Category: Sports News

AROUND 120 people are expected to swim for one hour and raise funds for their favourite charity at the Thame Swimathon which will take place at Thame Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 28, between 11am and 3pm.

The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Thame with generous support from local businesses and organisations: Thame Leisure Centre, Park Street Dental Clinic, Abbotts Office Solutions, Vale Life Magazine, Haddenham Beer Festival, Booker Tate, Ignite Sports, and Silent View Windows.

Marius Ciortan, Chairman of the Thame Swimathon Steering group said: “Not only groups like Thame Swimming Club, Racquets Fitness Centre and Thame Fire Brigade will attend this year, but whole families as well. For example, Richard Weakley will swim with his four grandchildren and raise money for his favourite charity, Chinnor Village Centre.”

Richard himself said: “I am looking forward to spending some time with the grandchildren whilst raising money for a worthwhile cause.” Marius added: “Thame Swimathon is a great opportunity to fundraise for your favourite charity. The participants have got the option to allocate 50% of their team’s money raised towards the charity of their choice or 100% towards Rotary’s charities. The teams can create their own fundraising page on My Donate Portal under the Thame Swimathon 2016 page, and then share the link with family, friends, and colleagues asking them to donate online.”

Marius concluded: “Take on the challenge! To participate is easy as 1-2-3: Get a team of 4-6, download the Team Entry Form from www.thame.rotary1090.org and send it to thame.swimathon@btinternet.com. Then you will do your best to raise funds for charity, and finally you will Swim for one hour.”

All ages from 8+ are invited to enter. The Team Entry Form, Info Pack and Sponsorship Form are available on www.thame.rotary1090.org

Thame Rotarians will also be present at the Thame Leisure Centre with a Thame Swimathon information stand ready to provide team entry forms, info packs and answer any questions, on the mornings of January, 26-27, and February 2, 3, 9, 10 and 11, between 6 and 9 am.

START the New Year as you mean to go on and try a new activity at Thame Leisure Centre. The management there has teamed up with Sport Relief to promote free table tennis sessions, though any donations made will be given to Sport Relief, helping good causes in the UK and abroad.

“The taster session is all about having fun and socialising,” said Megan Horwood, the Community Sports Manager for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse’s Sport & Olympic Legacy Unit. “So don’t be worried if you’ve not moved for a while! If you’re interested in becoming more active and improving your health and wellbeing then this is the event for you.”

The session is on Monday, February 29, 10:15 – 12:15, and you can continue the challenge by taking part in the centre’s Better Club Games, a social sports competition taking place in May.

There will be more information coming up on weekly sessions and social competitions at Thame Leisure Centre that you can attend regularly throughout the year. For more information, e-mail Richard at thame@gll.org or call on 01844 215607.

If you would like to get started earlier, Table Tennis runs every Monday 10:15 – 12:15 and Wednesday 10:30 – 12:30 for just £1.85

All equipment is provided, please wear loose clothing and trainers.

HIGH flying Cambridge squeezed past basement team Chinnor, 26-19, on Saturday (09/01) in a match with an exciting finish.

The first half was a masterclass of Chinnor defence versus Cambridge attack, with the home team comfortably keeping the visitors at bay. The influence of new defence coach, Richard Thorpe, was most evident. A promising Chinnor attack almost led to the first score but Oscar Heath was pulled down inches from the line. It was not until the 35th minute that the deadlock was broken. A Cambridge meandering rolling maul from a penalty line out kick led to the first score of the match with Cambridge’s Reeves touching down to end the half with a Cambridge lead of 5-0.

The second half was a different affair altogether. Cambridge came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders. With a minute gone, Cambridge tapped a penalty and ran the ball easily to the line with Portsmouth touching down. Two minutes later, Cambridge increased their lead with a try from Meek. With both tries converted by Boshoff, Cambridge had a easy 19-0 lead. Chinnor came back quickly with a try from Manning after a break from the ruck by Goodfellow. The conversion from Hopkin closed the gap to 19-7. Cambridge however upped their pace and a sharp handling movement across the pitch saw Burbank touch down for the visitor’s bonus point try. Boshoff’s conversion increased the lead to 26-7 with 60 minutes played.

Chinnor, seemingly resigned to a defeat, then found a new lease of life attacking Cambridge relentlessly in the last 10 minutes.

New boy, Messum, reacted quickly to dot down a loose ball before anyone else could react. The conversion closed the gap to 26-14. A sharp inter passing move down the blind side of a scrum saw Chinnor’s third try, scored by Olley. In the last minute, striving for the draw, Chinnor’s Hopkin put a penalty kick five metres from the Cambridge line. The resultant rolling maul got close but the ball was lost and the final whistle sounded for a narrow Cambridge win by 26-19.

Cambridge are a well drilled side – particularly in the passing of their backs. They play a high tempo game and often create overlaps which only high class scramble defence from Chinnor prevented them exploiting. Sweeper defence from Chinnor’s Jones was particularly noteworthy. Chinnor, apart from a mad 10 minutes at the start of the second half, were equal to high flying Cambridge in all aspects of the game. The home defence was resolute and comfortable and the performance was possibly the best of the season so far. Lloret, in the backs, looks to have found his best position as a centre. The pack were impressive with the back row in great form. Manning was non-stop as ever, Waddingham tackled thunderously but No 8, Matt Bolwell, takes the laurels for his all-court game – played at pace throughout.

Teams

Chinnor
Oscar Heath, Marcus Beer, Jack Adams, Salva Lloret, George Blewitt, Bertie Hopkin, Frank Jones, Andy Berry, Jamie Townsend, Jay Tyack, Darren Oliver, Tom Burns, Ben Manning, Alex Waddingham, Matt Bolwell

Interchanges: Andy Darlington, Mark Darlington, George Messum, Greg Goodfellow, Jake Olley

Cambridge
James Stokes, Mike Ayrton, Albert Portsmouth, James Ayrton, Lawrence Hutchinson, Gerhard Boshoff, Stefan Liebenberg, Josh Waller, Jarrod Taylor, Matthew Worrall-Clare, George Bretag-Norris, Alex Moon, Matt Meek, Brett Daynes, Stephen Hipwell

Interchanges: Ean Griffiths, Ricky Reeves, Ollie Walker, Nico Defeo, George Furbank

Scorers

Chinnor
Tries (time): Manning (56), Messum (70), Olley (7)
Conversions (time): Hopkin (57, 70)

Cambridge
Tries (time): Reeves (35), Portsmouth (41), Meek (44), Burbank (59)
Conversions (time): Boshoff (42, 45, 60)

Referee: Phil Davies
Attendance: 213
Half time score: 0-5
Full time score: 19-26

SOURCE: Contributed

CHINNOR RFC were out to avenge a two-point defeat by Bury St Edmunds at the start of the season,  and began well on Saturday, with Bernie Hopkin kicking a penalty after ten minutes.

Chinnor forwards had to fight hard to maintain possession. This paid dividends when quick handling put Marcus Beer away to sprint to the corner to score Chinnor’s first try, well converted by Hopkins. Chinnor then faced a setback when skipper James Tyas had to leave the field with an injured shoulder. Bury St Edmunds rallied their efforts to get a penalty kicked by No 10, Lyle.

This prompted Chinnor into attack. Again the forwards provided qood possession for slick handling in the backs with missed moves in the centre passing to full back Oscar Heath. He carved his way through the Bury defence on two occasions and outpaced their cover to score two unconverted tries. Chinnor went in at half time with a 20 – 3 point lead.

Bury St Edmunds started the second half with more determination and soon put away winger Affleck to score a try converted by Lyle. Chinnor responded with what was thought to be a match-winning try which was disallowed due to Frank Jones obstructing one of the opposition preventing him from tackling. Jones was sin binned for 10 minutes in which time Bury St Edmunds scored another converted try to bring the score to 17 – 20.

Bury St Edmunds forwards began to dominate and their fly half kicked deep into Chinnor’s half to maintain pressure on Chinnor’s try line. Chinnor defended well until the last three minutes when the referee awarded Bury St Edmunds a penalty try for continued offences by Chinnor. Lyle converted to give Bury St Edmonds a 24 – 20 point victory. Yet another frustrating defeat for Chinnor which keeps them in the relegation zone.

SOURCE: By Doug Humphries

IN a dramatically oscillating 80 point match, Redingensians recorded their first ever win at Chinnor on Saturday (Dec 19) with a 41-39 victory.

The first half was even with both sides scoring three tries, with never more than two points separating the tries. Chinnor’s came from Townsend, Vandermolen and Heath. Redingensians scored through McDermottroe (2) and Foxley to go in 22-21 up at half time. Goodfellow will rue a sacrificed try in the 23rd minute that would have won Chinnor the match. After a series of rucks in the Rams 22, Goodfellow dummied to coast over under the sticks. Unfortunately, as he crossed the line unopposed at a walk, his hand caught the post protector and he dropped the ball.

Redingensians, playing a pacey game with great offloading throughout, piled on the pressure and tries came at regular intervals through Vooght, Stapley and Henderson. Chinnor’s solitary contribution came from a Manning try. With 74 minutes played, Redingensians led 41-31 with six tries in the bag and the match was coasting to an inevitable conclusion. Chinnor then squandered two chances and so, with time running out, opted to kick a penalty in an attempt to gain a losing bonus point. Hopkin’s success brought the score to 34-41 to the visitors. Determinedly, Chinnor then went into overdrive and scored another try in the 80th minute through Townsend. Hopkin’s conversion went wide but the referee ordered it taken again for early running from the visitors. Hopkin tried again but it shaved the wrong side of the post for a two point victory to Redingensians

This match, hugely entertaining for the large Christmas crowd, was frustrating for the home side who could never just catch the visitors, whose pacey, offloading game contributed much to the spectacle. But for a post protector, Chinnor may have been celebrating a happier Christmas.
Teams

Chinnor
Oscar Heath, Marcus Beer, Jack Adams, Junior Fatialofa, Jake Olley. Bertie Hopkin, Greg Goodfellow, Andy Berry, Jamie Townsend, Jay Tyack, Darren Oliver, Tom Burns, Ben Manning, James Tyas (c), Joe Vandermolen

Interchanges: Andy Darlington, Mike Owen, Andy Tibbatts, Frank Jones, Salva Lloret

Redingensians
Joe Duffelen, Olly Foxley, Steve Bryant, Dan Barnes (c), Sean McDermottroe, Luke Flower, Jack Hill, Matt Weller, Ben Henderson, James Baker, Ollie Taylor, Kacper Kruzycki, Samir Kharbouch, Tom Vooght, Robbie Stapley

Interchanges: Ollie Smith, Jake Knowles, James Smith, Andy Amor, George Drury

Scorers

Chinnor
Tries (time): Townsend (9, 80), Vandermolen (14), Heath (37, 52), Manning (74)
Conversions (time): Hopkin (10, 15, 39)
Penalty Goals (time): Hopkin (79)

Redingensians
Tries (time): McDermottroe (5, 19), Foxley (29), Vooght (43), Stapley (60), Henderson (66)
Conversions (time): Flower (20, 29, 44, 61)
Penalty Goals (time): Flower (11)

Referee: Luke Haskins
Attendance: 515
Half time score: 21-22
Full time score: 39-41

AS the year draws to a close, a fabulous squad of nine Thame Swimming Club swimmers dug deep and mustered every inch of their energy and competitive spirit to compete at the Winter Short Course Level Two Meet at Hillingdon over the weekend of December 19/20. What an amazing weekend it was too and a great way to end the gala season for 2015.

As ever, the squad was under the guidance of Ian Blyth who was thrilled with the performances, especially as every swimmer put 110% effort into each race resulting in strong PBs across the board.

Some notable mentions:

– Hallam Cozier for joining the sub-minute crew for 100 Free (and very almost going 58 seconds)!

– Ben Williams for the very first time going sub 30 seconds for his 50 Backstroke (Regional Consideration time tbc) and
sub 2 minutes for his 200 Free, earning a place in the Open Final.

– Josh Williams for achieving a Regional Accepted Time for his 50 Backstroke (tbc) and PB’ing twice in his 400 Free J

– Rory Pridmore for being awarded a Spot Prize for his 400 Free, being singled out by the host club’s coach for such a good
PB.

– Marcus Birmingham for achieving a Regional Consideration time (tbc) for his 200 Free.

So, well done to Marcus Birmingham, Harry Block, Hallam Cozier, Elizabeth Humphreys, James Newton, Rory Pridmore, Ella Simms, Ben Williams and Josh Williams for representing the Club at this gala (and to their parents for giving up the last weekend before Christmas too)!

Wishing you all very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

SOURCE: Contributed by Helen Williams

RACQUETS Fitness Centre in Thame witnessed some top, junior squash over the weekend (December 12-13) when young players from all over the country took part in the Racquets Junior Open squash tournament. This was a nationally ranked tournament sanctioned by England Squash – the governing body of squash in the UK.

This year five of Racquets’ home-bred juniors took part in the event, including Emily Coulcher-Porter in the Girls Under 11s, Luke Hayes in the Boys Under 11s, Oliver Coulcher-Porter in the Under 13s, Molly Woods in the Girls Under 15s and Nick Harbour in the Under 17s.

“We are very proud of every one of them,” said Coach, Sue Martin Downhill. “Oliver Coulcher-Porter played up an age group in the Under 13s, despite being still only nine years- old. This would have given him plenty of experience of playing against much stronger boys. He did very well to reach and win the final of the plate.

“Molly Woods competed well in the Under 15 Girls. The squad of girls who travel to tournaments are very strong, and having lost in the first round of the main event, Molly was happy to win the first round of the plate. In the Under 17s, Nick Harbour, a pupil at Lord Williams’s Upper School, played very well to reach the final but narrowly lost in a tight, five set game against Marcus Connor from Aylesbury Grammar School.

“Emily Coulcher-Porter, at only seven years-old, played in the Girls Under 11s. Although Emily is a very high standard of Under 9s player, the other girls in the tournament were much older and are ranked 10 and 17 in the country. Emily, who is ranked 27 in the country at Under 11, is very keen to compete and shows great strength of character when playing in these events.

“Luke Hayes, age 10 from Barley Hill Primary School, has only been playing for around three months. Playing in the Under 11s in his very first open tournament and only his second tournament ever, Luke won his first round. Although Luke couldn’t overcome the number one seed and eventual winner of the tournament, Felix Loeffen, in the second round Luke’s natural understanding of the game of squash and his ability to follow instructions from his coach meant that his little experience at the start of the event grew throughout his matches, to run out as the winner of the plate.

“We entered Luke into the tournament because of his calm approach to sport and felt that he would be able to cope with the pressure if the standard was too high,” explained Sue. “The experience he has gained from this tournament will stand him in very good stead if he decides to play more open events as, by the end of the tournament, his serves would have caused event winner Felix to struggle. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

For the future, Sue concluded: “Racquets is looking forward to having another four or five players in the tournament next year, as the academy is producing some strong players in all age groups who will be well up for competing next year.”

THE Thame Swimathon is coming back! Thame Rotarians are looking for teams of four to six to attend the fourth Thame Swimathon, which will take place at Thame Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 28, between 11am and 3pm.

Thame Swimathon is a fun and fundraising event organised by the Rotary Club of Thame. The event is made possible by the sponsors, Thame Leisure Centre, Park Street Dental Clinic, Abbotts Office Solutions, Vale Life Magazine, Haddenham Beer Festival, Booker Tate, Ignite Sports, and Silent View Windows, who between them covere most of the costs to run the event.

Those who want to take the Swimathon challenge can do so in three simple steps:

1. Form a team of 4-6, download a Team Entry Form from www.thame.rotary1090.org and send it to thame.swimathon@btinternet.com

2. Raise funds for a charity of your choice

3. Swim for one hour

All ages from eight years and upwards are invited to enter. The Team Entry Form, Info Pack and Sponsorship Form are available on www.thame.rotary1090.org

Participating teams will have the option to either allocate 50% of their team’s money raised towards the charity of their choice or 100% towards Rotary’s charities. The teams can create their own fundraising page on the My Donate Portal under the Thame Swimathon 2016 page, and then share the link with family, friends, and colleagues asking them to donate online.

For more information, visit: www.thame.rotary1090.org

Follow Thame Rotary on: www.facebook.com/thamerotary