Category: Sports News

THE new outdoor Bowls season is under way at Thame Bowls Club, IN Queens Road, Thame. This year Members are looking forward to a somewhat drier Summer than last year, and Chairman of the Bowls Club, Bill Giles, (the well known ex-BBC Weatherman) is very optimistic.

“Last year we started the season with the threat of a drought. No sooner had I met with officials from Thames Water to explain how we could be exempt from a hosepipe ban with our own watering system at the Bowls Club, than the heavens opened and we had the wettest summer for years!”

This year there will be the usual Recruitment Evenings at the Queens Road Club giving aspiring bowls players the chance to go along and try ‘the wondeful’ game for themselves. Bowls are supplied and there will be experienced Coaches on hand to show you the basics of the game. Although flat soled shoes are available to wear on the Green, you can bring your own to wear.
There will be refreshments and the Club bar will be open to help you enjoy the hospitality of this friendly Club.

Make a note in your diary now – the Recruitment Evenings are on TUESDAY MAY 7th AND THE FOLLOWING MONDAY MAY 13th both starting at 6pm.

Bill Giles added: “In recent years over 50 people have joined Thame Bowls Club bringing the current membership to around 120. They all enjoy this great outdoor activity.

“There are over 100 games played throughout the season. These include friendly games against other clubs in the area, Men’s, Ladies and Mixed games. There is also a competitive Men’s League played on Thursday evenings, a Friday ‘Triples” League’, as well as all the many knock-out competitions that run throughout the season. These include ‘Domestic’, County and National competitions.

So come along to one of the Recruitment Evenings to find out more about this friendly Bowls Club. There is more information on the Club web-site at www.thamebowlsclub.co.uk

PHOTO: Ex BBC weatherman, Bill Giles, President of Thame Bowls Club

IN its 50th anniversary year, Chinnor RFC which has been based in Thame for 30 years, has something very special to boast about. The Rugby Football Union has awarded the club Accreditation status.

This great achievement began with a complete review by the Chinnor RFC of its activities on and off the pitch when it asked all members to complete a survey. This was followed up with a workshop involving a cross selection of members to review the responses.

Carol Bradbrook-Taylor, Honorary Club Secretary, explained. “We were keen to get opinions from those who are not directly involved in the day-to-day running of the Club. This helped us understand how members view the Club and to consider its future development on and off the pitch. The phrase SUCCESS WITH GROWTH summed this process up. The learning from this process informed a development plan which, together with existing good practices, allowed the RFU to judge whether Chinnor RFC met the high standards of an Accredited Club.”

As an Accredited Club, The RFU found Chinnor RFC to have effective and efficient plans and processes to

? Retain and develop players
? Recruit new players
? Recruit and retain high quality coaches,
volunteers and referees
? Maintain and develop effective and efficient
facilities
? Manage and govern effectively and efficiently
? Further integrate with the local community

But it doesn’t stop there. SPORT ENGLAND has also awarded Chinnor RFC ClubMark status. This measures Chinnor RFC against a number of criteria to determine if the club achieves a high standard of providing:

? A playing/participation programme
? A duty of care and safeguarding and protecting
children
? Knowledge of how the club works especially in
regard to its community
? Top quality club management

The Club has an active volunteer base of some 150 people managed by a Committee of 10 responsible for the day to day running of the Club which was recently incorporated by guarantee. The Board maintains the strong overview required by a Club and a business which has over 1100 members, one of the largest in Oxfordshire.

A new Action Plan relating to further improving coaching, hosting a foreign team, and to improve the clubhouse facilities and pitches is under way. “We are on target to achieve these in time for the annual Accreditation review,” concluded Carol

SPORTS clubs in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse have another opportunity to apply for funding to improve their facilities. In total,

THE pitch at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday (19/03), which was waterlogged on Saturday, recovered well despite Sunday?s snow, Thame United?s fixture against Abingdon Town was able to go ahead.

It was a fast, entertaining game which Thame won 2-1. The visitors played better than their lowly league position suggested but were unable to penetrate the Thame defence and their efforts on goal were mainly from long range.

The opening exchanges were even, but United gradually gained the upper hand and went ahead in the 18th minute. Luke Ricketts took a corner on Thame?s right which Nik Rhodes met, near the penalty spot, with a strong, unstoppable header. Thame was looking the sharper side, creating chances with Matt Johnson and Matt Hall both going close. It was 1-0 at the break.

United increased their lead a few minutes after the restart. Ben Gray played a short ball to Ricketts, just inside their opponents half, and the on-form Rickets broke down the left wing, cut inside and hit a perfect low cross to Gray who finished confidently from five yards. The game ebbed and flowed with united having slightly more possession. Thame keeper, Lee Farrow made some good saves, until with, 10 minutes remaining, he was beaten by a strong 25-yard shot from Ben Taylor which found the corner of the net.

In the final minutes Alex Stewart and Hall brought good saves from the visiting keeper.

Final score: Thame United 2, Abingdon Town 1

Thame United: Farrow, Meredith, Way, Johnson, Rhodes, Jewell, Connelly, Hall, Stewart, Gray (Dell), Ricketts.

United are away to Oxford City Nomads next Saturday (23/03), whilst Thame United Reserves meet Penn and Tylers Green Reserves at the ASM Stadium. The first team?s next home game is on Easter Monday April 01, when league leaders Marlow visit in a rescheduled fixture.

ADNL Div 4 Match – Wednesday, March 6; MATCH REPORT (Contributed: Hurricanes began with a strong start and the team was working very well together. We began with a 5 nil lead and kept going strong until half way through the first quarter when Phoenix began to catch up.

The second quarter was a tough one for Hurricanes with some loose passes and bad positioning which allowed Phoenix to catch up. Throughout the rest of the game there were strong interceptions and passes from everyone and consistent shooting from Lucy and Carol.

It was a tight game throughout with only two goals in it at a time, from both Hurricanes and Phoenix. Although we played very well, Phoenix overtook by two within the last 10 minutes making the final score 17-15 to Phoenix.

Overall it was a close game and Hurricanes played to the best of their ability with great teamwork.
Player of match – Sue (voted by Phoenix)

THAME Tornadoes netball team vs Crendon – 06/03/13 – MATCH REPORT – By Bradley Rose: Careful Crendon proved to be too strong for Thame Hurricanes on Wednesday.

Thame began the game the quicker of the two sides with their swift passing moves allowing them to take an early three goal advantage. This joy was short lived however, as Crendon hit back in remarkable style to lead 7-3 after the first quarter. The quick start had drifted away, and tighter marking was needed from Thame.

The second quarter began tightly, with neither team wanting to give too much away. Thame desperately needed to get back in the game, but solid defending from Crendon and poor passing from Thame left the score at 10-6 to Crendon at the break.

The third quarter began well for Thame, with Charlotte scoring a great goal. However, this was as good as it got for Thame as they began to slip behind. This meant that with only one quarter left, Thame trailed 16-9.

There were missed chances from Thame in the final quarter but some clinical finishing from Crendon eventually sealed them the win despite a late flourish from Thame.

The final score saw Thame defeated of 21-14.

 CHINNOR RFC seconds completed a season treble over local rivals, Henley, on Saturday. In another closely contested encounter, Chinnor came out on top 20-14.

Having beaten Henley at home in the league and then in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup, we knew this was going to be a tough challenge at Dry Leas.

The game started with a bang as Tristan Corpe ghosted through the Henley midfield defence to score a great try under the posts after only two minutes. The try was then converted by Alex Stephenson. Chinnor had the better of the opening exchanges but with seven minutes on the clock, Henley reduced the deficit to 7-3 with a penalty. This was to be a recurring pattern in the game with a penalty count stacked heavily against Chinnor. The referee’s interpretation at the breakdown left Chinnor players and official baffled.

With defences on top, it took until the 16th minute for the next score with Alex Stephenson converting a penalty from out wide, to make the score 10-3.

Henley then responded in the 26th minute with a well worked try scored in the left hand corner. A missed conversion left the score at 10-8 to Chinnor.

A string of penalties against Chinnor followed. With 25 minutes gone the penalty count was already 12-2 against Chinnor. However, the Henley Fly Half was having an off day with the boot and it was Chinnor who extended the lead through a penalty conversion in the 31st minute by Stephenson.

With a minute left of the half, Ed Rixon was yellow carded and Henley reduced the half time score to 13-11.

Henley started the stronger in the second half and deservedly took the lead, albeit for the first and last time in the game, with a penalty that gave them a 14-13 lead.

However, once restored to 15 men, Chinnor showed some real class. From a ruck in midfield, forwards and backs combined in flowing movements, leading to a great run and offload from Ian Stock to Corpe. His pace enabled him to rip through Henley’s backline defence and after standing up the fullback, he popped a pass inside for Max Williams to score. This was converted by Stephenson to put Chinnor ahead 20-14, a lead they never surrendered despite the continuing penalty count and a further yellow card for Ed Vickers.

Once again Chinnor showed true determination to win with great displays by Hastings, Vickers and Rixon. However, Man of the Match goes to Tristan Corpe (pictured) for his all round display.

CHINNOR’S visit to rural Gloucestershire on Saturday (02/03) was an unhappy one as they were put to the sword by Hartpury College, losing out by 52-7.

The match started well for Chinnor as they were awarded two easy penalty goals in front of the Hartpury posts within the first five minutes. However, the normally reliable Colver was off target and this was perhaps a portent for the rest of the game.

Hartpury’s first try came in the 12th minute when, after a punishing maul from a penalty lineout, Peter Thomas went over for the opening try. Just five minutes later, after a Chinnor lineout overthrow, Hartpury?s pacey backs saw Bradley Davies over for a second try, converted by Craig Jackson, to put the home side 12-0 ahead on 16 minutes. Hartpury?s third try was an exact repeat of their first, this time with Chris Fortey going over for the try in the 28th minute. Jackson converted to put the students ahead 19-0.

With 33 minutes played, a neat chip over the on-rushing Chinnor defence, saw the ball bounce into the hands of George Bolton who strolled to the posts for the bonus point try. Jackson again converted for a 26-0 lead. Chinnor, clutching at coat tails, put together a promising attacking movement only for the college’s Billy Burns to intercept and trot to the line for a fifth try. Jackson’s conversion gave Hartpury a 33-0 lead at half time.

Chinnor again started brightly and, just like the first half, were awarded two penalties in quick succession but were unable to gain anything from them. The punishment for Chinnor continued in the 48th minute when the portly Stevenson, having replaced Billy Burns, strolled through a huge gap in the Chinnor defence and offloaded nicely to Sebastian Rodwell who dotted down by the posts. Jackson’s conversion gave the home side a 40-0 lead.

A Chinnor kick, deep into midfield, was fielded and returned with power and pace by the highly impressive Reuben Haile, who slipped in Neil Wilkinson for Hartpury?s seventh try on the 58th minute.

Chinnor finally got on the scoreboard in the 65th minute when, after a series of pick and drives, prop Andy Berry went over in the corner. Millett did well to convert from the touchline to make the match score 45-7 to the students. At last, Chinnor started to put some possession together but, losing the ball near the Hartpury line, Sean Marsden cantered over for Hartpury’s eighth try on the 78th minute. Jackson’s conversion saw the final score of 52-7 to Hartpury College.

Clearly a one-sided affair, Chinnor looked out of sorts right from the start of the match. Hartpury, with tough and aggressive forwards and a powerful and high paced backline, made Chinnor look porous every time they attacked. Chinnor had no counter-measure for the pace and power they faced. Reuben Haile for Hartpury had an outstanding match.

SOURCE: Contributed by Bill O’Donnell
PHOTO: Courtesy of Hartpury College

CHINNOR RFC seconds completed a season treble over local rivals, Henley, on Saturday. In another closely contested encounter, Chinnor came out on top 20-14.

Having beaten Henley at home in the league and then in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup, we knew this was going to be a tough challenge at Dry Leas.

The game started with a bang as Tristan Corpe ghosted through the Henley midfield defence to score a great try under the posts after only two minutes. The try was then converted by Alex Stephenson. Chinnor had the better of the opening exchanges but with seven minutes on the clock, Henley reduced the deficit to 7-3 with a penalty. This was to be a recurring pattern in the game with a penalty count stacked heavily against Chinnor. The referee’s interpretation at the breakdown left Chinnor players and official baffled.

With defences on top, it took until the 16th minute for the next score with Alex Stephenson converting a penalty from out wide, to make the score 10-3.

Henley then responded in the 26th minute with a well worked try scored in the left hand corner. A missed conversion left the score at 10-8 to Chinnor.

A string of penalties against Chinnor followed. With 25 minutes gone the penalty count was already 12-2 against Chinnor. However, the Henley Fly Half was having an off day with the boot and it was Chinnor who extended the lead through a penalty conversion in the 31st minute by Stephenson.

With a minute left of the half, Ed Rixon was yellow carded and Henley reduced the half time score to 13-11.

Henley started the stronger in the second half and deservedly took the lead, albeit for the first and last time in the game, with a penalty that gave them a 14-13 lead.

However, once restored to 15 men, Chinnor showed some real class. From a ruck in midfield, forwards and backs combined in flowing movements, leading to a great run and offload from Ian Stock to Corpe. His pace enabled him to rip through Henley’s backline defence and after standing up the fullback, he popped a pass inside for Max Williams to score. This was converted by Stephenson to put Chinnor ahead 20-14, a lead they never surrendered despite the continuing penalty count and a further yellow card for Ed Vickers.

Once again Chinnor showed true determination to win with great displays by Hastings, Vickers and Rixon. However, Man of the Match goes to Tristan Corpe (pictured) for his all round display.

UPDATE: The closing date for the South Regional Racketball Closed has been extended until Friday, March 1st,(12pm).

RACQUETS Fitness Centre in Thame will be hosting the prestigious South Regional Closed Racketball competition on Saturday, March 9. Full details as follows:

Grades:
A ? Regional / County players
B ? Club players
C ? Beginner / Recreational players
Over 50’s
Women’s

*please note, if you are female you are able to enter the graded competition if you prefer

Racquets warns that if they receive a large number of entries, they may need to play some matches on the evening of Friday, March 8.

Entry fee is