Category: Sports News

EX MANCHESTER UNITED and England player, Neil Webb will be making his debut for Thame United tomorrow evening in their home game against Dunstable Town.
Kick off is at 7:45pm at Buckingham Road, Aylesbury.

Chinnor 30pts – Maidenhead 13pts

CHINNOR eventually overcame their nerves on Saturday, to defeat a confident Maidenhead side to take the South West Division One title.
This was never going to be an easy ride for Chinnor. Maidenhead were one of the only two sides that had defeated them this season. This fixture had always been considered to be a local derby, so much was at stake.
The Chinnor side needed just one victory from two games to take the title against a resurgent Maidenhead who were also unbeaten in their last six games. Both teams were at full strength with James Hewitt and Ed Rixon for Chinnor returning from injury. Paul Hennessy captained Chinnor in the absence of Craig Burrows with Matt Hutchins starting in the second row.
Maidenhead won the toss and elected to play with the strong breeze at their backs. However all the play with Chinnor in the first 10 minutes as they laid siege to the Maidenhead line. Strong defence kept them at bay, and when Chinnor elected to go for goal and narrowly missed, Maidenhead went on the offensive. With their line-out functioning particularly well, and their back row getting to the break down at speed, they were looking dangerous. Dan Walton kicked a penalty for a Chinnor off-side in the 12th minute and repeated the dose just four minutes later for a similar infringement. A Simon Cripps try followed a decisive break by Jonny Hammond, was converted by Walton putting Maidenhead in the ascendancy with still 20 minutes of the first half remaining. The Chinnor defence stood firm during this period, assisted somewhat by some stange option taking by the visitors.
The first 10 minutes of the second half gave no indication of what was to come. Both sides went close to scoring before James Hewitt stepped up to claw three points back for a Maidenhead off-side. Chinnor were now on the front foot, but remained patient. Then, a seering break through the middle by Rewi Tolich saw him hand on to Eric Brown who ran in under the posts. With the Hewitt conversion a formality, and the same player adding a penalty just eight minutes later, it was now game on.
With John Brodley ringing the changes, it was substitute, Richard Williams next on the score sheet rounding off a move he had started to, again, go over under the posts. Hewitt added the extra points and minutes later struck an excellent penalty to put clear water between the sides. An Eric Brown try from a forward drive with a Hewitt conversion from the touchline, made it six successful kicks out of seven for the youngster, and was the icing on the cake for the home side.
Chinnor had scored 30 unanswered points in the last remarkable quarter of the game, much of which can be attributed to the leadership of Paul Hennessy who remained calm throughout.

This was Chinnor’s fourthth promotion in the last 10 years. It’s a long way from the Bucks and Oxon Division One, to the National Leagues. With Chinnor’s 2nd XV winning the Bucks, Berks and Oxon Premier Division 1 title, and the 3rd XV on the verge of winning their league, this could be a unique treble for the Thame based club.

IT was soon obvious that there was no love lost in this local derby played between two very competitive teams on Saturday.
Chinnor Seconds won by just one point against Oxford Harlequins winning them the league on points difference, denying the title to the Harlequins who needed only to draw to win the league.
Chinnor Seconds failed to play to their normal high standard, the forwards failing to gel for the first 15 minutes. As a result they were often found to be on the back foot and Oxford Harlequins took an early lead from a penalty. Chinnor then scored under the posts in the 18th minute with a great run by Jamie Hiscock from his own goal line, converted by Adam White.
The Quins hit back five minutes later with a push- over try. Chinnor then settled down and Adam White scored and converted his own try, followed two minutes later by a second try from Jamie Hiscock duly converted by Adam White. He then followed this up with a successful penalty and Chinnor were 24 points to eight ahead.
Once again Jamie Hiscock took the opportunity to out-run the Quins’ backs to score under the posts and Adam White was once more on target and the first half finished 31 points to eight in Chinnor?s favour.
In he second half, the Quins had the wind behind them and came back at Chinnor with tries scored in the fourth and the 16th minutes but only converted once the score was only 31 points to 20.
Chinnor was blown out of the game when it tried to set up any second or third phase play, which the team had found great success with previously throughout the season. As a result it spoiled a very good and hard game, which affected the players on both sides. These frustrations lead to the sending off of one of Chinnor?s front row, and Quins ran in two tries during the fifteen minutes the player was off the field.
With just 10 minutes to go, the scores were 31 points to 30 in Chinnor’s favour. They were very relieved indeed to finish the game without conceding any more points.
The team would like to thank Oxford Harlequins for a very close game, and one they were very delighted and thankful to win.
The man of the match was Jon Brooks picked out by the Quins Coach.
Finally, Chinnor second team captain, Tom Wood and manager Walter McGuicken would like to congratulate and thank all players who have played for the team this year and contributed towards the side winning the league.

Walter McGuicken

Tries: Jamie Hiscock 3; Adam White 1
Conversions: Adam White 4
Penalties: Adam White 1

THAME Tennis Club has just completed a major development project to increase the playing facilities at its Queens Road location, including the construction of three new, all-weather courts and floodlighting.
Having been in existence and in the same location for over 80 years, the Club now has a total of six high quality, all-weather courts, one of which is dedicated as a priority court for junior players.

With the new facilities now in place, the Club is growing as expected with new members joining on a regular basis. The Club is now able to offer both evening tennis all year round as well as the facility of multi-discipline activities being able to take place at the same time, both of which had not been possible previously.

The new lit courts are in full use each evening and all of the courts are in use at the weekends, where it is not unusual to see all six courts being played on at the same time, with matches, coaching and club play all taking place simultaneously.

The junior priority court, with its special mini tennis line markings for coaching sessions, also allows for junior members to play as a priority over adult members. Whilst adult members can use the court if it is not in use, junior members are empowered to ask them to vacate the court if they need to. The Club rigorously enforces this priority usage.

The development of the junior section is further and significantly aided by the appointment of Simon Langley as the Club?s fully qualified and LTA approved Head Coach, and Simon has successfully implemented a new and integrated coaching programme.

In addition to extensive work with the local schools, the impressive coaching programme has resulted in new members joining, as well as the Club being recently awarded the highly valued LTA Mini Tennis Accreditation status.

The coaching programme, which is for adult and junior players, continues to expand and also offers specialist one-to-one sessions.

The Club also successfully runs a large number of adult and junior teams in the local leagues (i.e. Oxfordshire, Aylesbury & District and Thames Valley), so there are great opportunities for competitive league tennis at all levels, all year round.

The Club is delighted to have achieved Mini Tennis Accreditation status and its next ambition is to become a performance centre of renown in Oxfordshire.

New members are always welcome and the Club is holding an Open Day at its Queens Road Courts on Sunday, April 23, to which everyone is welcome and where demonstration racquets and other equipment will be available for use.

For further details, please call the Chairman Aidan Coles on 01844-238900 or visit the Club?s website at www.thametennisclub.org.uk.

CHINNOR lst XV celebrate finishing top of the South West league for promotion to National league three, after their victory over Maidenhead at Kingsey Road, Thame on Saturday.
Score; Chinnor 30 Maidenhead 13
Report to follows.

Thame United 1, Willenhall Town 1.
THAME United earned their first league point since mid February in a hard-fought, and sometimes bad-tempered contest, on Saturday.
Thame took the lead after four minutes play when good work by Anthony Hamilton allowed Darren Moore to hit a superb volley low into the corner of the goal from 15 yards. Thame had the better of the first half chances with both Robbie Eason and Hamilton going close. The sides went in for half time with Thame?s goalkeeper, Paul Searl hardly tested.

The Willenhall half-time team talk clearly worked, as the roles were reversed in a second half, which saw Thame keep in their own half for much of the time. Willenhall almost equalised in the 73rd minute, after George Shielis created a good opportunity for Paul Danks but Searl made an outstanding save to maintain Thame?s slender lead. Thame had a half chance in the 85th minute when Hamilton met a cross from substitute George Harman, but his shot went wide.
The equaliser came with just two minutes remaining, when Danks got the better of his defender and scored from close range in a goalmouth scramble where he looked suspiciously offside. Both teams pressed for a winner, but it was all square when the final whistle blew.

Thame United: Searl, Way, Eason, Hocking, Bradley (Hopkins), Connelly, Raja (Morgan), Fisher (Harman), Moore, Hamilton, Groves.

Thame travel to Brackley Town on Easter Saturday, April 15, and entertain Marlow on Tuesday April 18 (7.45).

FORMER England, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Reading midfielder, Neil Webb has signed for Thame United.

Thame United 0, Bromsgrove Rovers 4
AS a result of Tuesday’s match it is now mathematically impossible for Thame United to finish the season in any other position than bottom of the Southern League West. Thame will therefore, almost certainly, play their football in a lower league next season although, as the league structure is currently being overhauled, they will not know which league for several weeks.

Tuesday’s game saw the welcome return from injury of Gavin Lane, which was just as well as both Robbie Easton and Dave Tregurtha were unavailable. It was an entertaining match, played at a fast pace, and was not as one sided as the score suggests. For long periods of the game possession was 50/50. The difference was that Bromsgrove took their chances whereas Thame were ineffective when they got the ball in, or near, their opponent?s penalty area.

Bromsgrove?s first came the 23rd minute when Wayne Dyer made a good run on the right before squaring for Paul Moore to finish from eight yards. It was 10 minutes into the second half before Bromsgrove added to their tally with a superb individual goal. Wing back, Matt Johnson collected the ball just inside the Thame half and ran at goal beating two defenders along the way, before chipping the ball over the advancing Thame goalkeeper, Paul Searl. The third came on 77 minutes when substitute, Exodus Geoghan, lobbed Searl from 30 yards. The final goal, and Dyer?s second, came with five minutes to play when he fired a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The game saw the debut of 16-year-old George Harman who, despite being harshly booked, looks a promising player. Thame?s young side, once again, gave their all and fought to the final whistle. There were some good individual performances and the team ?grows? with each game.

Thame?s relegation is, of course, a direct result of the loss of Windmill Stadium. Over 80% of the clubs funds came from the bar and function room hire, hence the club was forced to slash its playing budget to the smallest in the league by far. To quote joint manager Alan Thorne: “the youngsters have been great and have showed amazing spirit and skill even when we were getting slaughtered. I believe we can come back at the first attempt.”
Report By Bob Dixon.

Thame United: Searl, Hocking, N. Rhodes, Bradley, Lane (Harman), Hopkins (Way), Connelly, A. Rhodes, Moore, Hamilton, Groves.

Thame entertain Willenhall Town next Saturday, 8th April. On Wednesday 12th, fellow strugglers Dunstable town visit Buckingham Road Stadium (7.45).

Sutton Coldfield 8, Thame United 0.
THAME United suffered their heaviest defeat of the season last Saturday (01/04) at Sutton Coldfield. The home team was playing for a playoff place and, as this could come down to goal difference, was relentless in attack.
Thame were missing several of their regular players and also had a man sent off; but nevertheless delivered a gutsy performance. Paul Searl, in the Thame goal was in excellent form and was applauded off the pitch by the home fans.
Sutton came out guns blazing and scored 5 in the first 23 minutes. The first came in the fourth minute when the defence allowed space for Rowe to lob Searl. Four minutes, later Grocutt met a corner with a good header. Dodd got Sutton?s third in the 14th minute with a superb strike from 25 yards, giving Searl no chance. Sutton?s fourth followed a clearly offside pass, which put Moran in a one-on-one with Searl who stood no chance from an excellent finish. Rowe got his seconnd and Sutton?s fifthth in the 23rd minute following a goalmouth scramble.
Thame recovered from the initial torrent and on 40 minutes, Luke Fisher fired a fierce shot which brought an excellent save from the Sutton keeper. This was closely followed by an excellent shot from Steve Groves, which went just wide of the goal.
Just before half time with Searl beaten, Rob Hopkins reacted on the line with his hand (an excellent save) and was sent off. The subsequent penalty was wide of the goal.

The second half saw Sutton keeping Thame in their own half for much of the time. Searl kept the score at 5 ?0, with some superb goal keeping, until the 60th minute. After a fine parry from Searl, the rebound was picked up by Markman who netted Sutton?s sixth. Five minutes later searl was again faced with a one-on-one with Moran, only to be beaten again. Thame came close to a consolation goal when Nik Rhodes took a superb free kick and forced the Sutton keeper to produce another excellent save. The home team continued to dominate keeping Searl busy and forcing him to dive low to his right to make what was the save of the match. Hughes got Sutton?s final goal in the 66th minute.

On the positive side, Ben Connolly did a good job in midfield giving Sutton a lot of problems. The Thame lads continued to fight and certainly did not deserve the score line on effort. Once again, they dug in and battled to the final whistle.

Thame United: Searl, Way, Hopkins, N Rhodes, Hocking, Connolly, Fisher (Lane) Morgan, Bowland, Bradley, Groves.

Thame United are at home to Willenhall Town next Saturday 8th April. The following Wednesday, fellow strugglers Dunstable Town visit Buckingham Road Stadium. (7.45)

CHINNOR RFC seconds are becoming accustomed to taking on challenges presented to them. This time against Barnet 1st, which plays in the London Three League. Chinnor rose to the challenge of higher quality opposition for the sixth time this season, due to a lack of teams willing to play Chinnor seconds.
Tom Wood was unable to lead his boys out this week due to injury and the job was left in the capable hands of Alan Cawston and other senior players. The game as usual was very physical and hard, which the seconds have come to expect when they play opposition from higher leagues.
Once again they welcomed three new young players Rob Fenwick, Matt Woodward and Pete Elson with all having outstanding games.
Chinnor Played into a very strong wind in the first half and prevented Barnet from using it to their advantage, with the forwards keeping control of the ball. It took Chinnor 15 minutes before getting the first points on the board with some good forward drives. Rob Fenwick scored and James Hewitt converted it. Shortly afterwards Barnet equalized with a converted try, followed by a penalty which gave them a lead of 10 points to 7 at the end of the first half. This was quite acceptable having played into a very strong wind for 45 minutes.
Chinnor started the second half with the wind at their backs, and within three minutes, James Dollery kicked a ball from of his own 22 meter line, which was chased down and picked up by Matt Woodward who out ran Barnet and scored near the posts. This was then duly converted by James Hewitt followed minutes later by a successful penalty by him and Chinnor was up 17 points to 10 within five minutes of the second half.
It was a bit of a stalemate for the next 15 minutes until Chinnor increased their lead with another penalty by Hewitt making it 20 points to 10. In the latter part of the game Henry Lee scored which James Hewitt converted and Chinnor increased their lead to 27 points to 10.
It was quite a compliment to be told by the Barnet coach that the Chinnor discipline in defence and attack was great to watch. He also named Danny Burns, Matt Woodward and Alan Cawston as outstanding players.
Pete Nayler pipped Danny Burns as man of the match.

Walter McGuicken