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Category: Sports News

  • No-score draw for Thame with just one match to go

    NEITHER Thame United nor Wootton Bassett Town were able to score when the teams met in an uninspiring game at the ASM Stadium last Saturday (05/04), in Thame’s penultimate home league game of the season. Thame’s opponents came into the game a few league places below United and, true to form; the home side had more possession but were unable to convert chances into goals.

    thame_united_logoAfter a few minutes play Thame’s best chance of the half fell to Niall Hodgkins who received the ball with his back to goal near the penalty spot, turned had hit a strong low shot which was inches wide. Hodgkins had another half chance after 25 minutes when he met a Marcus Mealing free kick with a header which was just over the crossbar. The teams went in for the break with Thame having played 60% of the game in their opponent’s half, but with neither goalkeeper really tested.

    Within minutes of the restart Luke Ricketts met a long goal kick with a lob over the keepers head but unfortunately it was also over the crossbar. The game ebbed and flowed but defences dominated until, with about 20 minutes remaining, Lee Farrow was forced to make an outstanding save from a strong low shot from the edge of the box. Minutes later the visiting keeper made a good close range save from Ricketts. In the last 5 minutes Alex Kedzierski forced another good save from the visiting keeper. The corner count was 9 to United and 3 to the visitors, whilst Wootton Basset had 4 men booked to Thame’s 1.

    Thame United: Farrow, P Pykett (I Pykett), Hall, Hercules, Rhodes, Kedzierski, Connelly, West Mealing, Hodgkins, Ricketts.

    SOURCE: Contributed 

  • Easter holiday football course in Thame

    easter_football_camp (400x360)THE Easter break is nearly upon us and at Meadow View Park, the home of Thame United, they’re planning fun-packed Football Activity Days for as little as £12.50 per day, for youngster between 6-12 years-old.

    So, why not join in the fun at Meadow View Park, from Monday, April 7 to Friday,April 11, and Monday, April 14, to Thursday, April 17? Kick-Off is at 9am and the day runs to 3pm. CALL 01844 214401 to book now, or simply download the booking form and return to the MVP Office with your payment. Special Offer: Book all nine days for £90. http://files.pitchero.com/clubs/13461/TFPEasterSoccerApril2014_102004.pdf

  • Thame lose to Kidlington at Meadow View Park

    thame_united_logoTHAME United were defeated by Kidlington 1-3 at the ASM Stadium on Saturday (28/03). Going into the game, United were in sixth league place and the visitors were seventh, but they had played three fewer games. Whilst possession was fairly even, Thame struggled to penetrate the visitors’ defence and Kidlington just did enough to earn their points.

    The visitors started brightly but it was Thame who scored first. In the 13th minute Dan West beat his marker on the right and was running at goal when he was tripped from behind, just inside the penalty area. The referee had no hesitation in awarding Thame a penalty. Marcus Mealing took the spot kick and beat the keeper comfortably with a strong shot to his right. Kidlington equalised on 20 minutes when Lee Farrow was not able to hold a well hit 30-yard free kick and the ball ran to visiting captain, Tommy Castle who netted from close range.

    A few minutes later Luke Ricketts met a cross from Niall Hodgkins with his chest, but the ball hit the post. Kidlington increased their lead on 32 minutes when Ellis Hercules, under pressure from a striker, tried to head a cross from the right out for a corner but instead found his own net.

    Mealing moved up front at the start of the second half with West falling back into midfield. Thame looked more dangerous for a while but on 56 minutes kidlington added another goal. A passing move created the space for Lewis Coyle to hit a well placed shot from the edge of the box into the right corner, giving Farrow no chance. Thame tried desperately to claw a goal back but their efforts were either wide, or comfortably saved by the visiting keeper.

    Thame United: Farrow, P Pykett, Hall (I Pykett), Hercules, Rhodes, Lynch (Johnstone), Mealing, West, Hodgkins, Kedzierski (Davis), Ricketts.

    United are at home again next Saturday (5th) when 13th placed Wootton Bassett Town are the visitors.

  • ‘Best ever’ championship for Thame Swimming Club

    THAME Swimming Club had its most successful Oxfordshire & North Bucks (ONB) County Swimming Championships during February and March, with a record number of 35 swimmers representing the Club in at least one or more events, under the inspirational leadership of Head Coach Ian Blyth.

    swimmingClub_March2014 (600x345)

    Whilst all the swimmers performed strongly, smashing a number of their personal best times, it was Ella Simms, Marcus Birmingham, Nacho Mendi, Jo Hewett and Amy Haarburger who came home as finalists,  finishing in the top eight in the whole county. Nacho Mendi also qualified for the Regional Championships with his 50 metres Butterfly,  as did Marcus though unfortunately he will miss out on the ASA South East Regional competition as his birthday is two days too early! Marcus not only achieved top eight positions, he achieved two Bronze and one Silver medal, as well as other finalist medals – a great performance!

    Thame’s own Jo Hewett entered three disability events and took three first places, a fantastic achievement. Amy Haarburger made the final in three events and not only PB’d in the heats but also in the finals. Nacho Mendi also made the finals in two events whilst Grace Gilmore received a finalists medal and Ella Simms also picked up a finalist’s medal.

    The boys under 14s.  200 metre Free relay team, consisting of James Newton, Kymir Ibragimov, Marcus Birmingham and Ben Williams, came fouth fastest overall, a tremendous effort given they came 15th last year!

    The full list of Thame SC swimmers for the 2014 championships was: Manas Bapat, Marcus Birmingham, Emma Borme, Phoebe Brown, Georgia Cahill, Maya Camp, Hallam Cozier, Lucy Day, Ines Devitt, Lydia Devitt, Tabitha Dodds, Hannah Ekerold, Will Finch, Sophia Fisher, Lauren Gibbs, Grace Gilmore, James Goetz, Thomas Goetz, Amy Haarburger, Hannah Hawken, Joanne Hewett, Kymir Ibragimov, Nacho Mendi, James Newton, Rachel Newton, Rory Price, Rory Pridmore, Hazel Randall, Maisie Randall, Elliot Riley-Brown, Florence Savage, Ella Simms, Tally Simms, Rebecca Smith and Ben Williams.

    As ever, the county championships could not run without the effort of the volunteers, and Thame SC provided a number of poolside volunteers and also officials for the event. Many thanks to them.

    Thame Swimming Club is a competitive swimming club and should you be interested in joining, please contact our Membership Secretary at: secretary@thameswimmingclub.co.uk or see www.thameswimmingclub.co.uk for details of the club and how to join.

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Ladies No 1 Squash player to play exhibition match in Thame

    BRITISH Ladies No 1 Squash player, and World No 4, Alison Waters, will be playing an Exhibition match at Raquets Fitness Centre, during the Club’s Graded Open Squash and Racketball tournament, on April 26 & 27.

    Alison Water, British Ladies No 1 Squash Player
    Alison Water, British Ladies No 1 Squash Player

    There will be plate competitions and every entrant is guaranteed a minimum of two games. It will be graded from A to E in the Squash event & A to D in the Racketball event.

    Entry Fees: £12.50 for Racquets Members – £15 for Non-Members. Tournament Entry Fee includes entry to the evening exhibition match between Alison, and Thame’s own World ranked, Racquet’s club Pro, Will John, plus the banquet.

    CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: Monday, April 21. More details and entry form: http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/open-graded-tournament-squash-racketball/

  • Thame lose to nine-man Highmoor in last kick

    REDUCED to nine men, Highmoor Ibis snatched victory with the last kick of the game at the ASM stadium on Tuesday evening, when they defeated Thame United 3-4. The visitors are second in the league, whilst Thame are currently seventh, so a close match was both anticipated and delivered.

    Mark West
    Mark West

    Thame started brightly with both Luke Ricketts and Marcus Mealing going close. It was the visitors however who scored first when, following a run on the left, the ball was passed to the unmarked Michael Parker whose strong 10-yard shot was met by Lee Farrow, but somehow the ball ricocheted off him into the goal. The remainder of the first half saw 50-50 possession but few chances at either end.

    The visitors increased their lead two minutes after the break when a long ball ‘over the top’ found the impressive Parker who ran at goal and beat Farrow with a strong low shot. Thame struggled to penetrate the well organised Highmoor defence and chances were few. With 25 minutes remaining, Dan West was dangerously tackled by Kasier Chowdhary, and almost retaliated before other players joined in to keep them apart. The referee took ages consulting his linesmen before dismissing Chowdhary, and showing yellow cards to West and a visiting player.

    United’s first goal came with 15 minutes remaining when Ellis Hercules met a ‘West’ corner to head the ball home from close range at the far post. The visitors’ increased their lead three minutes later when Calum Gallimore met a corner with a near post header.

     So, it was 1-3 with about 12 minutes of normal time remaining. With five minutes left, a free kick on the right was deflected to Ricketts, near the far post, and he fired the ball home. United’s equalising goal came with two minutes remaining when Hercules again met a West Corner but the ball fell to Nik Rhodes who scrambled it over the line. Thame was laying siege to the visitors’ goal when Highmoor lost a second player. Kashif Chowdhary was dismissed for an unknown offence and joined his brother in the dressing room.

    As United battled for the winner they left themselves vulnerable in defence and in the final seconds another high long ball found Parker who completed his hat-trick from 15 yards.

    Thame United: Farrow, P Pykett, Hall, Hercules, Rhodes, Jesson, Connelly, West, Cordice, Mealing (Hodgkins), Ricketts

    SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon

     

  • Thame keep Reading to a draw at Meadow View Park

    THAME United drew 2-2 with Reading Town in a close game at the ASM stadium on Saturday (01/03).

    thame_united_logo

    The visitors came into the match in sixth league place whilst Thame were seventh. The game saw the home debut of the impressive ex Marlow striker Marcus Mealing. The first half was uninspiring, but it was a different matter after the break with both sides playing attractive, open football.

    United, who were playing 4-5-1, controlled the first 15 minutes, winning six corners, but not really testing the visiting keeper. Then Reading settled and Thame were ‘on the back foot’ for a while. The visitors went ahead in the 43rd minute when a Thame clearance was deflected across the six yard box, falling to visiting striker Taylor Mitchinson, whose shot ricocheted off a defender to beat Lee Farrow. United equalised two minutes later when bizarrely a Shannon Jesson in swinging corner was caught by the visiting goalkeeper but the well placed linesman signalled that the ball had crossed the line.

    Louis Cordice came on a few minutes after the break, allowing United to adopt a 4-4-2 formation, and almost immediately, they looked more dangerous. In The 53rd minute Cordice picked up a ball just outside the box, ran to the left dead ball line, and was about to cross when he was scythed down from behind. Referee Evans rightly awarded a penalty. Mealing scored from the spot, sending Reading’s keeper the wrong way. There were chances at both ends before, with 25 minutes remaining, James Knight scored the visitor’s second goal with a powerful 20-yard shot, giving Farrow no chance. Thame played some good football as they sought the winner and Cordice, Mealing, and Matt Hall all brought saves from the keeper. It was however 2-2 when the final whistle blew and the points were shared.

    Thame United: Farrow, P Pykett, Hall, Hercules, Rhodes, Jesson (I Pykett), Connelly, West, Kedzierski (Cordice), Mealing, Rickets.

    United are without a game next Saturday (8th). The reserves however face Berinsfield in the semi-final of the Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup at the ASM Stadium (KO 3.00).

    SOURCE: Contributed – By Jake Collinge

  • New Captains ready for ‘exciting’ new season

    WITH the new cricket season starting in April, Thame Town Cricket Club has announced that experienced Club players, Sam Lachlan and Chris Jeffcock, are to be the new Captains for the First and Second teams respectively.

    Sam Lachlan
    Sam Lachlan

     

     

     

    Both Captains have played for the Club since they were juniors, with Sam having played for over 20 years, and in the First XI since the age of 16. Sam replaced Mike Higgs as Captain of the Firsts during last season; meanwhile, Mike will be taking on Vice Captain duties.

    Chris Jeffcock
    Chris Jeffcock

    Chris also has a solid history with the Club having played for the junior teams for many years. In recent seasons he has scored heavily for the senior teams and so he is well placed to assume Captaincy of the Seconds. Angus Lachlan and Pete Tervet will share the Captaincy duties for the Third XI.

    Club Chairman Angus Lachlan, commented: “It’s great to see two players who have come all the way from the Club’s junior teams reach the top. We are very proud of developing young players and have a strong track record of promoting talented younger players into the senior teams.

    “We’re thrilled that a player of Sam’s calibre wishes to remain as skipper for the Firsts while Chris’s recent performances and eagerness to gain Captaincy experience will prove to be a great asset to the Seconds. We have the best Captains in place so we are very excited about the season ahead.”

    The Club is always looking for new members and is actively recruiting new players of all ages and abilities. All age groups are currently training with properly qualified coaches at Lord Williams’s Lower School Sports Hall, ahead of the 2014 season. Training will continue throughout the summer on weekday evenings at the Club’s ground at Church Meadow, Thame.

    Any new adult or junior cricketers interested in playing for the Club should contact one of the following:
    Sam Lachlan on 07789 011971
    Sally Patey, Honorary Secretary 07703 924742
    Sheena Beard, Junior Secretary   07814 699519

    The Club is also very keen to offer local sponsorship opportunities. For further information, contact Guy Holmes on 07740 145217.

  • Skaters and BMX bikers have got it pegged!

    A complete facelift for Thame Skate Park came a step – or maybe that should be an ‘Ollie’ – closer last night, when Thame Town Council agreed to go ahead with the scheme, using the design ‘Wheelscape’ chosen by the skaters and BMX bikers of Thame.

    The group of skate park users sit in the council chamber, awaiting good news from the town council about their new skatepark
    The group of skate park users sit in the council chamber, awaiting good news from the town council about their new skatepark

    The public gallery at last night’s Thame Town Council meeting, was packed with local skaters keen to show their support for the scheme, which had become necessary once the existing skate park began to show serious symptons of wear and tear. RoSPA(Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) recently reported that the existing skate park had a life expectancy of just 12 months.

    Skater, Olly Ross, said: “”We are all very excited about the prospect of this new Skatepark. Everyone loves the design and cannot wait for it to be built.”

    The £250,000 scheme, which will include completely new, state-of-the-art equipment, will be partly funded by South Oxfordshire District Council and Thame Town Council and other grants are being sought. As well as providing a great recreational and sporting outlet for Thame’s young people, it is anticipated that the facility will be an attraction for skaters from other areas who will help to increase footfall in the town.

    Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green, who leads the Skate park Working Group, told Councillors: “BMX is now an Olympic sport, and most Snowboarders, so successful in the recent Winter Olympics at Sochi, started out as skaters.”

    Several fund-raising events are being planned for the coming weeks and there will be a big launch event once the new facility is up-and-running, expected to be by November, 2014.

  • Thame’s Squash champions in the making

    squash_camp_feb_2014 (400x290)DESPITE losing a day because of a pre-arranged power cut that never happend, our very own, Thame cradle of squash excellence, Racquets Fitness Centre, saw over 20 young, new squash enthusiasts being introduced to the game at this week’s half-term Squash Camp.

    Racquets’ Squash Camps have been a breeding ground for many young players now competing at County, National and International levels, including Alex Noakes who has just ranked ninth in the World in the under 19’s category.

    Will John, Nicholas Ratnarajah and Aisling Guerzoni, all coached by staff at Racquets, are now competing internationally and Will John currently ranks 274 in the World Mens circuit.

    Aisling is ranked 44 in the under 19 girls in the Uk and Ben, 79 in the under 17’s in the Uk.