Category: Sports News

MATCH REPORT (Contributed) League Match – 21/08/12 -Ardley United 2, Thame United 1: THAME United met with their first defeat of the season on Tuesday evening when they lost 2-1 at Ardley United. It was a fast, entertaining game between two evenly matched sides which either could have won. Thame won the toss and chose to play uphill with the low sun behind them in the first half.

After a few minutes play Thame defender Ian Pykett played a glorious 40-yard ball along the right to Dan West, who hit a dangerous cross close to goal, but a defender knocked the ball into touch milliseconds before Cameron Lagan met it. Thame scored from the resulting corner. Luke Ricketts hit a well placed kick and the unmarked Nik Rhodes met it with a strong 15-yard header into the top right corner. Ardley recovered quickly and equalised in the 25th minute when a passing move created the space for striker George Rednap to hit an 18-yard shot pass Thame keeper Lee Farrow. Play was even, and fairly uneventful until, a few minutes before the break, Luke Ricketts hit quality 25-yard shot which had goal written all over it, until the home keeper somehow managed to get fingertips to the ball and deflect it onto the post.

Shortly after the restart an Ardley player handled in the box but, despite loud protests from the Thame bench, the referee ignored the incident. Play was end to end with the home side looking dangerous ?on the break?. Farrow was busy, and made a particularly notable save. The Ardley winner game with 5 minutes left to play. They took a free kick, just inside the Thame half which defender Ben Thomas met with a glancing header close to goal giving Farrow no chance. During the final minutes Thame laid siege to the home goalmouth and another penalty appeal for hand ball was ignored.

Thame United: Farrow, I Pykett, Willet, Meredith, N Rhodes, Hayes, Barr, West, Stewart, Lagan (Rantle), Ricketts.

Bob Dixon

MATCH REPORT (Contributed): Thame United 3, Holyport 2; League march 18/18/12 -THAME United have now played four games without defeat. Last Saturday they met league leaders Holyport at the ASM stadium and recorded a convincing 3-2 win. It was an entertaining game which was won more comfortably than the score line suggests.

The game saw the welcome return of last season?s leading goal scorer, Alex Stewart. The win sees Thame move into seventh league place.

The game was five minutes old when United went ahead via a slick passing move which split open the visitors’ defence. Luke Rickets hit a pass from the left to the feet of Stewart on the edge of the box which was laid off to Connor Hayes who ran at goal, played a 1-2 with Dan West and then, unmarked at the edge of the 6-yard box, finished coolly by placing the ball low into the corner of the goal. Thame were in control, and a few minutes later Stewart was unlucky to see his side footed flick, from a free kick, tipped over by the keeper.

Ten minutes before half time Thame left sided defender Matt Hall was carried off the pitch with suspected concussion after a clash of heads. Cameron Lagan came on as right winger, allowing Matt Willet to adopt his normal right back position, and Mitchell Meredith to replace Hall on the left. Holyport missed a good chance a few minutes before half time, and it was 1-0 at the break.

Manager Mark West reshuffled his players for the second half with Lagan partnering Stewart ?up front? and Dan West adopting a more defensive role. The move paid off when, eight minutes after the restart, Lagan made a good run on the left before pulling to ball back to Stewart who hit a strong, first time, shot over the keeper from 15-yards. The visitors pulled a goal back on 59 minutes when Thame keeper Lee Farrow parried a shot from the left, which was probably going wide, onto the path of visiting striker Jamie West, allowing him a simple tap in.

United increased their lead two minutes later when Ricketts hit a 30-yard cross cum shot from the left which the keeper misjudged and the ball found the net. It could have been four a few minutes later when Lagan ran at goal, rounded the keeper, and hit a goal bound shot which a defender just manage to block. In the final minute Holyport were awarded a penalty for an offence which only the referee saw. Justice was done however when Farrow made a great save from the well-taken spot kick. Additional time seemed endless and, seconds before the final whistle, United conceded a soft goal when Jamie Wright bundled the ball over the line.

Thame United: Farrow, Meredith, Hall (Lagan), Hercules (Wakelin), N Rhodes, Hayes, Willett, West, Stewart, Barr, Ricketts,

Thame play at North Leigh next Saturday (25th) in the preliminary round of the FA cup. The next home fixture is on Saturday 1st September when they meet Clanfield in the FA Vase.

THE London 2012 Olympics has left Great Britain tingling with sporting enthusiasm and Thame is no exception. On Saturday evening it seemed all the excitement was concentrated into Thame Leisure Centre as everyone crowded round to capture a little piece of Olympic stardust.

Patron of Thame Swimming Club and alumni of Lord Williams?s, Olympian Simon Burnett, visited the swimming pool in Thame to talk to the swimmers and ?inspire a generation?. Simon was still recovering after competing in London 2012, his third Olympics. He has many medals to his name, from European Championships, Commonwealth Games and British Championships. Plus, he currently holds the British record for the 100m and 200m freestyle.

Arriving at the Thame Leisure Centre, Simon could easily have been mistaken for any member of the public, bar his Team GB kit and outstanding physique. He lives most of the year in Arizona where he trains. ?It?s very different being in Arizona, to Thame and Oxfordshire. I live in a dessert!? Simon explained. He admitted to missing his family. When he returns to England for competitions and for Christmas, Simon stays with his mother in near-by Tetsworth.

Having only been home for a week since the closing ceremony, Simon reflected on the Olympic experience: ?You can?t compare to previous Olympics,? he said, praising London 2012 on all counts. ?The food was the best of any Olympics. All the transport was on time; they just got it so right.?

However, the Olympics are a competition and as Simon put it: ?We?re all there to do a job.? How he described the collective focus of the athletes made me wonder what it was like living in the Competitors’ Village: ?Early on everyone?s really strict,” explained Simon, “sticking to their routines. But once they start to finish their races they get friendlier and you interact more.?

It?s incredible, the athlete?s ability to switch off their competitive nature and Simon knows this more than most having competed in this, and previous Games, in the relay team. ?We all train in different countries most of the year,? he explained, ?and ninety percent of the time we?re competitors but then when the competitions come round, the GB relay swimming team is close knit and we’re all reliant on each other.”

Having been swimming since he was at school, Simon smiles as he reflects on the number of medals he has accumulated, from minor galas to County Championships. ?I haven?t thrown any away,” he reveals. “They?re probably in a box somewhere.? He talks of swimming in every event at competitions and gaining medals for all of them. Having been swimming in National competitions from when he was sixteen yeas-old, was he successful from a very early age? ?when I was young I didn?t really achieve my potential, but on reflection, this actually probably helped me stay in the sport for longer and not peak too early.?

One thing that is clear when listening to Simon, he has a drive to teach others. ?I like explaining things, then seeing someone just get it,? he says. Yet you couldn?t place him in the role of gruelling coach. ?Swimming?s not an exact science, so I don?t like to tell people how to swim. You?ve got to experiment.?

This is something Simon is obviously very passionate about. He explained in detail to the younger swimmers how they needed to ‘get a feel for’ and ‘be in tune with’ the water. Then he shrugged, adding: ?swimming is more than just pure force!? He talked about his role as more a case of giving swimmers guidance, and taking the time to make sure they have it exactly right, adding:?I guess I?m a perfectionist but when I think I can make someone better, that’s very rewarding and gives me a lot of pleasure.? This precision and attention to detail is clearly a factor that has driven Simon Burnett to achieve so much in his career, and when a member of his awestruck audience told him he was an inspiration, he replied simply, ?I hope so.?

As well as bringing his expertise to the Thame swimmers, Simon donated one of his Team GB T-shirts, signed by the Olympic swimming team, to the Club, and some of his Olympic swimming hats.

As a member of Thame swimming club myself, I can?t think of a better way to inspire our swimmers than having a piece of the London Olympic legacy on our wall. As for Simon, this was his last Olympics and although he is looking forward to retirement, he assured everyone that he will still be “keeping in touch with the water.”

Greg Smith, a committee member of Thame Swimming Club said: ?We?re always looking for new, enthusiastic swimmers to train up to be the next wave of Olympians.”

Perhaps one of the greatest achievements of London?s Olympic Games will not only be the medals that have been won, but the medals that our future athletes have been inspired to win.

By Susannah Smith (ThameNews.Net Summer Intern)

MATCH REPORT: League match – 18/08/12 – Wokingham & Emmbrook 0, Thame United 0 – CONTRIBUTED

AFTER drawing their first league match of the season 2-2 last week, Thame United recorded a goalless draw on Tuesday evening when they travelled to Wokingham & Emmbrook. It was a game between two evenly matched teams in which defences worked hard and were able to snuff out the few chances which were created.

Thame started brightly and controlled the first 30 minutes. They played some good football and were sharper than the home club, with Adam Rhodes and Dan West both going close. Then Wokingham settled and created some chances of their own. Perhaps the highlight of the half was when a young Labrador decided to join in with play and eluded several players before returning to the terraces.

The second half was fairly even and again Adam Rhodes and Dan West went close for Thame. There was gritty defending at both ends and, following a Wokingham corner, a Thame defender was forced to clear the ball off the goal-line. Both goalkeepers were busy but neither was unduly stretched.

Thame United: Farrow, Meredith, Hall, Hercules, N Rhodes, Hayes, Willett, West, Barr (Lagan), A Rhodes, Ricketts.

Thame are at home to league leaders Holyport next Saturday 18th (KO 3.00), who have started their season brightly scoring 11 goals in 2 games.

MATCH REPORT (Contributed) 11/08/12 – Thame United 1, Newbury 0 – FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round:

THAME United progressed to the next round of the FA Cup at the ASM Stadium on Saturday when they defeated Newbury FC 1-0. The game was played on a warm afternoon which led to low energy and a lackluster game. Thame were without several regulars due to non-availability and suspension.

The home team controlled the first half, having more ball possession and creating more chances. The goal came in the 18th minute when United were awarded a free kick on the left. Dan West took the kick which was blocked and the ball came back to him, allowing West to hit a well placed high ball into the box. After two Thame efforts were cleared, the ball fell to Ellis Hercules on the right who struck a strong, low, angled shot pass the keeper from 10-yards. Newbury chances were few whilst, towards the end of the half both Meredith Mitchell and Adam Rhodes went close for United.

The visitors came out fired up for a second half in which United were forced to defend for lengthy periods. Thame?s best chance fell to West who hit a well placed shot from the edge of the box forcing a first class save from the visiting goalkeeper. Lee Farrow made several good saves for Thame but, largely due to some great defending, he was never really troubled. Newbury?s closest chance came on 90 minutes when a quickly taken free kick hit the Thame crossbar.

United travel to North Leigh in the next round on Saturday, August 25.

Thame United: Farrow, Willett, Meredith, Hercules, N Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly (Johnson), West, Lagan, A Rhodes, Hall (Rantle)

THAME Town Cricket Club suffered an agonising one run defeat against Cove at Church Meadow on Saturday (04/08). In a game that fluctuated each way and was hit by rain showers, Thame lost out on the winning points in the last over.

The home side got off to a great start after winning the toss and asking Cove to bat. The Thame bowlers, who had a poor game the week before, reduced Cove to 5 for 4 with Will Rooney claiming two, Sam Lachlan one and a run out. The Cove batsmen then slowly rebuilt their innings but a big score was never on the cards even when McLean and de Souza hit out at the end, and they ended on 169 for 7.

Thame started well with Rathod and Higgs putting on 32 before three quick wickets were lost. After this the innings was rebuilt by Manoj Parmar and Ed Barnett, but when they were out, Thame had to score at five an over to try and win the game as the rain had reduced their innings to 43 overs. Sam Lachlan and Harry Desai put on 31 at the required rate before an lbw decision in the last over ended Desai’s innings, and two balls later Sam Lachlan was also adjudged lbw going for the single that would have tied the match. The home side were shattered after fighting back in the game, and they now face some difficult away games to gain the points to lift them up the table.

Thame Seconds vs Kimble
The Seconds put on an excellent display to chase down Kimble’s score of 201.
Cian Davies took 5 for 37 when Thame bowled first, and when they batted Will Sutcliffe and Sam Alexander shared a match winning third wicket partnership to ensure a Thame win. Sutcliffe scored 117 and Alexander 46.

Thirds vs Horley
The Thirds secured a draw against unbeaten table-toppers Horley in a low scoring game. Horley were all out for 118 but Thame struggled to post a score and ended up on 85 for 9.

SOURCE: Contributed by Angus Lachlan

LEAGUE MATCH – 7/08/12 – Thame United 2, Flackwell Heath 2; MATCH REPORT: Thame United played their first fixture of the new season at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening drawing 2-2 with Flackwell Heath. Despite continuous drizzle it was an entertaining game with both sides playing attractive football. The only new face in United?s starting eleven was impressive goalkeeper Lee Farrow, who played for the club in the 2006/7 season.

The opening exchanges were fairly even but then Thame started to put pressure on the visitor?s goal. On 12 minutes Adam Rhodes forced a first-rate save from the visiting keeper. United took the lead in the 20th minute when a ball from the right found Dan West who, with his back to goal, played a beautiful ball to Luke Ricketts who confidently thumped the ball home from 15-yards. The home side continued to have the better chances for the remainder of the half with both West and Connor Hayes going close.

The balance of play was reversed in the second half. The visitors equalised 5 minutes after the restart when, as Farrow rose to collect a corner, he was clattered by visiting midfielder John Issac forcing the ball from his grasp and allowing Issac to force it over the line. Most spectators were expecting the referee to blow for a foul on the goalkeeper, but amazingly he awarded a goal. Flackwell increased their lead with 15 minutes remaining when a 15-yard shot from Adam Dickens hit the Thame crossbar and rebounded into Dickens?s path allowing him to place the ball pass Farrow. In the final minute United were awarded a corner and, with nothing to lose, Farrow joined the attack. He met the corner with an effort which was blocked and, as the ball ran lose, there were further shots and blocks before West fired home from close range. The final whistle blew seconds later.

Thame United: Farrow, Willett (Hercules), Hall, Meredith, N. Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, West, Barr (Lagan), A. Rhodes, Ricketts.

United are at home next Saturday (11th) when they face Newbury in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup, (KO 3.00).

SOURCE: Contrributed by Bob Dixon

MATCH REPORT (Contributed) – Farnham Royal vs Thame Town; Saturday, July 28 – THAME knew that they had to play positively at Farnham Royal, where a small boundary and good batting wicket would put a premium on their bowling attack. As it happened, the unusually fine weather also contributed to a batsmen’s game and the Thame bowling was not able to influence the game.

A total of 257 for 6 by the home side proved to be too high a total for Thame to chase in their 50 overs, as only Pratik Patel with his medium pace swing returned reasonable figures with 2 for 43 off 16 overs. J Khan top scored for Farnham with 82.

In reply, Thame started well with Neilson and Rathod, but failed to get any momentum as all top five batsmen got out after looking set to chase down the total. Once they had closed the innings down, the visitors finished on 163 for 7 to secure the draw. Vandit Jivrajani was 38 not out at the close.

Second XI
Thame Seconds just lost a high scoring game against League leaders Horley. Batting first, a young Thame team scored 220 for 6 with Will Sutcliffe hitting 76, Tom Hogan 48 and James Adams 30 not out. The Horley batsmen managed to overhaul this total however, with one over to spare, finishing on 221 for 6 with Sam Pearce hitting 71.

Third XI
The Third XI secured a draw at Kimble, finishing on 147 for 9 when chasing 180. John Phippen took 5 for 36 and Paddy Harris hit 33.

PHOTO: Thame’s James Neilson in action

IF you already enjoy cycling, or have been inspired to take it up for leisure, then Local Sky Rides could be just the thing for you!

Enjoy safe, friendly cycle rides in Bucks with Sky Ride Local.

Children keen to get out and about on their bikes?
Inspired to get cycling again but nervous about busy roads? Don?t know where to go cycling?

British Cycling have organised a variety of rides in Bucks on most Sundays until mid October. The cycle rides are free and are led by British Cycling trained ride leaders who are on hand to provide support and give you a few tips, whatever your age or cycling ability.

Sky Ride Local rides are designed to help adults and children enjoy cycling and the Aylesbury Vale rides are a part of those taking place across the country. Whether you cycle regularly or are perhaps thinking about cycling again after a long break, there are rides to suit you.

The rides are a fantastic way of exploring your local area and making new friends. There is no racing (sorry to disappoint you, Bradley Wiggins) yet children who join several rides may receive gifts as part of the Ride for Rewards scheme.

Sky Rides in Aylesbury Vale

Sunday 12th August
2 pm Stowe Explorer ? Family ride in the grounds of the magnificent Stowe House

Sunday 19th August
10 am Bernwood Strong ? Challenging ride on country roads from Swam Pool in Buckingham
2 pm Aylesbury Explorer ? Leisurely ride on residential roads and Gemstone cycle paths from Southcourt Community Centre, Aylesbury

Sunday 26th August
10 am Bucks Heritage Ride ? Cycle on quiet country roads from Quainton
2 pm Wendover Woods Easy ? Short ride for families on woodland tracks, Wendover Woods

Sunday 2nd September
2 pm Riverside Meander ? Gentle ride for families on the banks of the River Thame in Aylesbury

Sunday 9th September
2 pm Phantom Swanbourne Station ? Leisurely ride on quiet roads and tracks from Winslow

Sunday 16th September
2 pm Aylesbury Explorer ? Leisurely ride on residential roads and Gemstone cycle paths from Southcourt Community Centre, Aylesbury

Sunday 23rd September
10 am Bernwood Strong ? Challenging ride on country roads from Swam Pool in Buckingham

Sunday 30th September
2 pm Phoenix Trail Steady ? Leisurely ride for families along the fabulous Phoenix Trail from Princes Risborough Rail Station

Sunday 7th October
2 pm Riverside Meander ? Gentle ride for families on the banks of the River Thame in Aylesbury

Sunday 14th October
2 pm Wendover Woods Steady ? Ride for families on woodland tracks, Wendover Woods

For further details of all rides available and to register visit www.goskyride.com

EX Lord Williams’s boy, Simon Burnett, announced his retirement from competitive swimming today, after a disappointing result for him and the rest of GB’s Olympic 4x100m freestyle relay on Sunday.

The team came 12th in the heats, failing to make the final in what was Simon’s third Olympic games.

Simon, 29. who is the Patron of Thame Swimming Club, leaves with his head held high though, as a double Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and still the holder of the British record for both the 100m and the 200m freestyle.

Simon intends to return to live in the United States, where he has studied and trained since he was a teenager.

PHOTO: Flash back: Simon Burnett with members of Thame Swimming Club when he first became their patron