Category: Sports News

LEAGUE game – February 23: Thame United 1, Ardley United 2; Match report: (Contributed by Bob Dixon)- THAME United were defeated 1-2 by Ardley United at the ASM stadium on Saturday. The score-line could have been so easily reversed as Thame missed a first half penalty, but the visitors scored from the spot in the second half.

Thame started brightly and went ahead after seven minutes when Matt Hall hit a 25-yard shot, which to everyone?s surprise beat the keeper. Whilst well-placed, it was not a particularly strong shot but the surprised keeper, who may have been unsighted, misjudged it and Thame were in the lead. The home side looked sharper and, on 25 minutes Dan West was fouled in the box. Regular penalty taker Mitchell Meredith, who had a penalty saved in Thame?s last game, sent the keeper ?the wrong way? but his effort hit the foot of the goalpost, and bounced out of play. Ardley settled towards the end of the half but Thame were rightly still in the lead at half time.

The visitors came out ?fired up? for the second half and equalised two minutes after the restart when some sloppy defending allowed Troy Bryan to tap in from close range. The game ebbed and flowed and Ardley were looking more dangerous. Then, 17 minutes into the half, Phil Pykett made what even the visiting officials saw as a fair tackle in the box but to the spectators’ surprise Referee O?Shea awarded a penalty. He then unbelievably dismissed Pykett from the pitch. Steve Howkins scored from the spot giving lee Farrow no chance.

Down to 10 men, Niall Hodgkins moved back into midfield and Thame spent much of the remaining game penned into their own half. Ardley could have scored again but Nik Rhodes did well to head the goal-bound shot clear. Thame mounted the occasional attack and Ellis Hercules went close when he headed just wide from a free kick. All three substitutes were brought on to replace tired legs but frustratingly it was Ardley who collected the points.

Thame United: Farrow, Meredith, Pykett, Hercules, Rhodes, Hall, Connelly (Evans), West, Hodgkins (Davis), Gray (Johnston), Ricketts.

A group of former students at Lord Williams?s School, Thame, recently attended a reception at St James? Palace where they received their Gold Duke of Edinburgh?s Awards from the Earl of Wessex.

Their Awards were the culmination of several years involved in a range of challenging activities including expeditions, volunteering in the local community, undertaking physical activity and developing new skills and interests.

The proud Award winners were Sam Abbott, Martin Bloomfield, Mark Brougham, James Cheung, Emily Clarke, Matthew Hopgood, Oliver Jackson and Jonathan Scowen.
The students were supported by their parents, by Lord Williams?s School and Thame Community DofE (Duke of Edinburgh) Partnership Committee members, Wendy Bloomfield and David Doulin.

One of the participants, Jonathan Scowen, said:
?DofE was such a fulfilling experience, from which I have many happy memories. The presentation day
at St James? Palace was an amazing celebration of all we had achieved over the years doing the Award.

“It was brilliant to see Prince Edward and talk to him about our favourite bits, as well as hearing from
Richard Stillgoe, who hosted the afternoon. I would recommend the DofE Award to everyone and would like to thank the many volunteers who make the Lord Williams’s scheme so successful.?

Headteacher of Lord Williams?s School, David Wybron, added: ?To achieve Gold in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award represents a very impressive achievement. Our
students have been successful because of their strength of character, resourcefulness, enjoyment of
teamwork and service to others. They will be joining a special band of young people.”

This year a further 20 students at Lord Williams?s are pursuing their Gold Award, with a further 65
students working at Silver level and 126 students working towards their Bronze Award – all made possible by the continued support of local volunteers and a wide range of community organisations, clubs and societies that welcome the young people into their regular activities.

LEAGUE game: 16/02/13 – Thame United 3, Wokingham & Emmbrook 2; MATCH REPORT – In an entertaining match, Thame United defeated Wokingham & Emmbrook 3-2 at the ASM Stadium on Saturday. The win strengthens United?s sixth place league position, with Wokingham currently lying in seventh place.

Although first half possession was fairly even, United?s keeper, Lee Farrow, was not really tested whilst the opposing keeper was far busier. After 15 minutes Luke Ricketts created a good chance when he collected a throw from Farrow and ran along the left wing before cutting in and unleashing a shot which hit the far post before rebounding to Ben Connelly, whose reactive shot was wide.

Thame were looking dangerous and a Ben Gray shot forced a first class save from the Wokingham keeper. With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Thame were awarded a penalty when Gray was felled in the box, but the on-form keeper did well to save Mitchell Meredith?s spot kick. Thame?s breakthrough came a minute before the break when Alex Stewart met a low Ricketts cross with a 15-yard shot into the far corner.

The visitors came out fired up for the second half and put Thame under pressure hitting the crossbar after two minutes. They equalised on 57 minutes when Matt Jones headed in a high cross from the right at the far post. Thame recovered, and once again created more chances with Dan West, Stewart, and Ricketts all going close. On 80 minutes Farrow made an excellent save from a strong long range shot.

United?s second goal came on 86 minutes when a Ricketts corner was headed down and Gray forced the ball home from close range. The best goal of the Match came two minutes later. The ball ran loose and bounced in front of West who reacted quickly to hit a blistering 20-yard shot, giving the keeper no chance. The visitors scored their second goal deep into additional time when Jones pounced on a defensive error and fired home.

Overall it was an impressive performance by on-form United, who have only lost one of their last 8 games.

Thame United: Farrow, Meredith, Hall, Hercules, Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, West, Stewart (Hodgkins), Gray (Jewell), Ricketts.

Thame are at home again next Saturday (23rd) when they face second placed Ardley United.

MATCH REPORT CONTRIBUTED – Saturday, February 16, 2013;
Chinnor 35, Vs Redruth 34. IN a tense and absorbing contest, Chinnor, ahead and in control for most of the match, just did enough to hold off the Redruth pack in the last quarter for a 35-34 victory, despite only having 12 men on the pitch at the end.

First score of the day went to Henry Colver for Chinnor with a penalty goal in the 12th minute. Redruth came back with a vengeance just three minutes later. Reclaiming the restart, Redruth swept the ball wide only to drop it in the act of scoring. Utilising their powerful pack to the full, they then forced a penalty try in the 15th minute. Penberthy converted to give the visitors a 7-3 lead. A penalty try so early in the contest was a portent of things to come.

Just a minute later, Chinnor?s invention, evident throughout the day, brought them dividends when they took a quick lineout. The ball was rapidly worked across the field to Hales who sprinted to the corner for Chinnor?s first try to put them ahead 8-7. Just minutes later, Chinnor were again on the scoresheet. Guilty of holding on the tackle, Redruth conceded a penalty in midfield. From the resultant lineout ball, Stoop ran hard at the opposition and released the perfect pass for Gilbert to power over in the corner for Chinnor?s second try and a 13-7 lead.

Redruth started come back in the match utilising penalty kicks for lineouts to employ their impressive rolling maul. Fortunately the Chinnor pack managed to defend the line on several occasions. On the 31st minute, Chinnor employed the same tactics themselves and were awarded a penalty 20m out from the visitor?s posts after an impressive 20m maul. Colver took the penalty goal opportunity to increase Chinnor?s lead to 16-7.

Two minutes later, Chinnor went further ahead in the match with a try from the again impressive Millett. A raking touch finder from Stoop failed to find touch and was returned down the tram lines from Redruth. Chinnor then whipped the ball through hands to Millet in midfield. His two dummies created sufficient space for him to sprint the line for Chinnor?s third try. Colver’s conversion put the home side ahead 23-7 on the 34th minute.

Redruth were then awarded a penalty in midfield on the 40th minute. Penberthy took the opportunity to reduce the Cornish men’s deficit to 23-10 to close the half.
Chinnor started the second half very brightly. From a Redruth scrum, Chinnor?s Frank Jones tackled his opposite number to dislodge the ball. The Chinnor back row reacted quickly to allow the ball to fly across the backs to Goode in the centre who danced his way to the line for Chinnor?s bonus point try on the 42nd minute. Colver added the extras for a 30-10 lead to the Kingsey Road boys. Redruth came back immediately when their fast rolling maul saw Dan Job touchdown for the visitor?s second try. Penberthy converted to make the match score 30-17.

Chinnor were not dismayed and a sweeping move across the park saw Gilbert touch down in the corner for Chinnor?s fifth try and a match score of 35-17 in the 56th minute.

Then began the Cornish comeback. Redruth open side Hambly chipped the ball into midfield space. Two covering Chinnor players were in position but the ball bounced handily backwards into the arms of the onrushing Hambly who nipped in for Redruth?s third try. Penberthy’s conversion reduced the deficit to 35-24 on the 60th minute. During one of many Redruth attacks, Chinnor?s Millett was yellow carded on the 67th minute and Waddingham joined him shortly afterwards. Redruth continued to press and only heroic defence from the 13 Chinnor men kept them from scoring.

The dam broke in the 77th minute when Williams went over for Redruth?s bonus point try and a match score of 35-29. Shortly after Millett?s return, he was again yellow carded for being offside at a ruck, reducing the Chinnor side to just 12 men. Fortunately Waddingham rejoined the fray shortly afterwards to give Chinnor 13 men again. This did not last long as in the 84th minute, Stoop was yellow carded and the Chinnor headcount was again reduced to just 12 men.

While all this was going on, Redruth continued to pummel the Chinnor line. In the 85th minute of the match Westren went over for Redruth’s fifth try to put the visitors just one point behind at 35-34. Penberthy stepped up for the conversion from the touchline. As the ball sailed wide, the final whistle blew and the Chinnor 12 and the large home crowd began their jigs of relief and delight at the 35-34 victory to the Oxfordshire boys.

This was an absorbing contest. Redruth have an impressive pack who are proficient at scrum and rolling maul. The Chinnor pack were tested thoroughly but showed their defensive qualities particularly in the last quarter when, unable to do anything at all to please the referee Mr Steele-Bodger and reduced to 12 men, they conceded fewer tries than the pressure from Redruth merited.

Ultimately, the game was won by Chinnor in two different ways. The Chinnor backs showed pace and invention to build a large lead into the fourth quarter. The Chinnor forwards showed steely reserve in coping with the enormous pressure from the visitors from Cornwall, particularly in the last quarter. Stoop and Goode were notable in the Chinnor midfield and, because the whole team cannot get a man of the match award, the privilege falls to Alex Waddingham to hold it on behalf of a team that loves to score and knows how to defend.
Scorers:
Chinnor: Hales T; Gilbert 2T; Millett T; Goode T; Colver 2C, 2PG
Redruth: Penalty T; Job T; Hambly T; Williams T; Westren T; Penberthy 3C, PG
Chinnor team:
Colver (Mountford 78), Fielding , Goode, Stoop, Hales (Gray 78), Millett, Jones, Winpenny , Holyland (Whelan 69), Berry (Pickett 45), Mowbray, Smith, Hughes (Sawyer 58), Waddingham, Gilbert
Replacements: Whelan, Pickett, Sawyer, Gray, Mountford

THAME Town Cricket Club have secured the services of South Australian, Deon Laubscher as their new player/coach.

Laubscher (21) is a British Passport-holding Australian who has played over 60 senior matches for Southern District in South Australia?s top tier Grade Competition (SACA).

Laubscher has progressed steadily through the grades and State age-groups and broke into the A Grade prior to Christmas, courtesy of a career-best 138* in the seconds.

SOURCE & PHOTO Courtesy of: www.cricx.com

A recent Charity Fitness Festival attracted almost a hundred people, including many who were trying a new fitness class for the very first time.

The event took place at John Hampden School, in Park Street, Thame, last Saturday, February 9, and raised

DIVISION Four: Thame Hurricanes V Wingrave Comets – Match report, Wednesday, February 13, 2013; AFTER an incident packed evening at Waddesdon, Hurricanes match was delayed. As the ambulance pulled out of the car park carrying a player with a broken ankle from an earlier game, Hurricanes took the opportunity to huddle together for a minutes silence to remember a recently lost friend and team mate – a moment to reflect the loss of Lauren and pull together the team spirit that runs through Thame Netball Club.

When the match finally started, Hurricanes flew out of the blocks taking Wingrave Comets by surprise. The shooting by both Helen & Lucy was inspired. Before Wingrave knew what had happened Thame were up by five points at the end of the first quarter.

The flowing three-pass routine between centre and shooting continued in the second quarter. Lyn & Sue ensured that when the ball did reach the other end it was intercepted and swiftly turned over. One of Wingraves? players took a fall and half time couldn’t come quick enough for them as Hurricanes lead stretched to 15-8.

Wingrave regrouped, made changes and fought back, slowly pegging back the goal difference to just three. With Nicole (C) feeling ill and no substitutes to draw on, the whole team pulled together and Nicole dropped back into defence and everyone moved position for the final quarter.

With everybody out of position and the desire to win so great, the final few minutes were fraught. A great team effort by everyone, although losing by one goal always hurts. Final score 23-24 to Wingrave.

SECOND MATCH – Division Five

THAME Cyclones v Wingrave: The Cyclones started well but wingrave took the lead in the first quarter. However, during the second quarter Cyclones stepped up their game and displayed some brilliant defending and movement down the court.

Cyclones continued to dominate the game during the third and fourth quarters and as a result of their good communication and shooting, won the game with the final score being Thame Cyclones 36, Wingrave 25.

MATCH REPORT: National 2 South – Chinnor Vs Canterbury; February 9, 2013; Chinnor RFC 31, Canterbury 18.

CHINNOR had to dig deep to overcome dogged Canterbury, and the team was thoroughly tested by a combative Canterbury side but eventually they ran out the winners 31-18.

With Waddingham and Sawyer unavailable, Jordan Wood was retained in the back row along with Tom Mowbray. David Hughes took the vacant second row berth. Canterbury were first on the scoreboard when Browne knocked over a penalty goal with three minutes played. Minutes later Canterbury were unlucky not to score a try when they just failed to ground a smart grubber kick into the in-goal area. Colver equalised for Chinnor with a penalty goal in the seventh minute to make the match score 3-3.

A short stab kick in midfield resulted in a penalty for Chinnor when Goode was tackled without the ball. This led to a series of rucks and mauls close to the Canterbury line. Stout resistance from the visitors was overcome eventually when Goode muscularly barged over for Chinnor?s first try of the day on the 19th minute. Colver’s conversion advanced the score to 10-3 in favour of Chinnor.

The game then switched very much in favour of Canterbury who were relentless in attack. With all the play in the Chinnor 22, Canterbury’s persistence was eventually rewarded in the 35th minute when Beaumont strolled over for a well taken try for Canterbury. With the conversion just short, half-time was reached at 10-8 to the home side.

Rested from their exertions of the first half, Chinnor came out in adventurous mode. A series of rapid attacks ended with Millett slicing through a gap for Chinnor?s second try on the 46th minute. Colver again provided the extras to give Chinnor a 17-8 lead. Canterbury however, was not deterred and just three minutes later, Marshall darted through unopposed to score Canterbury’s second try under the Chinnor posts. Browne’s conversion tightened the match at 17-15.

After a period of midfield stalemate, Chinnor began to gain territory and mount a series of attacks in the opposition 22. From a lineout and a series of rucks, the ball was worked rapidly from right to left into the hands of David Hughes standing in the left-wing position. The Chinnor lock showed surprising pace to run through his marker to score Chinnor?s third try on the 63rd minute. A difficult touchline conversion from Colver put the home side ahead 24-15.

Canterbury came back again, this time with a penalty goal from Browne on the 68th minute to close the gap to 24-18.

Chinnor finally found some daylight in the 69th minute when Millet?s gamble paid dividends. The 18-year-old fly half blitzed a Canterbury passing movement to intercept the ball and sprint on a good angle to the posts for Chinnor?s bonus point try. Goode?s conversion brought the match score to 31-18 in favour of Chinnor – which they were happy to defend until the sound of the final whistle.

Canterbury were clearly one of the better sides to play at Kingsey Road this season. They play with a high-energy relentless style which inevitably will cause gaps in defences. Their centre pairing of Devlin-Jones and Del Val were efficient and effective. Their scrum was more than solid and they defended the maul well.
Chinnor had their work cut out in murky conditions and survived a tough first half with well-organised and committed defence. Jordan Wood and David Hughes caught the eye with their tackling workrate and coverage of the pitch. Chinnor?s backs also had to defend for great parts of the match but offered just a little more in attack. Although Millett?s moments of magic which led to tries were notable in themselves, his Man of the Match award was made as much for his defensive aggression which saved Chinnor on a number of occasions.

Scorers:
Chinnor: Millett 2T; Goode T; Hughes T; Colver 3C, PG; Goode C
Canterbury: Beaumont T; Marshall T; Browne C, 2PG
Chinnor team:
Colver (Mountford 68), Fielding , Goode, Stoop, Hales (Gray 73), Millett, Jones, Winpenny (Whelan 64), Holyland, Pickett (Berry 55), Smith, Hughes, Mowbray, Wood (Hastings 70), Gilbert
Replacements: Berry, Whelan, Hastings, Gray, Mountford

MEMBERS of Thame Leisure Centre will have an opportunity to meet the centre’s new Manager, next Wednesday, February 13, at 6pm.

MATCH REPORT (Contributed): League match – 02/02/13; United 3, Highmoor Ibis 1 – AFTER a weather enforced rest of almost four weeks, Thame United met Highmore Ibis at the ASM Stadium on Saturday, winning 3-1.

United were without Luke Ricketts and Niall Hogkins whilst Ben Connelly, who is recovering from injury, started on the bench. Highmoor had won six of their last seven games so a close match was both anticipated and delivered. For much of the game Thame had the bulk of possession but the visitors were always dangerous on the break.

Highmoor was the first to score, when after 12 minutes Liam Ferdinand pounced on a defensive error and fired home from the edge of the box, giving Thame keeper, Lee Farrow, no chance. Thame countered and pressurised the visitors’ goal. The equaliser came on 29 minutes when a perfectly placed Dan West free kick from near the half way line found Alex Stewart whose intelligent glancing header hit the net, despite the keeper getting a hand to it.

Minutes later Ben Gray saw his shot cleared off the line by a defender. The teams went in for half time with the score 1-1.

United took the lead two minutes after the restart when Gray fired home from 15 yards. The game ebbed and flowed with chances at both ends. Stuart Barr was scythed down by a late tackle which the referee ignored, despite having booked several players for lesser offences. Barr was carried from the pitch and Connelly came on to replace him.

The visitors pressed for an equaliser and Farrow was forced to make some high quality saves. United?s final goal came in the last minute. The ball was played to Stewart who cleverly beat his marker and put Connelly through on the right, where he ran towards the by-line before squaring to Gray who finished confidently from 12 yards. The result sees United move up to sixth in the table.

Thame United: Farrow, Meredith, Hall, Hercules, Rhodes, Jewell, Barr (Connelly), West, Stewart, Gray, (Evans), Way (P Pykett)

The first team travel to Shrivenham next Saturday 9th whilst the reserves meet Binfield at the ASM Stadium.