Category: Sports News

CHINNOR RFC failed to beat Oxford Harlequins 1st XV in the final of the Oxfordshire Cup on Saturday.
The score was Oxford Harlequins 1st XV, 31 vs. Chinnor 1st XV 20.
Match report to follow.

SOME of Thame Tennis Club’s most advanced players are participating once again in the challenging, National Club League.
In the first Ladies NCL match of the season, Maria Lawton beat Nicky Bracewell, with the final set going to a tie-break. Meanwhile, Jenny Corfield took a 6-4, 6-4 win over Fiona Pidgeon. Jenny and Fiona then joined forces to win a very tight doubles match 6-4, 7-5 in a great match with some impressive tennis played by both sides.

The Oxfordshire League summer matches are also getting underway. The Ladies 3 pair, captained by Jenny McLeod, had a great start to their season with a 9 sets to 0 win against Banbury B. Team: M Lawton, T Murray, D Munro, T Merry, L See, and J McLeod.

For more information about Thame Tennis Club go to their website at LINK

AN experienced Thame cyclist is training Britain’s top woman cycling road racer – all from the comfort of his own home.
Sixty seven year-old Gordon Wright is materminding cycling star, Nicole Cooke’s bid for Olympic glory from his own home, even though she lives in Switzerland and the two will rarely meet face-to-face.

Read full story from the Bucks Free Press

Chinnor v Weston Super Mare – March 29 – MATCH REPORT
Chinnor 39 pts, Weston – Super – Mare 0 pts
THE conditions were most certainly not suited for an expansive game. In scoring seven tries Chinnor made light of the elements. They still managed to exploit the speed of their backs, particularly in the first half, where they played into the driving wind and rain. In Phil Huxford, Pip Seymour and Martyn O’Mahoney, Chinnor possess an exceptionally pacey back three. With a sound half-back pairing and a solid pair of centres, Chinnor are now able to cause problems to most of their opponents.This was so on Saturday against Weston Super Mare.
Chinnor elected to play into the wind at Kingsey Road on Saturday.
The early skirmishes were evenly balanced, with Chinnor endeavouring to keep the ball in hand opting for route one via their forwards. A break out by Chinnor from inside their 22 metre line saw then spread the ball wide giving Pip Seymour the opportunity to outstrip the covering defence and score at the corner flag. Into the driving wind the attempted conversion was a non starter even by James Cathcart’s standards. This try in the 12th minute was followed by another some 14 minutes later when Darren Oxley joined a forward drive to score near the posts. Cathcart converted this one, although after the ball went through the posts, the wind drove it back from whence it came.Owen Gustafson was next on the score sheet after supporting a move which once again started well inside Chinnor territory. With Phil Huxford showing an exceptional change of pace to deceive the cover defence, Chinnor had scored 4 tries into the wind at the interval.
For the first quarter of the second half, Weston were a different team. With their forwards taking the game to the home side, they battered the Chinnor line with a last ditch defence just keeping them at bay, and when the ball was turned over, the relieving kick went many a mile. However they still came back at Chinnor before a break out saw Darren Oxley shrug off a couple of tacklers to offload to the supporting Grizz McQuire to go over under the posts, allowing Cathcart an easy conversion. Further tries from James Cathcart after prolonged pressure allowed him to go over, with no one at home, and finally following a delicate chip from Trevor Powell,Richard Williams won the chase to the touch down.
This was a sensible performance from a Chinnor side who recognise that this was just one performance out of the four required to scale the dizzy heights.

Chinnor 1st team play Oxford Harlequins in the Oxfordshire Cup Final at Iffley Road, Oxford kick off 3 30pm this Saturday 5th April.

THAME’S award winning Tennis Club is holding an Open Day at it?s Queens Road courts on Sunday 30th March between 11.00am ? 4.00pm.
Non-members and players of all ages and abilities are very welcome to visit and to play.

There will be a ball machine, along with tennis clothing and equipment for sale and light refreshments will be available.

The Club?s Head Coach, Simon Langley will also be available for discussions and advice. For more details, please ring Aidan Coles on 01844 238900 or visit the Club?s website at www.thametennisclub.org.uk.

For those unable to attend on the day, the Club is also holding an Open Evening on the following Tuesday 1st April and again, non-members will be very welcome.

March 22 – WANTAGE TOWN: 4, THAME UNITED 1 – MATCH REPORT.
The last chance of silverware this season for Thame United disappeared on Saturday with a disappointing defeat to Premier Division Wantage Town in the Supplementary Cup. In freezing conditions played in a gale force wind with regular snow showers, Thame were unable to find any rhythm and, in the end, were well beaten by a solid Wantage Town.

However, the result could have been very different had Nathan Jack done better in the 9th minute when his quick turn was followed by a drive from 18 yards that shaved the right hand post. Five minutes later and it was Wantage who broke the deadlock when a move down the Thame right resulted in a low cross that the on-rushing forward Paul Day slid home from 6 yards. Thame then pressed for an equaliser and the best chance fell to striker Paul Searl in the 25th minute whose shot on the turn from 8 yards sailed narrowly over the bar.

With a 1-0 scoreline at half time and the wind behind them in the second half, Thame looked set to place the home defence under pressure. However, Wantage extended the lead within 5 minutes of the re-start when the ball fell kindly to former Thame striker, Danny Keen, who placed the ball beyond keeper Mike Higgs. Keen scored his second and the third for Wantage 15 minutes later, forcing the ball home after Higgs had done well to save a fierce free kick from 25 yards. 20 minutes later and it was 4-0 as Nathan Hall stroked the ball home from wide right.

To their credit Thame continued to press forward and scored a consolation goal in the 87th minute when a through ball from Adam Rhodes was met by player manager Mark West, who squared the ball for skipper Dave Hocking to drive in to an empty net from 6 yards. In the end though it was too little too late, leaving Thame to wait until next season for potential cup success.

Thame United: Higgs, N.Rhodes, Graves, Hocking, Watkins, Cowan, Thompson (Hoskin), A.Rhodes, Searl (Leach), Jack (West), Ricketts

MONDAY, MARCH 24: Chinnor 1, Thame United 3 – League game – MATCH REPORT:
Thame United just did just enough on a bitterly cold Easter Monday afternoon to collect the points at Chinnor.
The opening exchanges were fairly even with few chances, but then Chinnor started to get the upper hand. The home side went ahead after 15 minutes when midfielder Adam Stallwood met a cross from the right with a well-placed volley from the edge of the penalty area, which gave Thame keeper Mike Higgs no chance. Encouraged by this goal Chinnor pressurised the Thame goal and had some good chances to increase their lead, but the visitors defended well with at least two goal-bound efforts deflected and Ben Connelly blocking a shot on the goal line. Towards the break, Thame came back and created some chances of their own, but the teams went in for half time with Chinnor deservedly in the lead.

The second half was very different. It started fairly even but 10 minutes in manager Mark West brought himself on and played up front. With his first touch, West created a good chance for Adam Rhodes who was so surprised to find himself in space, 8 yards from goal, that he shot wide. Thame equalised a few minutes later when Connelly hit a low ball across the goalmouth and this time Rhodes fired home from close range. Fifteen minutes later West, who had been encouraging his team vocally, scored Thame?s second goal. Once again the provider was Connelly who hit a cross from the right, which was collected by Stuart Barr and despite some nifty footwork, Barr; finding himself marked by three defenders slid the ball to West who hit a first time, 15-yard, shot which finished in the back of the Chinnor goal. The home side fought back, but it was ?game over? with 4 minutes to play, when Barr struck a well-placed 25-yard shot into bottom right hand corner of the home net.

Thame United: Higgs, Hocking (Capt), Watkins, N. Rhodes, Jewell, Cowan, Connelly (Searle), A Rhodes, Leach (West), Barr, Ricketts.

LEAGUE GAME; March 18, Henley Town 2,Thame United 1 – MATCH REPORT

THAME United really should not have lost Tuesday evening?s game at Henley. They outplayed the home side for much of the game, and created more chances. Thame hit the Henley crossbar on four separate occasions and, had these efforts been a few inches lower, Thame would have won comfortably. It was however Henley who took the points and, as a result they now move into 9th league position, whilst Thame drop to 10th.

This fast and entertaining game was marred by an injury to Henley winger George Brewer 14 minutes into the second half. After jumping to head the ball, near the half way line, Brower fell awkwardly and sunk to the grass in agony. The game was stopped for almost half an hour whilst an ambulance arrived, and he was taken to hospital with a suspected fracture ankle.

The home side took the lead in the 2nd minute when, following a corner, the ball fell to midfielder Graham Toomey whose 8 yard shot found the back of the Thame net. Thame countered and after 10 minutes, Lee Thompson hit the crossbar from about 10 yards. After about 25 minutes play, Thame started to gain the upper hand and created some good chances. With about 10 minutes of the first half, remaining Nathan Jack was fouled in the area but the unsighted referee waved play on. Thame?s best chance was just before half time when Jack pounced of a pass from Adam Rhodes and hit a powerful shot from 8 yards which the home keeper did well to save.

Thame dominated the first part of the second half and drew level in the 50th minute when defender Chris Watkins took a throw in and found Jack near the left by-line. Jack turned quickly and hit a low ball across the goalmouth, which Richard Jewell met, at the far post, to confidently tap in. After the stoppage It took both sides a few minutes to settle down but Thame looked the more likely to score.

Matt Graves was unlucky when on 65 minutes he met a corner with a near post header, which hit the bar. Mike Higgs, in the Thame goal, made a good save a few minutes later to maintain parity. With about 15 minutes to play Jack played a superb ball from the half way line, to Luke Ricketts in space, but his 20-yard lob hit the crossbar. Shortly after, Paul Searle who still has an injured finger and had come on as a sub, hit a good cross from the right to Jack, whose strong shot was blocked by the Henley keeper and the ball fell to Adam Rhodes, but his shot was high. With about 5 minutes to play Jack hit a 30 yard blast which, (guess what) hit the crossbar.

The Henley winner came in the 87th minute when a ball from the right beat the Thame defence and winger Mills finished from a near impossible angle.

Thame United: Michael Higgs, Thompson, Watkins, Graves, Hocking, Cowan, Jewell (Hoskins), Rhodes, Leach (Searle), Jack, Ricketts,

Thame play at Wantage on Easter Saturday followed by a league game at nearby Chinnor on Easter Monday

SOUTH West Division 1 – 8th March 2008 – Chinnor 38, Bournemouth 19 – MATCH REPORT
With league rivals Bracknell going down at Cleve, Chinnor became league leaders with a 38-19 victory over Bournemouth. With only three matches to go, they now have a realistic chance of promotion to the National leagues where they are likely to be playing league rugby against Henley Hawks.

Bournemouth were a much improved team from the last meeting of the two teams in early September. Chinnor opened the scoring after 4 minutes with skipper Hutchings touching down after a lineout catch and drive. Bournemouth then put up some stout
resistance which prevented Chinnor scoring again until the 26th minute when Seymour tore away to set up Huxford to score under the posts, converted by Cathcart. Chinnor looked to be well in control until the two minutes before half time. In a crazy two minutes, they conceded two tries. Centre Payne went over first for a try converted by Flynn. On the stroke of half time, prop Joe Burns repeated the dose ? this time unconverted ? to level the scores at 12-12.

Shocked by Bournemouth?s comeback, Chinnor came out for the second half in determined fashion. After just two minutes, Powell touched down wide out. Five minutes later, Huxford scored his second try which was converted by Cathcart to give Chinnor a 24-12 lead. With 20 minutes to go Chinnor scrum half Gustafson scored for Cathcart to convert. Chinnor?s next score came from their dominant scrum who shoved the Bournemouth pack off the ball. Open side Winslade pounced on the loose ball and dispatched it along the line for Huxford to complete his hat trick ? his third in successive matches.

Bournemouth completed the scoring when live wire scrum half Hardcastle took a quick tap penalty 5 metres out and, bumping off the ref, managed to touchdown. The try was converted by Flynn to give a final score of 38-19.

Bournemouth proved worthy opponents but were out scrummaged by a superior pack. As always Chinnor defended well (apart from a crazy two minutes) and played with more adventure than of late. Moving the ball to the pacey Chinnor wingers brought rich reward. Gustafson had a fine match and the Chinnor front row must have enjoyed their all round contribution to the victory.

Chinnor team: Hewitt, Huxford, Powell (Williams 69), Oxley, Seymour, Cathcart, Gustafson, Winpenny, Cawston, Whelan (Baker 51), Hutchings (c), Black, McGuire, Winslade, Rixon (Hastings 67)
Replacements: Baker, Hastings, Williams

TEAMS from Thame Tennis Club are currently completing their winter fixtures and in the Thames Valley League, the Men?s ?A? team, captained by Lee Wright, is poised for promotion from Division One to the Premier Division.
They need to win five sets in their next match to top the table. Meanwhile, despite recent losses to North Oxford D and Esporta B, the Men?s ?B? team (captain, Tony Morris), is confident of retaining a place in Division Wwo next season.
With one match remaining, the ladies’ team continued its undefeated run with an 8-0 whitewash of North Oxford IV.
Team: F Pidgeon, T Murray, A Gornall (c), J McLeod.

Meanwhile, in the Aylesbury League, the Ladies second team in Division Four suffered a 1 set to 5 defeat at home to Marsh Gibbon, with injury eventually forcing the Thame team to retire. However, the following weekend the same team of Pip Barfield, Lyn Broadway, Ann Green and Rosie Knight (c), produced a winning performance against Haddenham, taking the rearranged match by 6.5 sets to 1.5 sets.
The end of February saw the team hosting Cheddington to whom they?d lost 0-8 before Christmas. This time the team procured a respectable 2.5 sets, with newcomers to the team, Helena Richards and Ann Terry joining Lorna See and Rosie.
Haddenham were again the opponents in the team?s penultimate match of the season, with Thame coming back from 1-3 down at the halfway stage to secure a 4 sets all draw.

Finally, the mixed team in Division Four enjoyed a good win of 5.5 ? 2.5 sets at home over Cheddington. Team: T Merry, J Patrick (c), S Marsh, K Bowers. Their next match however, saw their fortunes reversed with a 1.5 ? 6 sets defeat to Chesham 1879. Team: J Patrick, A Green, J Ansell (c), T Murray.

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