Category: Sports News

MATCH REPORT – By Bob Dixon: Thame United away to Reading Town, 10/08/13: SCORE: Reading Town 1, Thame United 0.

AFTER an encouraging pre-season in which Thame United won THREE of their FIVE games, all against higher placed opposition, their Hellenic league campaign started at Reading Town last Saturday, with the home side winning 1-0. It was a frustrating game to watch as neither team played particularly well.

Defences dominated, whilst creative football and goal scoring opportunities where few. Reading, who have changed their ownership, manager, and squad, had slightly more possession, particularly in the first half.

The opening exchanges were fairly even then, after five minutes play, Thame newcomer Lynton Goss, made an impressive run on goal, beating several defenders, before eventually being beaten. The game ebbed and flowed but neither goalkeeper was really tested. The only goal came in the 28th minute from a corner from the right. The ball was only partly cleared and fell to the Reading left winger who knocked it back across goal and central defender Michael Hancock met it to head in at the far post.

The second half was similar with goalkeepers rarely tested although, with about 20 minutes remaining, James Faulkner hit a strong 25-yard shot which the home keeper only just turned round the post. With time running out, Mark West brought on Ben Gray and Callum Green to join Faulkner ‘up front’ but without success. 

In the final minute Lee Farrow left his goal for a corner kick, and was unlucky to see his header sail over the crossbar.

Thame United: Farrow, I Pykett, Willet, Hercules, Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly (Gray), Lynch, Faulkner, Goss (Green), Dell.

PEOPLE between the ages of 19 and 25 have the opportunity to get fit and try out the facilities at Thame’s Racquets Fitness Centre this summer at a discounted rate.

Sportivate, a National Lottery funded project which aims to provide new sporting activity sessions for young people, is offering six session Gymfit passes for just £12.

By signing up anyone aged 19 to 25 is entitled to six sessions in the gym, squash courts, or can take part in classes run at the centre, starting on 19 August.

The offer gives people a great opportunity to try out the centre, and if they attend at least five sessions in six weeks then the joining fee is wavered if they wish to become a full member at the leisure centre in North Street.

Cllr Bill Service, Cabinet Member for Leisure at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “This is a great opportunity for 19 -25 year olds in the Thame get fit, take part in classes and meet new friends.”

For more details or to register your place please call Racquets Fitness Centre on 01844 261754. For more information about Racquets Fitness Centre please see Racquets’ website

BRITISH LIONS player, Craig Chalmers has left Chinnor RFC as its Head Coach, just a couple of weeks before the season begins and just four months after joining the club.

In a statement today, the club said: “The Board of Chinnor RFC accepted on Wednesday the resignation of Craig Chalmers from his position as Head Coach. 

“Following the non-attendance of Craig at many of the pre-season training sessions a meeting was held with Craig on Tuesday evening at which he advised that due to personal matters and pressure of his other commitments he felt unable to carry out his obligations to the club. He assured us that it had nothing whatsoever to do with the prospects of the Club that he considers to be excellent.

“Whilst it is of some regret and disappointment that the Club has been let down at this late stage we wanted to act quickly. We are very lucky to have Matt Goode and Andrew Smith on board who have been at the frontline of Chinnor’s success over recent years. They have shown great leadership at this difficult time and we are very pleased that they have accepted our unanimous request to become joint Head Coach.”

Director of Rugby, John Vaughan commented: “We will very quickly get over this setback and continue to be genuinely excited to be going into the our second consecutive season in National Two, with our committed, retained squad and some very promising new additions.” 

The club’s secretary, Carol Bradbrook-Taylor, added: “Matt and Andrew have been a major part of the coaching set up for some years at Chinnor and this is a great opportunity for them to fully take the helm and light the touch paper of talent and enthusiasm that is here.”

GOOD NEWS from the dug-out by John Vaughan, Director of Rugby:

“Despite the surprising news regarding our coach there is much to be positive about from the training field. The whole squad starting training at the beginning of July and indeed many of the players had carried on training at the clubhouse right through so the retained squad are looking fitter and meaner. We unfortunately had to say goodbye to the following players Matt Holyland (Hooker), Simon Tattersfield (Hooker), Dave Hughes (2nd Row/Back Row), Evan Sawyer (Back Row), Jordan Wood (Back Row), Joe Kava (Back Row), Sam Stoop (Centre), Henry Colver (Full Back), Tommy Gray (Wing). 

“Most of these were either retirement, family commitments or needing to move for jobs. We thank them of course for their massive contribution and wish them well. There has been a good recruitment drive and some great new talent arriving and we list here a few – Nathaniel Tichard-Jones -aka Turkish (Prop), Sam Rawstone (Hooker), Kai George (2nd Row/Back Row-wasps), Andy Tibbats (Back Row), Oskar HJ (Back Row-wasps), Dan Barnes (Centre-wasps), Alex Harrison (Centre/Full Back-wasps), Joe Marston (Wing-leicester lions), Sam Portland (Wing), Ben Farr (Wing-ex chinnor) and Connor Hull (Fullback). The whole squad are training well and looking sharp. 

THE CHINNOR SPIRIT WILL PREVAIL

“We always saw Craig as a one year and possibly two appointment and with the strong policy of recruitment from within had hoped that Andrew Smith and Matt Goode would then step forward. They now have the opportunity to do so and are incredibly keen to get cracking. They will need help on the administrative side and on match days and we are looking at making an appointment to suit.

“They have been a major part of the coaching set up for some time and this is a natural progression albeit a little more soon than we thought.

“We have a tremendous pre-season challenge and the key is for us to hit the ground running. This is a very exciting season for us and despite the set-back and in the face of it, the true Chinnor spirit will prevail. The players appreciate incredibly the support of the Chinnor ‘massive’ and look forward to providing the fast flowing spirit of Rugby that is Chinnor.”

WHY not encourage the kids to take up a new sport during the summer holidays, by signing them up for this year’s Junior Squash Camp at Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame?

The dates are: 7th 8th 14th and 15th of August from 10am till 3pm.

More information : http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/menus/main.asp?PN=Article&ID=300 

PRE season training is well under way for Chinnor RFC’s Senior Teams playing at Kingsey Road, and the club is hoping to welcome new comers to go along every Tuesday & Thursday from 7pm.

Friendly matches have been arranged to allow players old and new to settle back into playing after a two month break, beginning on August 10, when the First Team squad will travel to Coventry RFC.

On August 17, Chinnor will be playing London Welsh who are now based at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford. Last year London Welsh played in the Premier League and were unfortunate to be relegated to the Championship League so will no doubt be looking for promotion.

Chinnor RFC came a creditable sixth in the SSE National League two, South (Level four). The Second team won their league as part of their unbeaten record last season and have been promoted to the The Zoo Sports Shield, Division One. They will face much tougher teams such as Jersey, Esher, Ealing, Richmond, Blackheath and local rivals Henley.

Both clubs have new First Team Coaches. Justin Burrell was appointed head coach of London Welsh in 2013 having previously been joint head coach and forwards coach for the Cardiff Blues and Chinnor recently signed Craig Chalmer, former Scotland and Lions player. He has coached Scotland?s successful Melrose RFC.

As well as being the show case for the two high profile coaches, the ‘friendlies’ will be an opportunity to for the new signings keen to show and share their talents with the existing players.

Entrance to both matches is free of charge. Kick off will be at 3pm.

The final pre season match on August 24, will be the Seconds playing Tonbridge Juddians. Chinnor Firsts played this club?s First team and won in order to attain promotion for last season. Again another good battle promised here!

SOURCE: Contributed

ON Sunday August 18, Thame Bowls Club will be staging the Finals of the prestigious Thame Triples Competition. This annual competition attracts entries from Bowls Clubs throughout Oxfordshire and surrounding Counties and culminates in Finals Day when the top 12 Teams compete for the Thame Triples Trophy.

The day’s Bowling starts at 9.45am and finishes around 7pm, the Final being played at approximately 5.30pm.

There will then follow the prize-giving and presentation of the Trophy to the winning team.

THAME Town Cricket Club Firsts put on a spirited display in their away game at Great Brickhill last weekend. The home side chose to bat first on their small ground, and managed to put on 279 for 5 in their 53 overs, thanks to an excellent 139 from their Overseas professional Gav Davson. For Thame, Will Rooney, who has returned to the club, took 3 for 72 and Sam Lachlan 2 for 36.

When Thame batted, the top order kept up with the rate, but wickets began to fall at regular intervals, and only Deon Laubscher (48) and Will Sutcliffe progressed to significant scores. Sutcliffe hit fourteen boundaries including six sixes, and was eventually out for 105.

Will Rooney kept Thame in the hunt with 25 but when he was out, they settled for the draw in an entertaining game, and their final points total of 7 did not do the team justice.

The Seconds lost to Great Brickhill Seconds, whilst the Thirds gained a good victory away at Oxford and Bletchingdon Nondies.

PHOTO: Will Rooney (Library picture)

A group of Thame people who want to raise awareness of Prostate cancer, are organising a Five-a-side, day-long football tournament and family fun day at Little Milton
– and want more teams!

Thame resident, Gary Stacey came up with the idea last year and this year has the support of Lorna Shepherd, whose father Peter Matthews was diagnosed with a rare form of prostate cancer a year ago. Peter is the well-know local press photographer of rugby, including at Chinnor Rugby Club.

Lorna explained: “The idea is that there will be five-a-side teams who compete against each other, literally from dawn until dusk. From 10 am there will be a family fun day with stalls and attractions. Stalls are free to stall holders but they will be contributing to Prostate Cancer UK from their profits.

“Last year there were pony rides, a hog roast and raffles etc. This year we are hoping for even bigger and better things including a Bird of Prey display, an all day DJ, a boxing exhibition by the South Moreton boxing club and a hair and beauty stall.”

Last year, ex Chelsea player, Kerry Dixon, attended the event and met all the players and around

WHY not encourage the kids to take up a new sport during the summer holidays, by signing them up for this year’s Junior Squash Camp at Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame?

The dates are: 7th 8th 14th and 15th of August from 10am till 3pm.

More information HERE

IT was a close run things when John Hampden Primary school and Barley Hill Schoolin Thame met when Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame hosted the first of many Inter-School sports challenges led by their Junior Coach Roger Ridler and staff from the centre.

The challenge consisted of disciplines for Squash, Racketball and other sports skills. Ten children aged between 9 and 11 years-old were selected from each school with Barley Hill as the eventual winners.

Racquets have recently been given a grant from The Oxfordshire Sports Trust for new playing equipment, which will enable them to provide rackets and balls at discounted rates for anyone who wants to give Squash or Racketball a try, and will continue to provide squash and gym activities for children from the age of four upwards.

Simon Martin, who runs Racquets Fitness Centre, said: “With squash on the short list for the next Olympics, now is the time to encourage children and young people to take the game up and develop their hand and eye co-ordination, fitness and balance. To that end Racquets is sponsoring 10 Junior Memberships to young sports achievers at Lord Williams School this week and intends to continue to promote squash at all schools in the future.”

There will be a Junior Squash Camp held at Racquets during the school summer holidays for children aged from seven to 14 years old, and details can be found on the centre’s website at:
www.racquets-fitness-centre.com