Category: Sports News

RACQUETS Fitness Centre players, Tom White, Oz Mustafa and Simon Martin, all competed in the National Racketball Championships 2016 at Edgbaston Priory in Birmingham last weekend – and Simon is now National Racketball Over 45s Champion 2016.

Attracting over 200 players from all over the country and he Channel Islands, the tournament was played at the squash and tennis centre, recently in receipt of a £15 million refurbishment.  Tom, with his amazing racket skills, was battling with injury. He lost closely to last year’s’champion in the over 50s. Oz lost closely to the number two seed in five games.

“Simon had a good run and made it to the Over 45’s final,” reported Racquets coach and Simon’s wife, Sue Martin Downhill, “surprisingly after some heavy socialising and seemed to find some puff from somewhere to beat last year’s champion from Yorkshire, Mark Francis.”

“I am pleased to have come back from a hip resurfacing five years ago,” said a proud Simon, “to achieve another national title. It was 24 years ago when I won the Open Championships last time. I had a good draw and great support from the boys. It just goes to show that with good strength and conditioning work in the gym you can recover from major surgery and gain all your mobility and fitness back. I must thank the Racquets gym and massage team for their help with all our players, and would recommend anyone to play racketball whatever age or level as it’s very easy to play and a fun workout!

“I would like to dedicate this battle to my family, especially my late Dad who passed away in February this year. I wore my Cancer Research T-shirts throughout the tournament!”

Good luck to Racquets in the final of the Buckinghamshire racketball league finals this Saturday (16/07) being held at Aylesbury Squash and Tennis club. The club is looking to retain the team’s winning form from last year.

THAME United has received a major boost with the signing of former professional Steve Gregory for the forthcoming season.

Gregory, a 29-year old midfielder, played over twenty-five games for AFC Bournemouth in the 2011/12 season before moving on to Gillingham, for whom he made over fifty appearances in the 2013/14 season, with two spells at AFC Wimbledon, including a victorious play-off final victory against Luton Town that secured League status for the Dons.

Gregory has also appeared twice for England C, playing in matches against Wales (2010) and Belgium (2011).

Commenting on the signing, Thame assistant-manager Stuart Blaik said: ‘Steve is a fantastic signing for us and comes with wealth of recent Football League experience.

SOURCE: http://nonleague.pitchero.com/

RACQUETS Squash Academy in Thame are inviting both younger and adult players, to sign up for three tournaments coming soon.

For a friendly, junior graded squash tournament on Saturday, July 16, all standards are welcome – even if you’ve only been playing for a short while. Racquets use suitable balls and rubber lines to help young players get into a good game. Call in at Racquets’ reception to register.

Open Graded Tournament (all standards) and Oxon Closed A grade 3/4th September 2016

Racquets is also hosting the Oxfordshire Closed Championships. But for everyone else who plays squash the club is running an open graded tournament over the same weekend. Graded squash tournaments are for all standards. Whether you’ve been playing for six months or 20 years – it’s fun. It’s competitive but you’ll only play people of the same standard. Enter in advance.

More details on Racquets’ website: http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/

It was a case of mixed fortunes and mixed weather for Thame Town Cricket Club last weekend, resulting in defeat for the first team, a win for seconds, who remain top of Division Five, and a narrow defeat for the thirds, who as a result, broke their unbeaten playing record and remain second in Division nine.

Match reports

First XI

THAME 1st XI struggled at Amersham as they fell to a seven wicket defeat on Saturday, June 18. Put in to play on another damp wicket, Thame struggled as they lost early wickets, but recovered to 55 for 3 at lunch. However, a flurry of wickets after lunch left Thame in trouble and sliding to a total of 102 all out. In reply, a couple of early chances went down and that gave Amersham the confidence to ease past the total with just three wickets down.

Second XI

THAME second XI entertained Banbury fourths on Saturday knowing they must win to keep themselves at the top of Cherwell League Division Five. After the monsoon rains of the previous Wednesday, the ground was wet but Captain Chris Jeffcock won the toss and chose to bowl first. Thame’s bowlers proceeded to squeeze the visiting batsmen on the wet track, with Ian McStay (12-4-20-2) and Jeffcock (13-3-19-3) applying the early pressure and runs coming painfully slowly. Ali Thomas (8-1-12-3) and George Patey (3.4-0-9-2) applied the finishing touches, Banbury all out for 99 off 46.4 overs. After tea, Thame was in a hurry to win the game, as Richard Carr (54 not out) and Andy Jinman (26) put on 60 for the first wicket, with the game won inside 16 overs.

Third XI

THAME third XI lost for the first time this season, away to Twyford thirds. Losing the toss, Thame batted first and were under pressure with the ball swinging around, being reduced quickly to 9 for 3. Only James McStay (30), Luke McStay (24 not out) and Joe Phippen (22) provided any resistance as Thame hauled themselves from 35-5 up to a defendable 130-9. Needing quick wickets, Will Bruce-Morgan removed an opener early on, but several Twyford batsmen put up stiff resistance. Vim Desai picked up five wickets to give Thame a chance and John Phippen (2-30) and James McStay (1-10) put them in sight of victory, but despite only needing one last wicket and Twyford still needing 25 runs, it was the home side that prevailed in a tense ending.

Women’s cricket

MEANWHILE, great news for all female cricketers and fitness enthusiasts, as Crick-Fit started up again last week at Thame’s ground at Church Meadow on Wednesdays (6.30 to 7.30). All women and girls are welcome to come along every Wednesday – just turn up on the night or contact Sheena Beard on 01844-213695 or sheenabeard@btinternet.com

FOLLOWING Chinnor RFC’s announcement about its new senior coaching structure to take the club forward into a semi-professional future, Director of Rugby Matt Williams has announced the formation of the Chinnor Falcons.

Chinnor Falcons will be a Development-focused team replacing the 2nd XV with former 1st XV recruit, Dave McKee, as player/coach.

Dave has played over 100 National League games for Hartpury, Cinderford and Chinnor. He suffered a back injury that stopped him playing last season but is now fit and raring to go, stating: “I am very excited by the challenge of creating a successful group of boys to support the 1st XV, and enable lads to progress through from youth to senior.”

Secpnd XV team manager, Hwyel Evans, will move into managing the Falcons and Julian Millo appointed as fixtures secretary of both Falcons and Colts.

Chinnor Falcons will have the major aim of feeding into the 1st XV and creating the next generation of Chinnor stars. The team will consist of a combination of existing Chinnor players, University players, former and current Colts, anchored by 1st XV squad members.

Matt Williams himself said: “It is vital that we get a clear and defined pathway for lads to progress from Chinnor and Oxfordshire Youth into our 1st XV. If boys are good enough, age is most certainly not a barrier with me. We have a duty not just for Chinnor but for the youth of Oxfordshire to give them a pathway to reach the level of Rugby that they are capable of and have the dedication for. Boys mature at different ages and there is a lot of talent out there, boys who have missed Premiership Academy structures for various reasons.”

Chinnor RFC will also be organising four Floodlight Wednesday Night, Under 20 games spread throughout the season. This will provide an opportunity to further progress the highly talented young players progressing through Chinnor.

Matt added: “This is a great opportunity to keep lads in contact with the club who have gone to university or work far afield. There is a big drop off in most clubs from Colts to Seniors as lads find other things in their life – Universities to girls! If we can keep the club in their minds when the time is right, they will be back!”

Director of Rugby, Matt Williams, will also be in charge of Colts Rugby from next season, with current first team player, Greg Goodfellow, as Colts’ Head Coach.

Matt concluded: “The Falcons and Colts will have the same attention to detail as the 1st XV and I will be viewing all the video analysis of both teams. If you are good enough, you will progress. My coaches pathway of Ricky Khan coaching the Falcons on a Thursday, and Dave McKee coaching the Colts on a Wednesday, will mean that I have eyes across the board.”

PROBABLY for the first time ever, Thame town centre was closed early one sunny, summer afternoon in order to offer people young and old the opportunity of celebrating a monarch’s birthday – by playing a game of cricket in the street, just as thousands of children everywhere would have done in the 1950s when our Queen came to the throne.

On Friday, June 10, 2016, the local community joined together to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday. The Mayor of Thame, Linda Emery, bowled the first ball to Thame’s MP, John Howell. Other local dignitaries – Sarah Taylor, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire; Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council Chairman; Paul Harrison, South Oxfordshire Council Chairman; Steve Connell, Mayor of Didcot and Simon Brown, England Test Player (ECB ), all joined in the fun with local children in Thame High street.

Simon Brown demonstrated game tactics to the budding cricketers and they were able to join in specific kids kwick cricket matches and practice in portable cricket nets. There were opportunities to play in crazy catch competitions, sky high catches, hanging ball batting, Batfast cricket and throwing practice.

The whole cricket extravaganza was the brainchild of Mr Manoj Parmar, an Indian, ex pro cricketer and local sports mentor at MP Cricket Academy in Thame where the whole Academy team is dedicated to introducing children to the benefits of what Manoj describes as ‘this fabulous team sport’.

Manoj himself was delighted with the way the ’90 Not Out’ street cricket event went, and concluded: “Special thanks must go to Thame Town Council and also every single parent that gave up their precious time to make this extraordinary event take place.

“I couldn’t be happier to see so many kids running around, having fun playing cricket in Thame High Street.”

THAME Swimming Club recently achieved its most successful South East Region Swimming championships with a record number of six swimmers competing in a record number of 21 swims.

The ASA South East Region Championships, held in Portsmouth for the 15 plus age group, saw Jo Hewett achieve a Personal Best (PB) in five of her six events and win five medals in the multi-class disability category: two Gold (100 Breast; 200 Free) and three Bronze (100 Free; 50 Free & 100 Back).

Marcus Birmingham PB’d in all four of his events: 200 Free; 100 Breast; came eighth in the 200 Breast Final and took a huge 34 seconds off his 400 IM time.

Harry Block, competing as a first time regional swimmer in the 50 Fly, and came 14th out of 28 swimmers.

The 14 and Under Squad later competed over two weekends in May in Crawley. Lucy Block, who was the club’s youngest ever Regional swimmer, competed well in the 50 Back.

Elizabeth Humphreys also had a fine swim in four events, 50 Free; 100 Free; 50 Back and 200 Free.

Josh Williams swam in 10 events, PB’ing in seven of them and coming seventh in the 200 Free Final and ninth (first reserve) in five further races, 100 Fly; 200 Back; 100 Back; 50 Fly and 50 Back. In his 10th and the final boys race of the Regionals, the 400 Free, Josh managed to take five seconds off his previous Personal Best.

THAME cricketers can now look forward to having some of the very best facilities in the county, having received the news that Thame Town Cricket Club has planning approval to build a new clubhouse, nets and parking facilities.

The club, which currently has over 200 members, including juniors and females, has been based at the picturesque setting of Church Meadow in the heart of Thame, since 1975 when the ground and clubhouse were created from existing low grade agricultural land and derelict farm buildings.

Thame TCC’s First XI play in the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier Cricket League Division Two, having been undefeated champions of Cherwell League Division One, and being promoted in 2015. The ‘Firsts’ also won the Wilf Bennett T20 Trophy last season. The Club is recognised by the England and Wales Cricket Board as one of four ‘Focus Clubs’ in South Oxfordshire by virtue of its standards, youth coaching programmes, Clubmark status and links with Lord Williams School.

Why are these new facilities needed?

“Now the clubhouse has out lived its useful lifespan,” explained Matt Swain, the Club’s Vice Chairman,”and whilst it has ‘lots of character’ is not fit for purpose to cater for three adult Saturday league teams, 94 juniors in five age group teams and a hugely popular Women’s section.”

The new clubhouse will meet ECB (English Cricket Board) technical specifications for new Pavilions and Clubhouses, and be designed in a way which is sympathetic to its beautiful surroundings next to the Grade I listed Church and Grade II listed Dovecote. Thame Hockey Club will share the building and use it during the Winter as their clubhouse, whilst still playing their matches at Thame Leisure Centre. Thame Netball club will also use the new facility.

Funding

Subject to finding the additional funding for the £800,000 project, and lease consents, the plan is to demolish the existing clubhouse and build the new one during the winter of 2017, ready for the start of the 2018 cricket season. The cricket club has already secured a grant of £120,00 from Thame Town Council, as well an additional £198,000 earmarked from the town council’s Sports Strategy (money raised through section 106 contributions from Developers). The club is in the process of applying for further funding from South Oxfordshire District Council and Sport England.

“The project has been well supported by Thame Town Council,” continued Matt, “and the next steps for the club will be to raise the remaining £480,000 to be able to complete the development.

“We are delighted with the positive response from SODC and can’t thank Thame Town Council and Ben Holland, of Thame Architects, Holland & Green, enough for supporting us to get this project off the ground. It will make a huge difference, not just to the members of the Cricket, Hockey and Netball clubs but to the broader community of Thame, who will be able to enjoy the facility in the heart of town at one of the most idyllic settings that Oxfordshire has to offer.

Aspirations

“We are a charitable organisation run by volunteers who have the club’s best interest at heart in everything we do. We have worked really hard over the last few years to develop the club and make it something that more and more people can enjoy. The new clubhouse is part of our broader aspirations to become one of the best clubs in Oxfordshire which will help provide sustainability for many years to come.”

See for yourself!

You can see artist’s impressions and special 3D video of the proposed new design by Ben Holland, here: LINK

THE cricket ground down at Church Meadow reverberated to the sounds of ball-on-bat on Tuesday, May 24,and to the enthusiastic cheers of 10 and 11-year-olds.

The occassion was the Schools Cricket Day for local primary schools, organised by Oxfordshire Cricket Board and Thame Town Cricket Club, to encourage local children to enjoy a day of cricket, played in the spirit of fair play and with a competitive edge against their rival schools.

The first such event in over a decade, it brought together five primary schools – Barley Hill, John Hampden, St Joseph’s, Great Milton and St Andrew’s, in Chinnor, with a total of 100 children, split 50/50 girls and boys, mainly from year six (aged 10 and 11). They were all playing in a kwik cricket tournament, run by the OCB (Oxfordshire Cricket Board) team and a small army of volunteers from TTCC.

Starting in ideal, sunny weather, in the shadow of St Mary’s church, at 10 o’clock, the tournament unfolded over four hours, with 20 matches being played and some excellent cricket skills on display. In the end the trophy for the winning girls’ team went to St Joseph’s and for the boys to John Hampden.

These two schools will now be rewarded with an invitation to the County Finals, taking place at Radley College on Wednesday, July 6, and TTCC will support both teams in their preparation for this event.

Judging by the enthusiastic response to the day, everyone involved is looking forward to the next tournament in 2017. TTCC would like to thank sincerely the three sponsors who made the day possible – Holland & Green Design, J. Bennett & Son Insurance and Landmark Garden Design.

SOURCE: Contributed by Andy Jinman