Category: Sports News

(1) THAME Tornadoes V Falcons – ADNL Division 3 – October 2, 2013; 
Tense Thame sneak past Flightless Falcons

THAME entered this match looking for a third win from three matches, but began the game slowly, conceding straight away. Their frantic passing was causing loss of possession, making life so much harder for them.    A fantastic effort from Heather – GS , linking up well with the speedy Amelia – GA,  brought  Thame back into the game, their  partnership enabling Thame to take a 7-4 lead after the first quarter, from what had been a reluctant start.

The second quarter began well for Thame, who extended their lead with some controlled passing. However, this lead to a fight back from the Falcons, who used direct passing to penetrate the Thame defence. From this point passes were going astray, an indication that  both teams were feeling the pressure.  But then Thame bucked their ideas up to take a slim, 13-12 lead at half time.

The third quarter though belonged to the Falcons who maintained a strong period of pressure to take the lead midway through the quarter. This prompted a rallying cry from Sheena,  prompting Thame to stay in the match, leaving the score at 20 all, to set up a nail biting final quarter.

It was the Falcons who drew first blood, scoring to take the lead. However this was as good as it got for them, as from this point on, Thame took control of the match, with some pin point shooting.  The Falcons energy was steadily sapping away and Thame were able to hang on for a 29-25 victory, making it a terrific start to the season for them.

Contributed by Bradley Rose

(2) THAME Hurricanes V Phoenix –  ADNL Divison 4 –  October 2, 2013

PHOENIX started the game well and dominated the first half. They intercepted well and took advantage of any mistakes made by Thame leaving the Hurricanes trailing 10-5 at half time. 

However, after a change of line up, Thame came out fighting and managed to pull the score back to 11-12 at the end of the third quarter.

By the final quarter, the game was much more exciting , with both teams determined to gain the five points for a win. With improvements in both defence and attack, Thame continued to battle and managed to score goal for goal with Phoenix for the rest of the match. Unfortunately for Thame, Phoenix just managed to hang on winning 19-20.

Team: GK Lyn H, GD Nic R, WD Jesse K, C Tor B, WA Lynn P, GA Lucy S/Helen T, GS Carol S

THAME United were defeated 1-0 at Milton United in a Bluefin Sports League Cup , first round fixture last Saturday (28/09), and have now lost their last three matches, albeit they were all played away from home. The side seems to be going through a lean spell, having failed to score in all three games. Saturday’s game did however see Thame reduced to 10 men for the majority of the match.

Thame dominated the opening exchanges and the game was 15 minutes old before their opponents mounted their first attack. Minutes later their second attack saw Ellis Hercules judged to have fouled in the box, and to have been the ‘last man’. A penalty was awarded and Hercules was shown a straight red card and dismissed from the pitch. Adam Bruce scored from the spot kick, driving the ball straight down the middle. Encouraged by their advantage, the home side played much better for the remainder of the half and possession was 50/50. 

Thame did create some chances with Lynton Goss forcing a good save, and Luke Ricketts dribbling round the keeper, but by doing so put himself in a position where the angle made a shot impossible. He crossed the ball but the keeper smothered it before it could be knocked home.

The second half was uninspiring. Both Lewis Cordice and Rickets had chances but their shots were high. Substitutions were made, and Thame’s 10 men had the bulk of possession but, apart from a wide shot from Taylor Collins, there were no further chances. Goalkeeper, Lee Farrow came up for Thame’s last corner which was quickly cleared and Milton broke to attack as Farrow sprinted back,  but Ian Pykett cleared the danger.

Thame United: Farrow, I Pykett, P Pykett, Hercules, Rhodes, Lynch (Davis), Goss, Connelly, Hodgkins (Collins), Cordice (Johnson), Ricketts.

After Tuesdays game against Clanfield, Thame are at home for two games. They face Abingdon United on Saturday, October 5, followed by Cheltenham Saracens on Tuesday, October 8.

THAME United defeated Oxford City Nomads 3-2 in a fast, entertaining game at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday, evening, September 17. It was a good result for Thame as Nomads were in second in the league, coming into the game, whilst United occupied ninth place.

Matt Willett was on the right wing, with the dependable Pykett brothers full backs, and Ollie lynch wore the number six shirt, allowing Ben Connolly to wear eight. Ex Thame keeper, Milan Barisic, was in goal for Nomads.

The initial exchanges were 50/50 but the home side were the first to test the keeper with a Taylor Collins shot. Thame went ahead in the 19th minute when Lewis Cordice received a ball from the right and hit a shot which Barisic blocked. But the ball fell to Collins who hit another shot which Barisic also parried but this time Cordice met it and beat the keeper. 

Although possession was even, home keeper Lee Farrow, was not really tested until Nomads first goal which came on 27 minutes. They were awarded a free kick on he left which Mark Janes met with a glancing header, sending the ball into the far corner. United’s second came just before the break when a long kick from Farrow beat the visiting defenders allowing the talented Collins to collect it, run at goal, dribble around Barisic and fire into an empty net.

The early stages of the second half saw some end-to-end football but there were few chances until United scored their third with 20 minutes remaining. Lynton Goss took a free kick on the left which Collins collected at the far post and hit a strong shot from an acute angle, giving Barisic no chance. The final goal of the game came 10 minutes later from a corner which Nomads captain, Mark Gabbidon, headed home at the near post. A few minutes later Cordice had a chance to increase Thame’s lead but with only Barisic to beat, he fired wide. The final minutes saw the visitors pressing for an equaliser but Thame held out to collect all three points.

Thame United: Farrow, I Pykett, P Pykett, Hercules, Rhodes, Lynch, Willett, Connelly, Collins, Cordice, Goss (Ricketts).

SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon

PREPARATIONS for the second edition of the Thame Rotary Swimathon are under way. Inspired by last year’s London Olympic and Paralympic Games, the event will take place at the Thame Leisure Centre on Sunday, October 13, between 10am and 2pm.

The Thame Swimathon is a fun, fundraising event on behalf of local charities, Sharing Life Trust, Thame & District Day Centre, SAFARI and Thame Players.

Marius Ciortan, who chairs the Rotary Swimathon Steering Group, told ThameNews.Net: “The event is possible due to the generosity of several local businesses. ALR Services, ASM Auto Recycling, Thame Leisure Centre, Park Street Dental Clinic, Racquets Fitness Centre, Vale Life Magazine will cover the cost of hiring the pool, whilst Ignite Sports will cover the cost of producing the medals. Abbotts Office Solutions and Silent View Windows have sponsored the blue Rotary T-shirts which will be worn by the volunteers organising the event.

“We have received a great response and support from the local businesses like the MP Sports Cricket Academy and many local groups. A team of Thame town councillors lead by Mike Dyer will participate this year for the first time. Lord Williams’ School, Thame Swimming Club, primary schools from Thame, Chinnor, and Haddenham are also likely to send swimmers as last year.

“Everyone over the age of eught can take part. More local groups and businesses have been contacted and are expected to participate. Thame Rotary Swimathon became a traditional annual event and is now a part of the 2012 Olympic legacy.

“We are looking for another 15 teams of up to 6 swimmers. Each team is given a lane of the pool and will swim for 55 minutes – with only one team member swimming at a time. To avoid disappointment we advise the teams to complete their entry forms as soon as possible.

“On average this means that each swimmer does about 10-20 lengths during the 55 minutes, but there is no need for each team member to swim the same number of lengths.

“Teams seek sponsorship for taking part in the Rotary Swimathon by raising a lump sum or based on the team’s total number of lengths swum – which can be up to 100 lengths or more.”

“The benefits are for everyone, as local charities get money to help with their important work and the swimmers have lots of fun trying to swim as many lengths as they can. At the end all participants will get a Rotary Swimathon medal.”

The teams should apply now as the slots are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Team entry and sponsorship forms can be downloaded from/www.thame.rotaryweb.org or by ringing Rotarian Peter Hook on 07836 651174 or e-mail: peterghook@hotmail.com

Also the public can support their favourite teams by donating on-line on: https://mydonate.bt.com/events/thamerotaryswimathon2013

PHOTO: Lightfoot’s winning team last year, 2012

THAME United returned with a point from their trip to Newbury Town on Saturday (14/09) having drawn 1-1. United will however regard the outcome as two points lost rather than one point gained.

It was a frustrating game as United had most of the ball and could have won comfortably if their finishing had been on target. Due to the unavailability of goalkeeper Lee Farrow, 17 year old Robbie Jacques, who is the youth team keeper, made his debut for Thame.

United controlled the first half, winning seven corners to their hosts’ one. In the first 15 minutes Neil Hodgkins, Taylor Collins, and Lynton Goss all shot at goal but all were wide. Ben Connelly had a good chance when the ball was fed to him from the right but his hurried shot was high. A few minutes later Collins did well to dribble around the home keeper, but his shot was cleared off the line by a defender. Jacques was not tested in the first half and annoyingly the game was goalless at half time.

Fifteen minutes after the restart Mark West brought James Faulkner, Lewis Cordice and Luke Rickets off the bench to replace Hodgkins, Collins and Goss. Thame went ahead in the 67th minute when a Ricketts corner was met by some header bagatelle involving Ellis Hercules and Nik Rhodes whose efforts were blocked on the line. But the ball finally fell to Ben Connelly who headed home from close range. Rickets played well on the left and his acute shot was narrowly wide after a strong run followed by a pass to Faulkner who returned the ball into his path. 

In the final 15 minutes the home side started to get their act together and Jacques was forced to make a good save. The equaliser came with six minutes remaining from an in-swinging corner which was met with a slight touch by Jordan Farr. United pressed for the winner but the score line was even when the final whistle blew.

Thame United: Jacques, I Pykett, P Pykett, Hercules, Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, Lynch, Taylor (Cordice), Hodgkins (Faulkner), Goss (Ricketts).

Next Saturday (21st), United travel to Westfields (near Woking) for a 2nd round FA Vase fixture. Their next home game is on Tuesday 1st October when Thame meet Clanfield in the Floodlit Cup.

ADNL Netball Division Three; Thame Tornadoes V Chiltern Flyers – September, 11 2013 – MATCH REPORT. Another new season was upon Thame last week, and they were looking to get off to a winning start against Chiltern Fliers. 

Thame shook off a nervous start to take the lead. Both teams looked very capable of scoring, with Thame’s GA, Heather looking very cool inside the D. Chiltern’s intricate passing was giving them the edge, but Thame managed to stay with them to end the first quarter all square at six all. 

A couple of missed opportunities allowed Chiltern to re take the lead, but a resurgent Thame flew back into action, and began to look as though they could take a firm grip of the game. All was going well for Thame until their GK, Kirsty took a heavy fall, damaging her ankle. She had to leave the court immediately to recover, leaving Thame a player down, but this failed to fluster the team and they held out to 14-11 at half time. 

Luckily for Thame, Kirsty managed to rejoin the match, her return proving crucial to helping them stay in control. Thame’s long passing was clearly opening up Chiltern’s defence, enabling Thame to takes shots at will. This dominance meant that Thame could stay on top across the court, taking a 23-16 lead into the final quarter. 

With the opposition tiring, Thame were able to enjoy the last quarter, maintaining possession well and adding to their goal tally. Their superior control throughout the game was reflected in the well-deserved 30-21 winning score line, giving them a perfect start to the new season. 

By Bradley Rose