocking seeing an effort drop on to the roof of the net, whilst ten minutes before the break an incisive run from winger, Ben Connelly, resulted in a near post cross that striker Matt Miller turned on to the base of the post.

With Thame benefiting from the slope in the second half, they pushed forward and on 55 minutes Luke Ricketts forced the home keeper in to a good save with a 20 yard drive from wide right. Five minutes later and the woodwork came to the rescue of Bitton for a second time, when Rhodes skillfully lobbed the keeper from 20 yards only to see his effort come back off the crossbar.

The turning point of the game came on 70 minutes when, after a series of poor but largely inconsequential refereeing decisions throughout the game, the referee pointed to the spot where left back, Steve Newell, was adjudged to have fouled the Bitton right winger. Whilst that may have been the case, the offence took place outside the penalty area and the Thame players looked on in astonishment to see a penalty awarded. Searl was sent the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.

Bitton extended their lead five minutes later, but only after the assistant referee missed a clear off-side (much to the amusement of the home crowd) and Searl was given no chance from eight yards. Finally, as Thame pushed forward looking to get back in to the game, Bitton scored a third when the unlucky Hocking could only help the ball in to the back of his own net.

Thame United: Searl, Thompson, Newell, Graves, Hocking, Rhodes, Stocker (Bell) Connelly, Miller (Brougham), Ansell (Roberts), Ricketts.

SCORE: Thame United 0, Bitton AFC 0
United secured a hard-earned but well-deserved draw against higher league opponents in the form of Bitton AFC from Bristol to maintain their interest in the FA Cup. With the defence superbly marshalled throughout the game by the centre-back pairing of captain David Hocking and Man of the Match, Matt Graves, the Bitton forward line, which included former QPR striker Michael Meaker, rarely threatened Searl in the Thame goal for the whole 90 minutes.

Thame opened brightly, pinning their opponents in their own half for much of the first 10 minutes. However, with the exception of a dangerous corner from Luke Ricketts, Thame were unable to trouble the Bitton keeper. After the opening period, Bitton came more in to the game and on 15 minutes Hocking was forced to clear the ball off the line following a goalmouth scramble. Two minutes later and United nearly opened the scoring when the ball fell invitingly for Mark Jones on the edge of the box, his volleyed effort falling the wrong side of the right hand post. By now there were chances at both ends, the best opportunity falling to the Bitton winger, Leon Maloney, whose effort from 12 yards on 35 minutes forced Searl to make a good save low to his right.

With the game goalless at half time, both sides came out after the interval looking to break the deadlock. However, both defences remained on top and neither side had many scoring opportunities. The best opportunity for Bitton came on 65 minutes when Meaker, having worked his way to the by-line, cut back inside and looked set to shoot, only for his striking partner Mark Reynolds to take the ball off him and skew his effort wide. Thame were not without their chances and following a foul on substitute Chris Brougham, Luke Ricketts saw his free kick from 25 yards sail just over the bar whilst, in injury time, fellow substitute James Bloomfield was unlucky to see his shot blocked by the keepers legs.

United travel to Bitton for the replay this coming Wednesday (20th August), 7:30pm kick off.

Thame United: Searl, Thompson, Newell, Graves, Hocking, Cowan, Connelly, Jones, Ansell (Brougham), Miller (Bloomfield), Ricketts.

Photo: Luke Ricketts

THAME United were defeated 0-2 at Wallingford last night, (13/08) in the opening game of the season. Their opponents, the impressive Kintbury Rangers from Berkshire, narrowly missed promotion last season. With new management and an influx of experienced players to strengthen the squad, many regard them as favourites to take this season’s title.

The opening exchanges were even with both sides creating chances. Ben Connelly was unlucky when after five minutes play he beat his marker and hit a strong goal bound shot, which hit a defender. The trick Connelly created several good chances from the right but they were not converted. On 20 minutes, Matt Miller found the back of the visitors net with a well-placed shot but was ruled offside.

The visitors went ahead on 23 minutes from a set piece. A free kick from the left was deflected across the Thame goalmouth and Tristan Dennis, who was lurking at the far post, knocked the ball home from close range. Kintbury’s second came ten minutes later from the penalty spot.

Following a Thame attack a long ball ‘over the top’ of the Thame midfield fell to one of the visitor’s duo of strikers. Thame goalkeeper Paul Searl came out to meet the threat, but the ball was passed leaving him stranded and the goal open. Just before a shot was hit, Lee Thompson came in from the right with a perfectly fair tackle and cleared the danger. To the amazement of both teams and the spectators, referee Spink pointed to the spot. He had apparently seen a handball from Thompson, which had eluded everyone else. Shaun Doyle confidently scored the resultant penalty. The teams went in for half time with Thame Unlucky to be down by two goals.

United came out fired up for the second half and had a good opening spell. After that however, the visitors came back and controlled the rest of the game. Thame changed both personnel and formation but could not overcome the more experienced Kintbury side. Paul Searl, in the Thame goal was outstanding, and it was largely due to him that the visitors did not increase their lead.

So, a disappointing and a fair result over 90 minutes. Thame did not play badly and have the skills to get results against less formidable opposition.

Thame United 0, Kintbury Rangers 2

Thame United: Searl, Gascoyne (Jewell), Graves, Thompson, Hocking, Cowan, Connelly, Jones (Stocker), Ansell (Roberts), Miller, Ricketts.

Photo: Matt Miller whose goal was ruled off-side

A Thame fitness centre has been awarded the
England Squash and Clubmark Gold Award, the top award in the National Club Recognition Scheme.
Racquets Fitness Centre’s Squash co-ordinator and head coach, Sue Downhill, said:”We have always taken pride in offering fun and competitive squash to all ages and all standards and the Clubmark Award
recognises this, along with the welcoming atmosphere and quality of facilities here at Racquets.”

Sue added that a number of people have been instrumental in helping to gain the award and that particular mention must be made of volunteer, Roger Ridler, who has organised squash lessons for classes from all three primary schools in Thame over the past year, which saw over 200 children take part in squash lessons at Racquets through these school links.

“We would like to thank the teachers and parents at Barley Barley Hill, John Hampden and St Josephs for making the effort to bring the children out of the school to the club during class time,” she said.

The Gold Award recognises the achievements of coaches to bring children through to county and national level. Currently Racquets has one Nationally ranked 12 year old (Alex Noakes) and eight Oxfordshire County ranked players.

Ben Hedger won the Oxfordshire County Closed U11s in September 2007, Chris Backhouse was runner-up in the U13s, Kian Guerzoni represents Oxfordshire in the U15s, Will John represents Oxfordshire in the U17s and Josh Rose represents Oxfordshire U19s and is the
reigning U19 champion.

The girls at Racquets are represented strongly at U13 county level with Aisling Guerzoni, Ellie Maitland, Hannah Isherwood and Lucy Potts representing the county.
The centre’s latest initiative is to encourage teenagers to take up the sport and it is working with
Lord William?s Upper school to organise squash leaders awards for the older teenagers and
then in term time squash lessons for the pupils of the Lower and Upper schools.

INCREDIBLE as it may seem, the rugby season is nearly upon us and Chinnor RFC’s 1st team will be playing a pre-season game against Tring next Tuesday evening (19/08).
The game, which will kick off at 7.30pm at Chinnor, will be a good opportunity to see players old and new.

The National division three South matches begin on Saturday, September 6, when Chinnor will play London Scottish away, followed by a home game against Henley on September 13.

AT the Beijing olympics, a former student at Lord Williams’s school in Thame, swam in the British men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team final, during the early hours of this morning.
Simon Burnett from Tetsworth, broke the British record for the 100m freestyle with a time of 3:12.87 secs, but his relay team came in overall in only eighth place in a race won by the Americans.