Category: Sports News

RISING young squash player, Ben Hedger took his first Under 17s, Open tournament title last weekend on his home turf of Racquets Fitness Centre, in Thame.

A total of 60 players of high national rankings and aged 8 through to 16 came from all over the country to compete in one of the England Squash national ranking tournaments.

There were concerns before the tournament as Ben had been suffering from an injury that was stopping him from training and meant that he had to take a month off. He started playing again just three weeks before the tournament. Despite this, Ben played extremely well throughout the tournament, particularly having to dig deep in the semi-final against Wycliffe, England International, Nathan Mead, after being 2 games to 0 down.

The final was a very close fought game where Ben overcame Cameron Haddow from Suffolk in an exciting match, 3 games to 2. Ben’s coach, Simon Martin, said: “Ben really showed he has the talent to win Under 17 open tournaments and we hope he will take this win with him to the next one and make winning them standard practice. Ben plays for the Racquets men’s 1st team in the Oxfordshire leagues which provides plenty of tough match experience to ensure tournament wins in the future.”

Another one of Racquets’ juniors also did extremely well. Nick Harbour didn’t meet his local rival and Number One seed, Marcus Tranter in the final, as Marcus had been knocked out by Marcus Connor, from Aylesbury Grammar School. Marcus’s technique was excellent but Nick was too clever at the front with great touch and deception. Nick will now hope to move into the top 20 in the country in the Under 15 rankings as a result of this, his first Under 15 Junior Open tournament win.

Simon Martin, one of Nick’s coaches said: “Nick has shown great guts and determination in recent weeks as well as being immensely talented and a particularly polite lad. His parents were very proud, and both myself and Nick’s other coach, club Professional, Will John, have been very impressed with his improvement over the last six months maintaining a regular spot in the men’s teams playing in the Oxfordshire Inter-club league.”

The third Racquets’ players in the tournament this year was Ollie Coulcher-Porter. The Under 11s representation was extremely strong and despite losing the first round, Ollie went through to win the final of the plate.

Racquets coach, Sue Martin-Downhill, said: “Ben, Nick and Ollie are great ambassadors for squash and we are extremely proud of all of them. Their behaviour on court was impeccable; they helped run the tournament and marked games whenever asked. Winning the age groups was just the icing on the cake!

“We’d like to thank the sponsors of the tournament Technifibre and Meritus International Hotels for their prizes for the winners.”

Racquets is fast becoming a proving ground for great squash players, providing top class coaching here in Thame. Anyone interested in taking up a sport which is fun, but one that can also be taken up seriously, need look no further than just behind Thame’s famous Cattle Market in North Street.

YOUNG squash players from all over the country will be battling for National Junior ranking points this weekend (January 31/Feb 1) when Racquets, Thame, hosts the Racquets Junior Open tournament – an England Squash sanctioned event for juniors aged from 9 to 16 years-old.

Racquets’ Squash Academy coach, Sue Martin Downhill, said: “This weekend Racquets junior, Ollie Coulcher-Porter, age 9, and Nationally ranked 99 in the Under 11s, will compete in the Mixed Under 11s against girls and boys who are likely to have been playing since they were 4 or 5 years of age and have a year or two of experience in national ranking tournaments. We are sure that he will do himself and Thame proud.

“In the Under 15s Nick Harbour (UK #46) will be looking to take the top spot as he is seeded Number 2. His matches against his arch nemesis, Marcus Tranter (UK #25), have been close recently with the results going either way. This weekend will be quite a showdown.

“Ben Hedger (UK #63) is seeded 3/4 in the Under 17s. Ben is playing well again after a recent injury and will be hoping that it won’t recur under the strain. He has the capacity to do very well but he will meet the Number One in the semi-final, Todd Bennett, who is ranked #34 in the National Under 17s rankings – a full 29 places above him.

“We wish all our players the best of luck,” said Sue, “and if anyone would like to come down and watch, the rounds will be played throughout Saturday from 10am. Some of the finals will be on Saturday evening from around 5pm and on Sunday.”

A valiant effort from the Thame Hockey Club’s third men’s team on Saturday, but fates seemed to be against then from the start, when the traffic gods decreed that Tim would be stuck in traffic, meaning that they had to play for the first 15 minutes without a keeper.

Richard Creswell donned the bib of gullibility and stood in as keeper, only conceding one when the Oxford number 10 burst through and one-on- one smashed a shot at the helpless yellow-bibbed fool in the goal, the back looping off said fool’s stick, over his head and plopping unsatisfactorily over the goal line.

Once Tim arrived, the thirds started playing some nice hockey, but missing several key players to the first and the second teams, inexperience was evident. The arch goal poacher, Harvey Allen, nicked an equaliser after a fine build up of play from Dan Gibney and Ben Caiger. But a penalty corner was conceded after a crunching tackle by the sweeper led to Oxford retaking the lead just before half time.

After a pep talk, the thirds came out all guns blazing, playing the better hockey in the second half. Oxford’s keeper made several memorable saves to keep the thirds out, but it was Oxford who scored two further goals against the run of play to knock the stuffing out of the youthful thirds.

Tom Creswell, the new team captain, showed superb grit and determination to force home a shot after an excellen run down the right wing to make the scoreline a little more respectable. But experience won out overall, and Oxford deserved the win,.  2 – 4

Man of the match – Tom Creswell

Special mentions to Dan Bottomley, playing as right back and having a superb game; Lewis ‘the wasp’ Hall, whose attitude and effort was outstanding and tim roberts, who made some incredible saves, most notably one with his neck!!!

SOURCE: Contributedf

THAME travelled to Bracknell this weekend with their lowest attendance of the season, managing to field just nine players against a Bracknell squad of 14!

Despite their numerical disadvantage, playing a tight 2-3-2-1 formation paid dividends for the travelling rabble, and Thame could easily have taken the lead when a vicious strike from Cameron Skea forced a fine save from the Bracknell Terriers’ keeper. As the match wore on however, Bracknell’s numerical advantage began to tell and the away side were forced to defend a sucession of short corners.

Mid way into the half, one such short corner yielded the first goal of the game, with a deflection leaving John Gott helpless as the ball ballooned into the net. Thame kept their heads up and kept pressing all over the pitch, but the deficit was doubled when some soft play on the edge of the ‘D’ allowed a Bracknell player to dribble towards the goaline before finding a team mate to slot home.

Thame went into the half time break having produced some encouraging hockey considering their numbers and were ready to work hard in the second half to push for a goal and put some pressure on the home team. Thame started the half as the brighter side with Isaac Laws and Alex Chuch both working tirelessly to create chances high up the pitch. The half continued in a similar fashion with Thame winning short corners and enjoying sustained periods in the final third. The best chance of the day fell to Isaac Laws who somehow managed to miss from a goal line rebound as the ball drifted painfully wide. The miss was not enough to deny Isaac a well deserved Man of the Match performance as he showed skill, speed and composure in possession throughout.

David Mordant also selflessly nominated himself for D.O.D. honours despite protestations that his stick and advice by his goalkeeper were to blame for him passing the ball straight to an opposition striker late in the game to allow a 3-0 result to Bracknell.

Thame go into next week needing a full squad and a better showing in their next outing, against Maidenhead.

Man of the Match: Isaac Laws
D.O.D: David Mordant
League position: 10th
Next match: H vs Maidenhead Monarchs

ANOTHER sterling performance by Thame Hockey Ladies third team saw them beat Bicester Ladies fourth team by 4 goals to nil on Saturday, January 24.

Right from the off, Thame put Bicester under strong pressure and kept the play firmly in the Bicester half. With the forward line constantly pushing forward, two goals were scored in quick succession by quietly determined, but deadly in the D, Danielle.

One further goal was scored by centre forward Clare Seed during the first half .

Excellent defensive work by the halves, particularly Hattie at LH and Gee at RH meant that Bicester struggled to get the ball past the half way line, and never looked liked scoring during this period. Thame also had a number of short corners that they were unlucky not to convert.

The second half saw Thame’s play disrupted by a couple of nasty injuries to the forwards, and this led to a reshuffle of positions. Particular praise must go to Laura, who played admirably throughout the game variously at left back, left inner, right wing, and a short stint at Centre forward.

Thame managed to gain their final goal via a lovely pass from Gaynor, into the top of the D, where it was struck home by the ever- reliable Clare Seed.

The final quarter of the game saw Thame put under slightly more pressure by Bicester, with them having one serious run on goal. A superb clearance by Rachel Staines- Moore, playing in an unaccustomed position of left back, meant that Bicester were unable to score. Very well done to standin Emily, who admirably gave up a position as forward to be our goalie for the day. Although she was never seriously challenged by Bicester, we knew our goal was in safe hands!

Man of the Match was awarded to Gee, who had to contend with Bicester’s best player on the field, a very speedy left wing. Gee did a superb job of keeping up with her opponent, as well as driving the ball forward to support the forwards.

A fantastic result ladies that we should be very pleased with- lets keep the momentum going!!

Report by Julie Tatum

A beautiful sunny day greeted the Thame Ladies 1st team at the Marlow Sports Ground on Saturday, January 24. 

The match was a fast-paced game, with both Marlow Ladies and Thame Ladies on very good form. Marlow took control quickly, driving towards the Thame goal, forcing our keeper, Len Coplesten to save a goal within the first five minutes of play. The Thame defence were forced to work hard, as they were put under pressure regularly throughout the match. Man of the Match Sarah Sawrey-Cookson, played an excellent strong and solid match in the defensive line-up.

Clare “Chopper” Harris  and Vikki Dawson made some excellent runs, using their speed to break through the Marlow defence. But within the first 12 minutes of play Marlow Ladies 2’s had already secured their second short corner, which they converted, to go 1-0 up. A third short corner was converted putting the score to 2-0. And a third goal came in quick succession after that.

Chopper Harris and lizzie greenwood-hughes made another strong drive towards the opposition’s goal, both taking a strike on goal which sadly were saved. Thame secured a short corner, but were unable to convert it. Lizzie G-H made an impressive strike on goal but the keeper managed to get a hand on it, keeping the score at 3 – 0 at Half-time.

Visit Thame Hockey Club’s website to read the rest of Lizzie Atkins’ report

THAME United responded in style on Saturday (24/01) to the end of their winning streak last week, with a confident and comfortable victory against Wootton Bassett Town at the ASM Stadium.

Manager Mark West made a number of changes to the side beaten last week, with Jon Coverley, Alex Kedzierski and Connor McDonagh all coming in to the side. And despite the changes it was the visitors who started the brightest, albeit the first clear chance fell to United on five minutes when good inter-play between Ben Gray and Dan West saw McDonagh through, only for his effort on goal to go narrowly wide from an acute angle. However, United only had to wait another three minutes to take the lead. West, on the halfway line, hooked the ball over his shoulder, putting McDonagh through on goal who held off the retreating defender to confidently beat the keeper and score his first ever goal for United.

Opportunities then came and went for West and Matt Hall, before the lead was extended on 17 minutes. Ben Gray crossed from the right and McDonagh smashed a first time half volley in to the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance. The visitors then created their first chance, with Matt Tapping doing well to hold on to a close range volley, before the lead was extended further on 33 minutes. Left-back, Matt Hall, hit a long cross in to the box that Ben Gray, getting across the front of his marker, headed confidently beyond the keeper. At 3-0 United were looking comfortable but Wootton Basset Town nearly scored just before halt time when a strike came back off the post, with Tapping able to gather the rebound.

It was game over three minutes in to the second half, with McDonagh completing his hat-trick with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box that curled beyond the keeper. United pushed for more, and another McDonagh effort was saved by the keeper before Ben Gray went close on 61 minutes, shortly after which the visitors hit the woodwork for the second time. For the remainder of the game, however, there was little action until the final minutes when Ellis Hercules was penalised for a challenge in the box and Steve Yeardley stepped up to secure a late consolation.
The win pushes United back up to third in the table, before a trip to Reading Town next weekend.

United:
Tapping, Coverley, Hall, Mulholland, Hercules, Kedzierski (Lynch), Gray (Jesson), Morris, McDonagh (Hodgkins), West, Ricketts.

MATCH REPORT: Thame Cyclones v Saints 14-1-15 – After a slow and shaky start ending the first quarter 10-2 Thame soon settled and were able to pull it back together resulting in a near draw by half time. The final few quarters where extremely close with a great work rate shown up and down the court resulting in an extremely tense final quarter, goals being scored end to end with Thame briefly able to snatch the lead before being brought back to a draw. There was some great play shown by both defence and attack with both teams evenly matched, however despite Thames impressive performance Saints were able to shoot a final ending goal in the closing seconds, stealing the lead and securing a narrow win at 29-28

Thame Tornadoes V All Blacks ADNL Div 3 – Match Report 14/01/15

AFTER Shelley’s ’12 Minute Fit’ on Friday’s training session, Tornadoes returned to the court having not quite recovered and still with aching bones. Nevertheless, the team were focused on a 30 goal difference from All Blacks who, like Thame, had appeared to have eaten one too many mince pies over the Christmas break.

The first quarter was a very close start to the match. Despite Sheena and Kirsty’s rapid rebounds and Nic’s fast passing down the court, the quarter ended with Tornadoes just one goal ahead of All Blacks. The second quarter saw excellent passing around the circle from Lisa and Susie, allowing Heather and Hayley to continue flinging the ball into the net, regardless of being ‘sandwiched’ between the GK and GD. Unfortunately, All Blacks took the lead with just one goal ahead of Tornadoes, making the match even more tense for both the players and supporters. Tornadoes saw GS Helen take to the floor (literally) in the third quarter. Her slow motion move to retrieve the ball as it rolled out of court had the team in fits of laughter… only to find out that Sheena saw she was ‘miles away from the ball’ and was never really going to make it! The entertainment that Tornadoes carried throughout the third quarter seemed to distract All Blacks as Tornadoes again took the lead. The final quarter saw ‘Sheena’s plan’ overpower the original 30 goal lead Tornadoes had set themselves. Susie’s high jumping on court stole the show once again as she and Nic worked together to form fantastic interceptions that brought the ball back to the attackers. Karen’s outstanding passing into the shooters overwhelmed All Blacks as they lost focus and Tornadoes stormed ahead in the last five minutes of the match, making the final score 37-31, another great win for Thame Tornadoes.

Player of the Match: Hayley

Tornadoes team: Heather, Hayley, Helen, Karen, Nic, Lisa, Sheena, Susie, Kirsty

SOURCE: Contributed

IN a ‘nip and tuck’ match throughout, Chinnor managed to squeeze past Lydney by 22-17, on Saturday (17/01).

 Lydney opened the scoring on seven minutes when skipper Chris Holder scored a try in the corner. Chinnor then began to dominate territory. A long series of rucks and mauls ended in a try for full back Jake Olley, who shortly afterwards was sinbinned for interfering illegally at a breakdown.

Lydney came back strongly and, after a period of long possession in the Chinnor 22, scored their second try wide out through prop Eamon Rees. On 30 minutes, Chinnor capitalised from a Lydney indiscretion with a try from a rolling maul, Alfie To’oala dotting down. Both sides went in even at half time, 10-10.

Chinnor started the second half brightly when, after a series of possessions right from the kick off, Ben Manning went over for a try wide out on 43 minutes. Keohane added the extras to put the home side 17-10 ahead with 44 minutes played. Lydney came back into the match when Mike Wallis scored from a rolling maul. Wicks’ conversion again tied the match, now 17-17. On the 69th minute, Chinnor’s Piggott , just on from the bench, finished off a period of sustained Chinnor pressure by scoring the Chinnor bonus point try to put the home side ahead 22-17. Lydney then strove to come back into the match but desperate defence in their 22 for the last five minutes saw Chinnor hold on for a 22-17 victory.

Teams
Chinnor: Jake Olley, Jaryd Robinson, Ed Keohane, Junior Fatialofa, Reuben Haile, Sam Angell, Frank Jones, Guido Cambareri, Dean Brooker, David Coutts, Ben Manning, Andy Tibbatts, Matthew Bolwell, Ryan Long, Alfie To’oala (c)
Interchanges: Ricardo Cano, Joe Pickett, Loti Molitika, Martin Nutt, Robbie Martey

Lydney: Eamon Rees, Josh Hannam, Josh Innes, Brad Barnes, Chris Holder (c), Tony Wicks, Jack O’Connell, Zen Szwagrzak, Chris Farrell, Adam Ledner, Charlie Danniel, Dave Bennett, Matt Boobyer, Harry Brown, Chris Rovery
Interchanges: Josh Perks, Tim Longton, Duncan Bell, John Rodgers, Mike Wallis

Scorers
Chinnor
Tries (time): Olley (14), To’oala (30), Manning (43), Pickett (69)
Conversions (time): Keohane (44)
Penalty Goals (time):
Drop goals (time):

Lydney
Tries: (time) Holder (5), Rees (24), Wallis (56)
Conversions: (time) Wicks (57)
Penalty Goals (time):
Drop goals (time):

Referee: Calum Howard
Attendance: 321
Half time score: 10-10
Full time score: 17-10

THE game of Squash is certainly taking off among youngsters in Thame, thanks to the encouragement and training so many of Thame’s primary school children are getting at Racquets, in Thame.

On Saturday, January 17, 26 youngsters descended on Racquets Fitness Centre, for the club’s latest junior tournament. 

Racquets Academy Coach and former World ranked Pro, Sue Martin Downhill, said:  “In the December tournament there was a beginners grade which needed a development ball and two serves to get a game going. This time, some of the same children, plus others, were playing the real game of squash with the double yellow dot black ball – and only one serve! Their games have improved so much in just the last month.

“Keen Fionn Leaney and his friend Ollie Hucklebridge from Cuddington and Dinton CE School,  took the first and second prizes respectively. In a round robin format with a totalling up of points from each game, the tenacity of making each point in each game count meant that Ollie came through second over Matthew Harper, of Barley Hill Primary School, who had actually  won more matches. It was a fantastically competitive grade.”

In the top grade there were five players – all looking forward to a great future in the sport. Ollie Ralphs, Lord Williams’s School, competed well against the winner of this grade in the December tournament, a guest from Henley, Luca Babb. Going up two games to love, Ollie made the standard mistake of relaxing and finding himself two – all.  Fortunately for Ollie, support from the balcony from his Racquets peers kept his spirits up and Ollie fought hard to take the fifth; not bad for a player who only started playing in September of last year.

Sue continued: “Ollie was the first junior to take up a Racquets Academy position and has brilliantly shown how dedication to playing four times a week and having support and regular coaching can produce amazing sports results.

“In the middle grade, we were able to play a full 16 draw, knockout tournament. So many of the matches were closely fought. All with a great friendly, competitive nature.

“Previous one-day tournament winner, Adam Benke (LWS), was knocked out in the semi-finals by the most recent Racquets Academy junior, Olliver Dudley-Heidkamp (LWS). This was an unexpected win as Ollie has not been playing for as long as many of the other players and has only in the past three weeks started committing to four times a week. 

“This tournament really showed how a little bit more commitment to any sport can reap rewards within a short time, especially in junior sport. We are hoping to grow the Academy over the next few months so we are looking for juniors who have a dedication to sport regardless of their current standard or age. One of our Academy kids began without being able to hit the ball and now, with amazing perseverance, can play a commendable game of squash and is improving every week.

“It is such a pleasure to coach and mentor these kids.”

Anyone who would like more information about the Racquets Squash Academy, or would like to speak to Sue, can contact her via: http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/contact-us/