Category: Sports News

CHINNOR Rugby Club, based in Kingsey Road, Thame, will be hosting the County Championship Shield on May 12.
The match will be Oxfordshire v Cornwall, and kick off will be at 3pm.

THE game against Fairford Town, scheduled for next Monday 23rd, has been moved to Tuesday, April 24. The final game of the season against Slimbridge, originally set for May Bank Holiday Monday, will now be played on Saturday, April 28.
MATCH REPORT – 18/04/07 – League Match
Shortwood United 3, Thame United 2

Thame lost 3-2 on Wednesday evening (18/04) at 9th placed Shortwood United.
The visitors got off to a dreadful start when, after three minutes, the referee awarded Shortwood a penalty after a Thame player was judged to have handled in the box. The spot kick was converted and Thame were 1-0 down. Thame fought back and for a long period it was one way traffic as they pressurised the Shortwood goal. Matt Higgs got the equalizer in the 24th minute when he turned the ball into the net during a goalmouth scramble. Six minutes later Higgs netted again with a well taken header. The teams went in for half time with Thame deservedly leading 1-2

The second half was far more even and Shortwood got the equalizer in the 66th minute. A draw looked certain, but the home side had different ideas and netted with two minutes to play.

Thame United: Michael Higgs, Ansell, Steadman, Matt Higgs, Boult, Hocking, Watkins (Rickets), Graves, Green, Connelly, Smith.

Thame United 0, Hungerford Town 2 – 11/04/07 – League
WHEN these teams met at Hungerford in February, Thame were soundly thrashed 6-1. This encounter was much closer; the main difference between the teams was that whilst Hungerford turned chances into goals, Thame squandered their countless goal scoring opportunities.

Thame was without James Saulsbury who was injured in the pre-match warm up and was replaced by Adam Rhodes, but as a consequence the game started five minutes late. Thame had the better of the first half hour, putting together some good moves but Darren Moore, Dave Hocking and Adam Rhodes all managed to miss the target with only the goalkeeper to beat. Hungerford came back towards the end of the first half, but the game was goalless at half time.

The visitors came out fired up for the second half and went ahead in the 52nd minute when the ball found Graham Endey in space and he hit a well placed shot from 12 yards. Seven minutes later, after a period of Thame pressure, Hungerford broke quickly and, following a move which looked suspiciously off-side, Edney netted his second from 15 yards. The hard working Thame side pressed hard and Nathen Jack was unlucky to see his strong, goal bound shot blocked. With 10 minutes play remaining Manager Mark West brought himself on as a third forward and central defender Matt Higgs went off. Thame pressed, but Hungerford defended well and just about deserved their win.

Thame United: Barisic, Ansell, Steadman, Rhodes, Matt Higgs (West), Graves, Connelly, Hocking, Jack, Moore, Smith (Watkins).

Thame?s next home game is on Monday 23rd April (K.O. 7.45) when Fairford Town are the visitors.

SPORT, exercise and fitness are all things we tend to associate with younger people. This, and other factors, put ordinary people off activity especially if you happen to be more mature. Statistics show that we all take less and less exercise as we get older.
By the time we are over 50, few of us take regular exercise. Whether you’re fit or not – and no matter what your age – you can take exercise and get lots out of it. Have you tried any of these activities?

Wantage Town 2, Thame United 2; 14/04/07 – League
ON a warm Saturday afternoon at the picturesque Alfredian Park, home of Wantage Town, it was in-form Wantage who scored a late equaliser to deny Thame a deserved three points in their battle against relegation.
Thame started brightly with top goal scorer Nathan Jack winning a corner in the first minute that the Wantage keeper, who had a tortuous opening 45 minutes, struggled to deal with. With Thame continuing to press and nullify the short passing game of Wantage it was no surprise when, in the 14th minute, Nathan Jack raced on to a through ball to coolly lob the stranded keeper and give Thame the lead. 10 minutes later and it was 2-0. Jack received a pass from Adrian Smith on the left hand edge of the box and struck a firm shot beyond the diving keeper. Thame were now in control and following further efforts from Jack and Smith, Thame thought they had scored a third goal in the 42nd minute, only for a well-placed header from James Saulsbury to be ruled out for an infringement against the keeper.
The second half opened in the same vein, with Thame pushing for a third goal. In the 46th minute, following a foul on Darren Moore, Adam Rhodes delivered a perfect free kick that was deflected inches wide of the goal. This let off for Wantage proved to be a turning point in the game. With the slope in their favour, they began to push Thame back and, whilst the defence was well marshalled by centre-backs Matt Graves and Matt Higgs, Wantage pulled a goal back in the 65th minute with a well struck volley from Jones beating Thame keeper Milan Barisic. With injuries forcing Jack, Saulsbury and Smith to all leave the field, Wantage continued to press for the equaliser. Just as it looked like Thame would leave with the points, substitute Chris Watkins was harshly judged to have fouled the Wantage left back on the halfway line. The resultant free kick looked to be harmlessly floating in to the box but, with Barisic stranded, Swann nipped in to head the ball over the keeper for the equaliser. It was rough justice for a Thame side who once again displayed the battling qualities that would have seen them safe from relegation had it not been for the demise of Hounslow Borough two weeks ago, with a consequential loss of six points.

Thame United: Barisic, Ansell, Steadman, Saulsbury (Watkins), Graves, Higgs, Rhodes, Hocking, Jack (Da Silva), Moore, Smith (Ricketts).

Thame are without a game this Saturday (21st April), but face Fairford Town at home (Hithercroft Stadium, Wallingford) on Monday 23rd April, 7:45pm kick off.

AFC Wallingford 1, Thame United 0. League Match 09/04/07.
THIS was a scrappy game that Thame could and should have won. They had more possession than Wallingford, hit the crossbar twice, and had a goal disallowed. The result, coupled with Wednesday?s news that Hounslow Borough have resigned from the league and that Thame?s 6 points gained against them have been deducted, now make relegation a real possibility.

Thame started well and created some good chances but their finishing was off target. Nathan Jack, Thame?s normally deadly striker, had an off-target game with most of his shots hitting the conifers behind the goal, rather then the back of the net. There was a moment of drama just before half time when the Wallingford keeper picked up a back pass inside his penalty area and Thame were awarded an indirect free kick. The ball found Jack but his strong shot was cleared off the line. Wallingford created two good chances but luckily for Thame they had the same finishing problem and the game was goalless at half time.

The second half was more entertaining and on 70 minutes after a good move involving manager Mark West, Jack fired home from close range but the ?goal? was disallowed for a fowl on a defender. Two minutes later the tenacious Darren Moore beat his marker on the left and laid on a square pass to Jack but his 10 yard shot hit the crossbar. The only goal came in the 75th minute. Wallingford played a long ball forward which looked to be going out but was pulled back to Andy Styles who hit a fine, acute angled, volley from 8 yards which hit the underside of the Thame crossbar before crossing the line. The visitors pressed for an equalizer and, following a corner, hit the Wallingford crossbar again. The final minutes saw Thame pressurizing the home goal but Wallingford held out to claim the points.

Thame United: Barisic, Ansell, Steadman Hocking, Graves, Matt Higgs, Rhodes, Smith, Jack, West (Green), Moore.

Thame United entertain Hungerford Town at Hithercroft Stadium on Wednesday 11th. They are away to Wantage next Saturday, 14th April.

Thame United Reserves recorded two wins over Easter beating Eton Wick 4-0 on Saturday and winning 0-6 at Kintbury Rangers on Easter Monday.

THAME Tennis Club has a double reason to celebrate after being voted Oxfordshire Club of the Year, and the Head Coach, Simon Langley, voted Oxfordshire Development Coach of the Year.
These two notable county successes were awarded to the Club by the Oxfordshire Lawn Tennis Association and reflect the Club’s success and achievements over the past year.

The Club has greatly improved and extended its facilities by having three new all-weather courts installed and now has a total of six all-weather
courts to allow for play all year round.

The new court lighting system also allows for evening play all year round and therefore the Club now offers the town a significant and modern sporting facility for both adult and junior players.

The Club has also been awarded the much sought after LTA Mini Tennis accreditation and this is in recognition of its structured coaching programme for junior players and its Child Protection policy.

There have been notable league successes with promotions being achieved and the Club has now entered adult and junior teams into the National Club
League.

The work of the popular Head Coach, Simon Langley has also been recognised with his award, where in addition to developing this junior coaching
programme, he also runs a series of tennis sessions at schools in the area.

In addition to being a fully qualified and licensed coach, Simon is also a performance standard player and has contributed greatly to both encouraging
many new players of all ages to join the Club as well as to increasing the playing standards throughout the Club.

A high quality award-winning coach and an award-winning successful sports club that is open to everyone, located in the heart of Thame.

Should you wish to find out more about the Club, it is holding an Open Day on Sunday 15th April and an Open Evening on Tuesday 17th April and Simon
will be present at both to answer any questions as well as discuss the details of his coaching programme.

The Club is inviting everyone who is interested in tennis along to these two open events and demo racquets will be available if you would like to
play.

For more details about these events and opportunities at the Club, please call Aidan Coles on 01844-238900.

A JUNIOR team from Thame Tennis Club has won the county Mini Red Tennis Championship, a competition for players of under 8 years of age.
Sixteen clubs from throughout the county entered teams and after a league format, the finals were held at the Oxfordshire Lawn Tennis Association headquarters at Abingdon.
All of their matches were played to a very high standard, with the Thame quartet, Lauren Knowler, Elle Northcott, Alfie Guard and Dan Patey,
ultimately winning by the narrowest of margins.

As well as this notable team success, Coach, Simon Langley, has ensured that the Club has retained its LTA Mini Tennis accreditation by developing a fully integrated and popular coaching programme for junior players at the Club and should you wish to find out more details, he will be present at the Club’s Open
Day being held at its Queens Road courts on Sunday, April 15, commencing at 10.30am.

The team members pictured are: Lauren Knowler, Elle Northcott, Alfie Guard and Dan Patey, with the club’s Head Coach, Simon Langley, who has recently been voted the Oxfordshire LTA Development Coach of the Year.

League game:31/03/07 Highworth Town 1 Thame United 1
THAME picked up another precious point in this dour battle against a competitive Highworth Town side. With leading scorer Nathen Jack having a subdued match, it was his strike partner, Darren Moore, who notched the vital goal only 4 minutes into the game. Highworth defender Andy Minturn made a hash of an attempted clearance leaving Moore through on goal and although keeper, Ian Gill, parried his initial shot, the Thame man followed up to slide the ball home.
Thame had gone into the game without skipper Greg Boult (holiday) and Ben Connelly (injured) so new signing from Oxford City, Jon Steedman, came into the side to have an impressive debut and Jack Green, back home from university, also came into the squad.

The home side equalised after 20 minutes when Matt Pratley netted from close range after good work and a fine cross from Paul Hunt down the right wing. But Thame were not finished and Moore brought a good save from the keeper ten minutes later but Highworth too had their chances and just before the break, Tom Dingle headed just wide when well placed.

In an evenly fought match it was Thame who started the second half as they had the first with Moore through on goal only to be thwarted with a good save from keeper Gill.

The conditions, a very windy day on an exposed and bumpy sloping pitch, were making good football difficult for both sides and grit and determination were the required qualities to succeed. Thame were fortunate in having players on show who displayed these attributes in abundance. Centre backs Dave Hocking and Matt Higgs (who improves with every game) battled manfully to contain the Highworth strikers whilst in midfield James Saulsbury, now almost back to full fitness after an injury ravaged season, covered acres of ground in neutralising the skilful Highworth midfield.

Chances were few and far between in the closing stages and although Matt Graves went close for Thame and Hunt missed with a diving header for Highworth, both sides were satisfied with the draw.

Thame United: Barisic, Ansell, Steedman, Saulsbury, Matt Higgs, Hocking (captain) Graves (sub West), Rhodes, Jack, Moore, Da Silva (sub J Green). Sub not used Ricketts.

Thame are without a game on Easter Saturday but are ‘away’ at Wallingford against Landlords, AFC Wallingford on Easter Monday k.o. 3pm. Two days later, on Wednesday 11 April, they are at home to high flying Hungerford Town k.o. 7.45pm.

Bob Dickson

02 April 2007 to 05 April 2007 – Easter Junior Tennis Camp at Thame Tennis Club, Chiltern Grove, Queens Road, Thame OX9 ENH.
For Easter 2007, Thame Tennis Club will be running two weeks of tennis and sport camps. The camp consists of tennis and a choice of football, Swedish handball or rounders. For more information or to confirm a place on the camp, please ask for a form or contact Simon Langley, Head Coach, tel 07796 171302, or email Simonlangley@jblsystems.co.uk. www.thametennisclub.org.uk.