Category: Sports News

CHINNOR RFC are back in Thame on Saturday, bidding to make it three games unbeaten in National League 1.

The Oxfordshire side have come through relatively similar tests against Canterbury and Rosslyn Park in the last fortnight, while the recent wet weather has led to ideal conditions for the forwards.

Chinnor sit fifth in the table and director of rugby, Matt Williams is backing his side to continue their recent run of results and stay in touch with the frontrunners. He said: “Sale will bring a big set-piece. They’ve got a very good scrum and line-out – heavy boys – not too dissimilar in structure to ourselves.
It will be another very physical battle, with 16 big guys going at each other and, depending on the weather, it could be another front forward battle.

“But I think we’re well prepared. Confidence in the camp is high. And as I said last week, it’s all about building momentum for us now; we’re back at Kingsey Road and it’s important we get the win.”

Chinnor are boosted by the return of scrum-half, Callum Watson, who has been sidelined for ten weeks with a groin problem, while lock, Ben Thomas, is suspended. Ehize Ehizode and Cameron Gray are set to continue in the second row and Williams was full of praise for the duo. He said: “They were great last week, I was really pleased with them. Ehize has been out for a long time; he missed all of pre-season, and he started to fight his way back to fitness through September. I think each week that he is playing now is another big step in the right direction for him.

“Cam Gray had to wait quite a while through September for his time and he’s taken his chance. I thought it was a very well-balanced second row pairing against Rosslyn and I’m excited to see them go and do it again.”

SOURCE: Jack Johnson

WELL, you’ve come to the right place! Raquets in Thame have three, 100up tournaments this Saturday coming, October 12, suitable for all ages:

Juniors – from beginners to elite 12noon to 2pm
Adults D/E grade – 2pm to 4pm
Adults A/B grade – 4pm to 6pm
C graders can choose (D/E or A/B depending on who else has entered!)

It’s World Squash Day – October 12, 2019

Watch the US Squash Open final at Racquets Fitness Centre, North Street, Thame (behind the Cattlemarket) on the day.

For more details and to book, go to http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/racquets-world-squash-day-2019/

So what is a ‘100up tournement’?

A 100up tournament is two hours of everyone playing everyone else for short matches. Everyone keeps their previous score thoughout the two hours. It’s fun. It’s a lot of exercise. Just two hours. Meet and play lots of different people.

PLUS

Do you have an old wooden or aluminium squash racket in your loft ? Take in your old squash racket on World Squash Day Saturday, October 12, 2019, to Racquets, and they’ll swap it for one of the following:

£25 off our 5 week ‘learn to play squash’ membership. Usually £75.
So just £50 for 5 week platinum membership including a group squash coaching session each week.

Or

£20 off a new squash racket

Or

A half price individual coaching session

THAME Town Cricket Club’s T20 team, comprised of a blend of 1st and 2nd XI players, emphatically defeated rivals Oxford by 111 runs in the final of the Wilf Bennett T20 competition, at the Wormsley estate last Saturday (14/09), to round off a hugely-successful season.

Batting first, man-of-the-match Cal Russell anchored the innings with 72, allowing Tom Bamford (33) and Hassam Mushtaq (34) to force the pace and bring up an impressive total of 173-6.

 

Oxford never looked like matching Thame’s total once big-hitting Mohammad Ayub was caught on the boundary. Faisal Ali (4-32) was again the main wicket-taker, supported well by Mike Higgs (2-17) and Dan Patey (2-8). During the interval at Wormsley, some of Thame’s young All Stars (5 to 8 years old) took part in a skills session organised by Oxfordshire Cricket.

On the same day at Church Meadow, the club played a friendly against Hetairoi. Thame batted first but could only muster 139 all out, with Guy Holmes (62) the backbone of the innings. Hetairoi reached their target with just two wickets to spare.

On Sunday (15/09), Thame’s women played their penultimate league match against Cookham Dean at Church Meadow. Thame posted a respectable 153-5 from 30 overs thanks to an outstanding 88* from Sarah Sanderson, but the strong visiting side chased down the total for the loss of only three wickets.

The season concludes next weekend with two matches at home, at Church Meadow:- a Women’s league match on Saturday (1pm) vs Henley and a friendly men’s match on Sunday (1pm) against Northfields CC, from Ealing.

Valiant effort in defeat by Thame’s cricketing women – WITH The Meadows at its most perfect on a beautiful late summer afternoon, Thame’s women played their return league fixture against Oxford seconds on Sunday.

Thame fielded first, but in spite of some good bowling all round and wickets from Mel White (1-28), Megs Woodward (2-30), Leanne Harris (1-43) and 2 run outs (Sarah Sanderson and Woodward), Oxford reached an impressive target of 214-6, their 13 year old making the highest score of the match at 56 not out.
After a strong performance, Thame’s bowlers were afflicted by an attack of wides towards the end of the innings helping boost Oxford’s tally. However there was nothing wobbly about Thame’s delicious tea, provided by Lina Budde-Manning and her mum, and much applauded all round! Refreshed by lemon drizzle cake, in reply, Thame made 143-8 off their 30 overs, top scorer Woodward with 37 runs and a solid performance by Claire Morris 26 not out.

Whilst disappointed not to have repeated their impressive batting against the Barbarians two weeks previously, Thame’s women nevertheless improved on their first meeting with Oxford earlier in the season by 40 runs.

The women’s team still have two league games left to close out the season – hosting Cookham Dean next Sunday, September 16.

How did the men fare ?

PROMOTION winning Thame Town CC 1st XI faced Amersham at home on the final day of the season on Saturday, September 7 . 

Needing just three points to be confirmed as champions, Hassam Mushtaq (3-52) trapped Bruce Friderichs lbw to take Amersham’s 5th wicket and secure the Championship. Earlier, Chris Jeffcock had produced a masterful display of swing bowling, bowling 10 overs with the new ball on his way to 2-21. He was well supported by club legend Mike Higgs, who continued his fine form from last weeks win against Harefield with 2-29. Some fine hitting from Amersham overseas Maduka (63) saw his side reach a very competitive 201.

With Amersham needing a win to guarantee safety, Thame set nerves jangling with a strong 68 run opening partnership between Mike Beard and Ollie Burland. Burland’s dismissal for 33 saw the start of a tumble of wickets however, despite the run rate remaining very achievable. When Beard fell for 68, the end was nigh and Thame ultimately were dismissed for 172.

Despite defeat, Thame secure an immediate return to the top flight, this time as champions.

Impressive win closes 2nd XI season

THE 2nd XI headed over to play 4th placed East Oxford. Winning the toss on a green grassy wicket, allowed Thame to make early inroads into East Oxford’s batting, with Jonathan Jelfs’ (4-33) aggressive bowling claiming the ‘top four’ in his first four overs, putting Thame on the front foot. Supported by excellent catching, Fahad Majeed (4-22) and Luke Hayes (2-19), then completed the rout, bowling out East Oxford for 96 in 24 overs.

Chasing down the target, Harry Thomas and George Patey got Thame off to a good start, putting on 38 for the first wicket, before Matt Furness and Rafe Dickie finished off the innings in quick time, and a 3.10pm finish.

In their first season in Division Three, Thame Town seconds secured fifth place, after this resounding win.

Thirds take Division Eight title despite the end of along winning-streak

DIVISION 8 winners, Thame thirds entertained second-placed Buckingham fourths last Saturday. Having won the toss, Thame decided to bowl first and once again Nick Humphries (3-29) and Pete Tervet (1-22) combined well to restrict the scoring. However, a late charge with strong hitting from the middle order meant that Buckingham reached a very competitive 188-8 off 45 overs.

After a lovely Avery family tea, Thame resumed to attempt the run chase. Guy Holmes (68) led from the front, but two suicidal run-outs came at critical times, with Justin Avery well set on 21, so that Thame fell short by 28 runs and were all out for 160. In the end, Buckingham fourths were desperate for the win, which brought them promotion and they duly join Thame in Division Seven next season.

Despite this reverse, after 11 straight wins on the bounce, Thame thirds move up to Division Seven in a really positive frame of mind.

Fourths a respectable seventh-place in Cherwell Division Nine

THE final day of the season saw thame fourths make the trip to Dinton. Having lost the toss Thame were elected to bat first on a sodden wicket. The poor wicket proved tricky for the top order Thame bats with the exception of Andy Johnston making a quick fire 22.

Thame, however were in trouble losing five wickets before Rob Kenny (34*), Shay Reading (15) and Pete Higson (22) took the score to a respectful 152-8 off the allotted 45 overs.

In reply, Thame struck early with three quick wickets between Chris Penny and Trevor Spindler before the improving wicket came to Dinton’s aid. Dinton’s middle order dug in to secure vital runs in the run chase and eventually overhauling Thames total in the 41st over. Gallant effort from the bowling attack of Penny (3-25 off 9) and Spindler (2-19 off 10).

Great effort once again from the fourths who secured seventh place in their inaugural season in Division Nine, after an unexpected promotion in a league reshuffle.

OXFORDSHIRE brought their season to an end in the Unicorn Minor Counties Championship on Tuesday, September 3, with a narrow, three-wicket defeat at the hands of an impressive Cheshire side, on a good batting track at Church Meadow, Thame.

The highlights of the game were two centuries in Cheshire’s first innings of 338 on Sunday (R. Sehmi 145, S.Perry 103), a century for Thame’s very own Ollie Burland (133), which formed the backbone of Oxfordshire’s second innings, and the hostile pace bowling from Cheshire’s Michael Finan (6 wickets in the match) and 7 wickets for Gareth Andrew on the home side.

 

This was the first time that Thame Town Cricket Club had played host to Oxfordshire for over 20 years. There was a substantial crowd at Church Meadow on Sunday, including visitors from as far afield as Kent and Surrey and the club’s ground, clubhouse and facilities came in for universal praise over the course of the three days.

TTCC spokesman, Andy Jinman said: “Congratulations to Ollie Burland and Cal Russell (not forgetting 12th man Dan Patey of course) for their contribution to an Oxfordshire recovery that came so close to rescuing the result.

“Thame Town CC would like to thank all the people of the town and the surrounding area who came out to support, to the volunteers who helped stage the match and finally to Hamnett Hayward for their help with the publicity. We hope to be able to welcome back the Oxfordshire team to our club next season!

SOURCE: Contribution by Thame Town Cricket Club

THIS year’s Oxfordshire Sports Awards will take place on Friday, November 15, at the MINI Plant in Oxford. The event will bring together guests and shortlisted nominees from across the county for an evening of celebration. Guests will also be treated to a presentation from special guest Mark England OBE, the Chef de Mission for Team GB at the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Nominations are now open across 12 categories covering elite level sport to community sessions that help people get active. The award categories are: Sportsman, Sportswoman, Junior sportsman (under 18), Junior sportswoman (under 18), Adult team of the year, Junior team of the year (under 18), Active school of the year, Unsung Hero, Disability Sport Award, Community coach, Active Award and Community club of the year.

Nominations close on Friday, September 20.

For more information and to register your nomination, click HERE

THAME First XI hosted a struggling Dinton side, this past Saturday, August 24, at Church Meadow. Batting first, Thame openers Mike Beard (53) and Ollie Burland (38) got their side off to another excellent start.

Callum Russell (51) and Tom Bamford (35) kept the pressure on Dinton, but a disappointing display from the middle order saw Thame not capitalise fully on a fine platform, being bowled out in 43 overs for 247.

The Dinton reply never really got going, with Jo Van Dyk striking in the first over. Hassam Mushtaq was the destroyer in chief, taking 4-23, as Dinton were rolled for just 127. Thame now sit top of the Home Counties Premier Division 2.

Thame travel to third placed Harefield next weekend, with a win guaranteeing promotion to the top flight.

For a full round-up of the rest of Thame Town Cricket Club’s matches last weekend, visit: http://www.thamecricket.org.uk/weekly-roundup-week16-2019/

FOR the first time in over 20 years, an Oxfordshire County Cricket match will be hosted at Thame Town Cricket Club.

Oxfordshire 1st XI Men’s team will be playing a three-day match against Cheshire, from Sunday, September 1, to Tuesday, September 3. Play will commence at 10:30am each day, with a lunch interval from 12:50pm-1:30pm and a tea interval from 3:50pm – 4:10pm.

Oxfordshire compete in the Western Division of the Minor Counties Cricket Unicorns Championship along with Berkshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Shropshire, Cornwall, Devon, Herefordshire, Cheshire and Wales. They are currently second in this division and aiming for the top spot, to play in a final against the winner of the Eastern Division on September 15. The winner of the final will become Minor County Champion 2019.

Thame specially selected

Thame Town CC was selected by Oxfordshire Cricket Board to host the match following the development of their new pavilion and continued improvements to the playing surface at Church Meadow, located in the centre of the town, next to the 13th century, Grade 1-listed, St Mary’s Church. Thame Town CC have players in the Oxfordshire squad hoping to make the team and play at their home ground.

Matt Swain, Chair of TTCC said: “We are delighted to host this Oxfordshire County match for the first time in over 20 years. During the last five years we have invested a huge amount of time and effort to improve our facilities to a level at which Minor County cricket can be played, and we look forward to welcoming both teams to the club.

Everyone from Thame is invited!

We would like to invite everyone from Thame and the surrounding villages to come and support their County Cricket team and enjoy a drink at “one of Britain’s loveliest Cricket venues” (as reported by The Cricketer magazine, February 2019) The club – and most importantly the bar – will be open to everyone throughout the three-day match, and on the Sunday we will be having a two-course lunch event on the first floor of the new pavilion.  To book a seat for lunch please contact chairman@thamecricket.org.uk as there is limited space available”

Growing membership

Thame Town Cricket Club has over 280 playing members, including 180 juniors from ages 5 to 15. We have five adult teams that compete in the Home Counties Men’s and Women’s leagues, plus the Cherwell Cricket league. The club is a voluntary organisation which has England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) accreditation and 22 ECB-qualified, volunteer coaches. The club is always keen to welcome new volunteers and if you would like to help please contact enquiries@thamecricket.org.uk

LINK HERE for a roundup of Thame Cricket Club’s latest Big Weekend of Wins!