Category: Sports News

DURING February, if you are a SOLLutions member, refer a friend and you will receive two months cash back on your membership! After your friend has been a member for 6 months you will receive a cheque for two months equivalent of your membership rate! It couldn’t be simpler!

Pick up further details in your nearest club and help your friends kick start their new years fitness resolution.

This offer is available at the following SOLLutions clubs: –
Thame Leisure centre, Thame 01844 215607
Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield 01865 341035
Faringdon Leisure Centre, Faringdon 01367 241755
Castle Leisure Centre, Wallingford 01491 839755
Didcot Leisure Centre, 01235 811250
Didcot Wave Leisure Pool, 01235 819888

The Park Sports Centre, Holton, near Wheatley 01865 872128
Henley Leisure Centre, Gillotts Lane 01491 577909
Wantage Leisure Centre, Wantage 01235 766201
Willowbrook Leisure Centre, Ladygrove, Didcot 01235 812058
Link here for further information

Or send an email to: info@soll-leisure.co.uk

Group in-door cycling
Spinning is an excellent way of reproducing the feeling of cycling outdoors. If you are looking for a short high intensity workout, but need a little extra motivation from an instructor, want to avoid physical risk and enjoy the social aspect of a group class, then indoor cycling is for you.

Many people feel a little intimidated at the thought of trying an indoor cycling class, assuming that it is an intense, overwhelming workout that only the very fit can handle. However, this is a common misconception. The beauty of indoor cycling is that you work at your own level and you set your own intensity by adjusting the bike’s resistance, so your age, size or fitness level doesn’t matter. You are in charge of your own ride.

Because indoor cycling is both aerobic and anaerobic, many experts believe it is the ultimate fitness experience, providing you with both a terrific cardiovascular workout and training for muscular endurance. In a single workout, you can burn between 400-500 calories. Indoor cycling is particularly versatile as it is a non-impact activity and as such, is ideal for pre- and post-natal women, and people with conditions such as back pain or arthritis.

Customers are advised to book early as classes are very popular.

Keiser Spin is available at the following clubs: –

Thame Leisure centre, Thame 01844 215607
Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield 01865 341035
Faringdon Leisure Centre, Faringdon 01367 241755
The Park Sports Centre, Holton, near Wheatley 01865 872128
The Wave Leisure Pool, Didcot 01235 819888
Henley Leisure Centre, Henley-on-Thames 01491 577909
Wantage Leisure Centre, Wantage 01235 766201
Willowbrook Leisure Centre, Ladygrove, Didcot 01235 812058

DETAILS of this February’s half term, ‘Camp Soll’ programme are now available for you to pick up at your nearest centre.

Our OFSTED Registered Camps SOLL have been providing holiday fun for years. The Hosts try hard to provide something for every taste – from craft and art sessions to go-karting. There’s always something in the programme for everyone.

For a copy of the exciting Camp SOLL programme please send an e-mail to info@soll-leisure.co.uk stating your preferred leisure centre:

Thame Leisure centre, Thame 01844 215607
Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield 01865 341035
Faringdon Leisure Centre, Faringdon 01367 241755
Castle Leisure Centre, Wallingford 01491 839755
Didcot Leisure Centre, 01235 811250
Tilsley Park, Abingdon 01235 524524
The Park Sports Centre, Holton, near Wheatley 01865 872128
Henley Leisure Centre, Henley-on-Thames 01491 577909
Wantage Leisure Centre, Wantage 01235 766201
Willowbrook Leisure Centre, Ladygrove, Didcot 01235 812058

Rushall Olympic 5, Thame United 0 -28/01/06

THIS was a game the young Thame United team need to forget fast. They were simply outclassed by an on-form and well-organised Rushall side that bombarded the Thame goal from the kick off.

The first goal came after 19 minutes with an 18-yard shot into the top corner by Tyrone Barnett. Six minutes later Neil Barnfield turned in a low cross from close range. The Rushall defence managed to snuff out Thame attacks and their goalkeeper went in for half time without having really been tested.

Rushall?s third came five minutes after the restart when Paul Searl did well to parry a shot, but the ball fell to Neil Kitchen who tapped in. The best goal of the game came on 66 minutes with a beautiful curled shot into the top corner, from the edge of the box, by Raid Erraji. Rushall?s final goal, in the 84th minute, was the result of a goalmouth scramble.

Alan and Richard?s young team have strong potential but when any team goes through a loosing spell it is easy to become disheartened and loose belief. This only invites further defeat. Whilst it is difficult, the team need to believe in themselves, and give every game their all.

Although, with a 10-point deficit, relegation is a strong possibility, all is not yet lost.

Thame United: Searl, Bradley, N Rhodes, Eason, Tregurtha, Hocking, Hopkins, A. Rhodes, A Stewart (Way), Connelly, Groves.

Thame United entertain Swindon Supermarine at Buckingham Road Stadium, next Saturday the 4th February.

CHINNOR returned with the spoils from this top of the table clash at Clifton on Saturday. The bitingly cold, swirling wind made handling difficult and penalty kicking even more so. However Chinnor adapted to the conditions better than the home side and had the match winner in the place kicking of James Hewitt.

Chinnor began with purpose, moving the ball wide as often as possible, going close to breaching the Clifton defence, which is the best in the league, on a couple of occasions. A penalty goal by Hewitt was their only reward for this early pressure. With Clifton’s No.8 and captain John Levis breaking dangerously and with pace from the back of the scrum, they scored when the supporting second rower, Ryan Cox plunged over the line. Another try just minutes later by flanker Chris Lowry from another Levis surge extended the Clifton lead, but with Bell missing both conversions and a penalty just on the half-time whistle, the 10pts to 3 lead was not insurmountable.

With no let-up from the Artic conditions, the second half was very much a stalemate in the initial stages with most of the play between the 22 metre line. However it was becoming evident that Chinnor were gaining the ascendancy in the forward exchanges, so much so that Blake was sin binned for persistent infringement around the rucks. Chinnor made the most of their one man advantage when they shoved the Clifton pack backwards over the line for Paul Hennessy to get the touchdown. With Hewitt judging the wind to perfection and adding the conversion, the scores were level and it was very much game on.

Chinnor persisted in running the ball and a delightful chip from fly-half, Matt Buckley, set up a try for Eric Brown which proved to be
the winning score. Brown took the 50/50 ball in his stride, brushing off two tackles to powerfully make the line. Another well-judged kick from the
impressive Hewitt sealed the win. The Chinnor scrummaging was top draw throughout and this allied with a strong defence and having a reliable place
kicker in a tight match proved decisive.

Clifton 10pts Chinnor 17pts.

THAME United will meet Oxford United at 7.30pm next Tuesday, 31st January, in the quarter final of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.
The game will be played at Oxford City?s ground, Court Place Farm Stadium.

Friday night saw Thame Badminton Mens first team take on Didcot Power C for the top position in the division. Didcot Power is the only team to take more than 2 rubbers off Thame this season. Additionally, the Didcot 1st pair were the only pair to have beaten Thame?s 1st pair.

Chris Charman and Chris Daniels had lost to the Mignanelli brothers in straight games last time the sides met and were out for revenge. Before the start of the match, Chris Daniels broke the strings in his racquet and had to change to his second racquet. This reduced the time that the pair had to warm up and this was reflected in the opening game. Nevertheless, the Thame pair tried hard to defeat the very good play of the brothers but the youngsters skills were too much, especially with Chris Daniels? smash ineffective. A quick team talk at the break, saw the Thame pair try to introduce some width to the game. Despite the smashes not firing properly, Chris Daniels tried to up the pace whilst Chris Charman started to win some of the net rallies. Their combined efforts saw Thame take the lead and also seemed to affect one of the brothers who started to lose his self control. Thame managed to reverse the score of the first game and tie the rubber. The deciding game saw the brothers take the lead and maintain it up to the change over. Unfortunately, the Didcot pair upped their game after the change and only allowed Thame one more point to win the last game and thus the rubber. This was the best rubber of badminton played by the Thame pair this season.

This result put pressure on the other Thame pairs. The Thame 2nd pair was a new pairing with Gareth Allingham, returning after an absence of 3 months, and Neil Richards, whose manager at Amazon Business Communication released him for this important match. The Didcot pair played a fast game that caught the Thame pair out at the start. Allingham and Neil Richards started slowly but then showed their superiority over the Didcot 2nd pair. Having won the first game, the new Thame pairing lost only 2 further points to wrap up the second game and the rubber. Trevor Walker joined up with Keith Richards to take on the Didcot 3rd pair. The tactic of one of the Didcot pair to serve high all the time kept catching Keith Richards out but did not prevent the pairing winning the game. A team talk at the break allowed the pair to step up and concede fewer points in the second game to win the rubber. This saw Thame ahead after the first round of matches 2 ? 1.

In the second round of rubbers saw the Allingham and Neil Richards pair take on the Dicot 3rd pair and easily win the first game. The opposition then improved their play but were unable to deny Thame the rubber. Walker and Keith Richards then took on the Didcot 2nd pair who knew they had to win the rubber to keep in the match. A hard fought game saw the Didcot pair just gain the upper hand to win. However, Walker and Richards raised their game and attacked to good effect to level the rubber. They could not maintain the pressure on the Didcot pair and lost the game and rubber. Charman and Daniels returned on court to play, determined not to lose. This determination soon saw the first game won and the pressure on the Didcot pair to win resulted in many mistakes. Unlike the last match, Charman and Daniels did not ease off and went to win the rubber. This left the result of the match still undecided at 4-2.

Allingham and Neil Richards took on the Didcot 1st pair. The Thame pair, playing at a high tempo and with some excellent shots, found themselves at game point. However, the Mignanelli brothers played hard and concentrated on keeping in the rally until they could win the point. They were able to draw level and the Thame pair chose to set. The Didcot pair took advantage of having the serve at the start of setting and fought their way to victory. The effort of taking the opposition to such as close game rebounded on the Thame pair as they lost the second game quickly. With the match now at 4-3, The Thame 1st pair took on the weakest Didcot pairing knowing that by taking the rubber they would put Thame in a winning position. Wasting little time, the pair dominated the game to win and again kept the pressure on to win the second game, the rubber and give Thame a winning match score. Walker and Keith Richards took on the unbeaten Didcot pair at the same time as the Thame 1st pair was playing. Didcot quickly won the first game, but when they realised their team mates had lost seemed to ease off. The Thame pair was not aware of this and tried their best but were still unable to overcome the Didcot pair.

Thame won the match 5 ? 4 to almost guarantee promotion. With the last 2 matches against teams Thame has already beaten, the team have it in their own hands to top the division. Thame Badminton Club is still looking for new members and welcome anyone interested on a Wednesday night at 8.00pm at the Thame Leisure Centre.

Chinnor No 15, Full Back, James Hewitt in full flight during Saturday’s match against Penryn.
Score: Chinnor 88 Penryn 10
Report by Kenneth Vaughan

Chinnor 88pts Penryn 10 pts.

THIS 14 try romp keeps Chinnor there or thereabout in the hunt for a promotion spot.
The scoreline hardly seemed likely as Penryn, playing with much fervour and vigour, took the game to Chinnor in the first 15 minutes in perfect conditions at Kingsey Road on Saturday. Prompted by half-backs
Pascoe and Lovell, with No.8 Peseta running powerfully, Penryn enjoyed a surfeit of possession in these early stages. Their only reward for this
pressure was a penalty goal in the 3rd minute from Cornwall scrum-half Pascoe. Chinnor opened their acount in the 15th minute when Eric Brown came
onto the ball at speed. With his angle of running completely deceiving the Penryn defence, he scored under the posts. With Sam Soane hitting the line at
pace to power over from 22metres out 3 minutes later and James Hewitt converting both tries, the game had turned on its head. Tries by Soane,Winpenny, Brown and Hennessy at regular intervals with three conversions from Hewitt brought a half-time score of 38 pts to 3.

There was no let-up in the second half. Running the ball from all areas of the field Chinnor piled on the pressure.Chinnor were passing and taking the ball at speed and this, alied to good angles of running, carved holes in the Penryn defensive alignment. Morgan Thompson was first on the scoresheet when he supported a sweeping move to score under the posts. Two tries by substitute Jamie Hiscock followed within three minutes of taking the field.I ndeed it was almost a hat-trick if the referee had not adjudged a
final pass forward shortly afterwards. With James Hewitt (2), Matt Buckley,Darren Oxley and Rewi Tolich getting in on the act it was a try fiest, with
Hewitt adding three conversions. That Chinnor scored their last try with 15 minutes remaining was testamount to Penryn’s endeavour. They did not give up
and indeed were last on the scoresheet with James Geraty going over near the posts and Pascoe adding the conversion.

Score: Thame United 0 Bedworth United 2
BEDWORTH deserved to win this game. They created more chances and looked more dangerous than the young Thame side who remain at the foot of the table after their fourth successive defeat.
Both sides created good first half chances but were wasteful in front of goal. Bedworth had an opportunity to go ahead after 12 minutes, but Paul Searl in the Thame goal, pulled of an outstanding save from Jonathon Douglas?s well-hit shot.

The second half was eight minutes old when Thame mounted their best attack of the game. Following a well-worked move involving Darren Moore and Alex Stuart, keeper David Clarke blocked Moore?s shot. As the ball bounced frantically around inside the area, Clarke and his defenders managed to block four goal bound shots, from various Thame players before eventually clearing the danger.
Two minutes later Bedworth took the lead when Gilbert Cummings pulled the ball back from the by line to Benjamin Twigger, who fired home from the edge of the area. Bedworth?s second came in the 78th minute when Cummings met a corner and headed down to Douglas who knocked the ball home from close range. Bedworth were now in control and could have scored again but for another fine save from Searl and good work from Dave Hocking who cleared a shot off the line.

Thame played with enthusiasm and fought to the final whistle, but they seem to lack both creativity and ?killer instinct? in front of goal. The welcome return of Dave Tregurtha has added more strength and much needed experience in defence.

Thame United: Searl, Hocking, N. Rhodes, Eason, Tregurtha, A. Rhodes, Connelly, Fisher (Groves), A Stewart (Way), Moore, Hamilton (Freeman).

The Swimming pool at Thame Leisure Centre in Oxford Road, will be closed between 10am and 4pm on Thursday, February 2, for an annual service of the movable floor.
For further information contact the Operations Assistant Manager on 01844 215607.

CHINNOR 2nd- 18 Pts vs OXFORD HARLEQUINS 1st- 21 Pts
January 14 – Home Game
Tries -Jamie Hiscock x2
Conversions – Adam White x1
Penalties – Adam White x2

THIS was the friendly of all friendlies between Chinnor 2nd and Oxford Harlequins 1st team. Predictably it was a very competitive game between two good teams that put Chinnor seconds to the test, with this team playing in the same league as Chinnor first team.
The game was fast and furious from the first minute with both teams giving they?re all. The first points came the way of Oxford Harlequins in the 12th minute with a push over try.
In the 20th minute Harlequins were penalised and Adam White hit the posts, the ball bounced back into play and was picked up by Jamie Hiscock, who scored under the posts, converted by Adam White. This gave Chinnor a lead of 7points to 5. Chinnor increased their lead a few minutes later with another successful penalty by Adam White.
Only for Harlequins to then retake the lead after some good inter passing between their backs which resulted in a try, and this took the score to 12 points to 10. Chinnor then got another 3 points from the boot of Adam White.
Jamie Hiscock got his second try after chasing down a kick and running seventy metres to score a great try in the corner, Chinnor finished the first half 18 points to 12 in the lead.
Chinnor played the first 10 minutes of the second half with 14 men when Ed Divine was most unfortunate to be given a yellow card. Chinnor lost 3 points to a penalty in this phase of play, and it was only in the 30th minute before any more points were scored. These going the way of Oxford Harlequins with a penalty, which evened the scores to 18 points each.
Adam White narrowly missed the posts with a long-range kick for goal with two minutes remaining,
Chinnor was then very unlucky in the last minute of play when they were penalised for holding on to the ball that was in the position of Harlequins at the time. Oxford Harlequins won the game with the last kick of the game, 21 points to 18.
Jamie Hiscock was awarded man of the match.

Walter McGuicken