Category: Sports News

LAST Fridays FA Cup draw confirmed Chinnor FC’s acceptance in the prestigious cup for the second time ever. The club played in the FA Cup back in the 2013/14 season for the first time, when they traveled to Camberley Town in the Extra Preliminary round only to be defeated.

This season has seen them drawn at home to Combined Counties Premier League side, Hartley Wintney FC – a side that were one win away from the First around proper last season.

“What a fantastic draw for us!” said assistant manager Craig Williams. “We missed out on qualification last season, and after equalling our highest ever finish we have been accepted this season. For a village team to play in such a world famous competition is fantastic. We come up against a team we know nothing about and for a home tie the draw has worked in all our favours.

“We know that an even bigger tie awaits us in the next round where we will come up against Southern League side, Banbury United. But we have our first hurdle to jump first.”

The tie will be played over the weekend of August 14 – 16.

Chinnor FC were also drawn away to Carterton FC of the Hellenic League Divison 1 East, in the FA Vase on Saturday, September 5.

THAME Firsts almost snatched another win against Long Marston last Saturday, having been on the brink of losing their unbeaten run at relegation candidates Long Marston. Thame won the toss and elected to bat, with debutant Adam Phippen scoring 36 but he was the only batsman to push on, after several made starts.

With the pitch playing quite low, Thame slowly climbed to 178 for 9 off their 53 overs, with some good knocks from the tail enders. In reply Lachlan and Higgs got early wickets but the runs came quickly for Long Marston, as they reached 82 for 4 off 19 overs. Just as it looked like Thame had pulled it back, Bastin and Bee both scored quickly to move Long Marston to 159 for 5 off 35 overs. They only needed 20 off the final 12 overs, which seemed an easy task, but overseas player Jarryd McPhee (4-27) and Hassam Mushtaq (3-49) had different ideas and Thame then reduced them to 168 for 9. This left Long Marston to bat out for a draw, although Thame had a few close shouts for LBW turned down.

In a game which always looked set for a result, Thame came away with a winning draw and remain top of the league at the mid-point of the season, heading to Oxford on Saturday 11th.

SECOND XI
Thame Seconds fell agonisingly short of a win at home to Cumnor Seconds, losing by just one run. Cumnor batted first and, despite the heat, Thame managed to pin them back and take all 10 wickets for just 156. The bowling was led by Ali Thomas (4 for 39) and Ian McStay (3 for 26), with strong support from Cian Davies (2 for 33) and James McStay (1 for 22).

In search of 157 to win, Thame lost early wickets but George Patey stood firm at one end for 27 valuable runs. The match was slowly slipping away until Ben Griffiths (33) and James McStay (16 n.o.) came together for an excellent last-wicket stand of 48 which so nearly pulled off the win.

THIRD XI
The Thirds had a comfortable 9 wicket win away against Chearsley, chasing 119, with 15 year-old Liam Earwicker scoring 75 not out.

PREMIER League match official Stuart Burt will be refereeing the pre-season game between Thame United and Chinnor at the ASM Stadium on July 14 (7:30pm kick off).

Burt, who has recently been in action in the European Qualifiers, the Championship Play Off final, and the FA Cup Semi-Finals, makes his visit to the ASM Stadium following a request from Thame United Assistant Manager, Stuart Blaik, whom he used to officiate in the Southern League. After the match, Stuart has kindly agreed to take part in an open forum question and answer session, to which all are welcome.

The match with Chinnor will be United’s first pre-season game as they look to build on last seasons fifth place finish in the Hellenic League Premier Division.  As ever, a competitive local derby is anticipated before, in another derby, Risborough Rangers of the South Midlands League visit the ASM Stadium on Friday 17 July (7:30pm kick off).

In the meantime, training continues every Tuesday and Thursday, starting at 7:00pm at Meadow View Park.

THAME Town Cricket Club’s first team moved further clear at the top of the  Cherwell League Division One on Saturday, after  beating Wolverton at Church Meadow.

Captain Mike Higgs won the toss and did not hesitate to bat on a beautiful day. Early wickets left Thame 82 for 4 with only Will Sutcliffe (31) making a real start, however steady contributions from the middle order took the home team up to 205 all out in their last over. Hassam Mushtaq top scored with 40, and N. Shahzad took 5-58 for the visitors.

In response, Wolverton started quickly, taking 46 from the first seven overs, but then the wickets began to fall, as Thame built up the pressure. Lachlan and McPhee picked up a wicket each, before the guile of spin twins Higgs (3-38) and Mushtaq (5-35) slowly picked away at the Wolverton team, who were never in the game. Thame got the last wicket when the score was 150 in the 32nd over, to leave the side unbeaten this season.

Thame travel to Long Marston on Saturday, July 4.

THAME’s Second XI, who play in Cherwell League Division Five, were less successful losing away at Long Marston where the home side scored 205 for 8 in their 53 overs. Chris Penny took 3 for 48 off 17, and Sam Nicholls 3 for 30, with 3 catches in the deep for Ben Warwick.

However fielding in the hot sun took its toll as when Thame batted they were 97 all out in 30.3 overs. Only Warwick, Luke McStay and Chris Penny reached double figures.

THE Third XI, who play in Cherwell League Division Nine, lost at home to O & B Nondescripts by 4 wickets, despite more runs for Ian Chapple.

HENRY Bell, from Thame Swimming Club, swam the Henley Classic Open Water Event yesterday, June 29, taking the Bronze medal in the Junior Category with a time of 31.58 minutes – a whopping seven minutes faster than his time last year.

The regatta course is 2.1 kilometres in length and because of the boats preparing for the races later in the week the race needed to be swum early. This meant Henry was up at 3am and in the water ready for the off at 4.45am.

A squad of other Thame Swimming Club members was in action last weekend at the Milton Keynes Swim Club End of Season Open Meet. Ian Blyth coached and encouraged the team the whole weekend, assisted by Lucy North with the swimmers putting in some impressive swims.

The gala hosted Grand Finals for the 100m Free, with Ella Simms and Laura Nobes qualifying for the girls and Harry Block and Hallam Cozier qualifying for the boys. Helen Williams, Thame Swimming Club’s Communication manager, was there. She said: “The finals created a great atmosphere with everyone cheering wildly … especially when Harry Block took home the first place!

“Massive personal bests were achieved by the following swimmers, all of whom should be congratulated.”

Hazel Randall:   400 Free (30 + seconds)
Oscar North:      200 Back (30+ seconds)
Kate Collins:      200 Breast (40+ seconds)
Elizabeth Humphreys: 400 IM (30+ seconds)
Sam White:       400 Free (40+ seconds)
Lucy Block:       200 Back (16+ seconds)

Helen added: “A big thank you also to Brian Pridmore, Paul Williams, Michele Block, Sherri Cozier and Angie Day who along with Ian Blyth gave up their Father’s Day to be poolside. Thanks also to Rachel Humphreys, Mark Simms and Wendy Randall for officiating on the Saturday too.”

Notable winners were Rory Pridmore who achieved medals in all three of his races and to Harry Block, Ella Simms and Elliot Riley-Brown who achieved medals in all but one of their races.

THAME’S children will have no excuse for being bored this summer, if trying a new, fun sport is just up their street. For Raquets Fitness Club in Thame is once again running its regular Squash Summer Camp.

The dates for Squash Summer Camp 2015 are AUGUST: Wednesdays 5th,12th,19th,26th and Fridays 7th,14th,21st. SEPTEMBER: Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd.

Full details of what Squash Summer Camp includes and how to register, visit Racquets’ website:

http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/squash-summer-camp/

THAME’S popular squash and fitness centre, Racquets, has proved once again that its racketball membership has great strength in all age groups.

Last weekend, June 14/15, saw Bryan Cummings triumph over Mike Clarke as the Over 65s Southern Area Racketball Champion 2015. Both players play at Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame. Bryan will go on to represent the Southern Area at the National Championships at Edgbaston Priory in Birmingham in July.

Racquets proudly hosted the event which saw players visiting from all over the Southern Area of the country.

Tournaments for all age groups

Will John, Racquets’ resident Pro and one of its coaches, took the Men’s Open, beating ex European Racketball Champion, Simon Martin in the final. After the final Simon said: “Will has a good racketball technique and will only improve with more games which is a daunting prospect.” Will’s sister, Beth John, also took the Ladies Open title.

The Over 35s, Over 45s and Over 55s were won by visiting players who all thoroughly enjoyed their tournaments. One of Racquets’ newest members, Kevin Young, who played in the Over 55s, said: “Just wanted to email to say I really enjoyed the tournament. Even though my scores were not great I do feel the fitness and passion have returned so it’s all now about practising more frequently and getting more games in.”

To help more players join in the Over 55s and Over 65s in future tournaments, Racquets holds a Racketball morning, known as ‘Silver Servers’, on Tuesdays from 10am, to provide coaching, guidance and the equipment for complete beginners. Why not pop over to Racquets and try it out next Tuesday?

Visit Racquets’ website for more information about the centre and what it has to offer:
http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/

THAME’S Mayor, Cllr Nichola Dixon was at Thame Town Cricket Club’s ground on Wednesday (June 17), to bowl the first ball at the first Crick-Fit session run by Thame Town Cricket Club for females of all ages.

Crick-Fit is part of a nationwide initiative to help boost involvement and awareness of women’s sport and participation in cricket. Thame’s Cricket Club is hosting one-hour sessions over the next eight weeks for females of all ages and abilities. The sessions will include cricket related circuits and fast-paced team games for everyone to get involved in.

The first session on Wednesday, was attended by 40 women of all ages. Future sessions will be taking place every Wednesday between 6.30pm – 7.30pm on the cricket ground at Church Meadow. To find out more or to sign up, contact Sheena Beard on sheenabeard@btinternet.com or call 01844 213695.

Read more: http://tiny.cc/tzjozx

DESPITE the news this week, that there has been a significant drop in the number of people participating in swimming as a sport, Thame Swimming club is thriving and three of its swimmers recently competed at the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association), South East Regional Championships.

Over the weekend of May 30/31, the three Thame Swimming Club swimmers competed at the ASA South East Region Championships in the 50m Olympic sized pool at Crawley, Sussex with Ian Blyth (far right) as their Head Coach.

Ben Williams (far left), Boys Club Captain, competed in three events – 50m Free, 100m Free and 200m Free and achieved personal best times in all
three races.

Marcus Birmingham (second from the right), Boys Vice Captain achieved a personal best in his 200m Free race.

Jo Hewett (second from the left), Masters, competed in six events overall, winning Silver medals in the 200 Free and 100 Breaststroke, and also
achieved a personal best for her 50m Free, in the Multi-Disability discipline.

For more information about Thame Swimming Club, visit the website: http://www.thameswimmingclub.co.uk/index.shtml

THAME Town Cricket Club’s First team maintained its great start to the season with a nail-biting, two-wicket win at Leighton Buzzard on Saturday, June 6. Thame’s opponents won the toss and elected to bat first, starting quickly and racing to 60 off 12 overs.

However, tight spells from Sam Lachlan and Mike Higgs put Thame back in control. At the halfway point, Buzzard were 90 for 2 and Phil Watmore’s 52 helped steer them to 194 for 9 off their 53 overs. Thame’s Hassam Mushtaq ended up with figures of 4-56. In reply, the in-form Will Sutcliffe smashed 60 off 40 balls to get Thame to 77 off 11 overs, for the loss of no wicket.

However, Buzzard’s veteran bowler, Lee Selfe, then took 5-45, leaving Thame precariously set on 120 for 6. Thanks to Honey Garg (35) and Jarryd McPhee (35 not out) Thame reached the victory with 9 balls to spare.

CUMNOR TOO SUCCUMB TO THAME

Lying second in the Cherwell League 1st division, Thame then went on to entertain Cumnor at Church Meadow last Saturday, June 13, where, after another thrilling 2-wicket victory, Thame Firsts remain unbeaten and now stand clear at the head of the table.

In a rain-reduced game, one of only two to be played in the 1st division, Thame elected to field in a 33/30 over game. Sam Lachlan and Jarryd McPhee put pressure on the Cumnor openers and when spin twins Hassam Mushtaq (3-26) and captain Mike Higgs (6-61) were introduced, Cumnor were soon in trouble, with the score at 60 for 6.

However, D. Warmer’s 57 not out steered Cumnor to what looked like a below-par 138 all out in 28 overs, giving Thame five, much-needed extra overs. In response, Thame made a shaky start, finding themselves 30 for 4, but the new-found belief and spirit amongst the camp meant the team wanted to gamble and win.

Gritty knocks from Matt Furness (26) and Sam Lachlan (26 not out) steered Thame to victory in the 34th over.

Thame travel to Great Brickhill next Saturday, June 20, for a top-of-the-table clash, with both sides currently unbeaten.

SOURCE: Contributed