Category: Sports News

CHINNOR RFC have a very important play off this Saturday, at their Kingsey Road ground, where they will be playing Tonbridge Juddians, to win promotion to National 2 South, the fouth tier of Rugby in England.

And they want as many people as possible to go along to Kingsey Road on Saturday and cheer the local boys on to victory.

Chinnor have arrived at the edge of this pinnacle by finishing second in their league, the run up to which included a 20 match winning streak, scoring over 1000 points over 26 matches, and winning the Oxfordshire Senior Rugby Cup for the third year in a row. Their second team too reached their season zenith when they beat Henley 13-10 in the final!

Chinnor RFC Spokesman, Jamie Hazeldine, told ThameNews.Net: “If we are succesful, this will be a fantastic achievement for both the club and Thame as a whole, as we will get extra exposure at a higher level, with more people coming to watch our matches.

“As with the football club, cricket club and hockey club, Thame is blessed with some great facilities and sports teams and I think it is important that we can celebrate these as much as possible.”

KEV Schleising, from Thame, talks about what inspired him to enter the London Marathon, how he trained – and the reality on the day.

I have lived in Thame all my life (32 years) and have had a keen interest in sport and fitness throughout, playing local football for Chinnor Exiles. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was a one year-old but have been lucky enough to be in a position to manage the condition and not allowed it to stop me do anything I’ve set my mind to.

However my mum, Sheila Schleising, who has had an active role in the community, has been less fortunate and Asthma has had a bigger impact on her life with numerous trips to Doctors and Hospitals which are becoming more frequent as she ages (she’ll love me for saying that!). Because of this I decided to run the Marathon for Asthma UK.

Training

I wouldn?t consider myself a runner, but felt the chance to run a marathon, whilst raising money for charity was a challenge I couldn?t turn down. Upon acceptance on the Asthma UK Marathon team I devised a training plan that I would follow to ensure success, running three times a week, building up the distance as time went on. Unfortunately, with a busy work life and a young family (including a new born), time to train was hard to come by. However, I did cover over 400 miles of the 560 I had set out to achieve. During the training I suffered tendinitis in one foot, two strange lumps appearing by my ankle and a couple of blisters but I didn?t let this deter me.

Race day

On the day of the Marathon I felt mixed emotions; excitement to compete but nervous that I wouldn?t complete the course. The atmosphere at the start eased my mind, as a lot of people had the same jumbled emotions. I set off at a steady pace and the crowd lined the streets right from the start. I felt strong for the first half and seeing my wife, my son Samuel and friends on Tower Bridge gave me a well required boost. A few miles later, the challenge began and the pain kicked in. There were several moments were I wanted to stop but seeing all the good causes that people were raising money for, and hearing the reasons why, helped me through. I had to take a mile at a time and these small steps made it achievable. On reaching Big Ben I knew the challenge was nearly over. Turning the final bend and seeing the finishing line was a huge relief. The whole experience was overwhelming but humbling at the same time.

The marathon was one of the hardest things I have ever done but I would recommend anyone to take up the challenge. I have so far raised approaching

RUGBY: Nat 3SW: Saturday, April 21: Chinnor v Chippenham – MATCH REPORT – Chinnor?s 40-28 victory at home against Chippenham was no easy matter but gets them through to the play off for promotion to National 2 South.

Even though Chippenham were down to 14 men with just seven minutes played when lock, Adrian Price was red carded for punching, Chinnor were continually tested by the more than competent side from Wiltshire.

Chippenham began the scoring on 14 minutes when a catch and drive was driven over for Lyons to touch down. Sam Saunders? conversion gave Chippenham a 7-0 lead. Chinnor responded just three minuteslater when a simple passing movement saw Seymour outpace the defence to score in the corner. Cathcart?s conversion from touch brought the scores level at 7-7.

Chippenham kept up their pick and drive tactics and, from a position in front of gaol and courtesy of some poor tackles, saw Crockett touch down under the posts. Saunders? conversion gave Chippenham a 14-7 lead. Chinnor were struggling to get possession of the ball and a series of handling errors kept giving the ball back to Chippenham.

It was not until the 34th minute that Chinnor came back into the match by way of some soccer skills from scrum half Frank Jones. A downfield kick bounced backwards to the on rushing Jones who side footed the ball past the defender, ran past him and picked up the ball and dived over the line. With the conversion drifting off in the strong breeze, the Chippenham lead at half time was 14-12.

Four minutes into the second half, Pickett scored the third try for Chinnor from a line out catch and drive close to the Chippenham line. Cathcart again converted from the touchline to put Chinnorahead for the first time in the match by 19-14. With Chippenham down to 13 men with Snape?s yellow card, Chinnor elected for a scrum for a not releasing penalty. Gilbert picked up from the base and drove over for Chinnor?s bonus point try. Cathcart?s trusty boot increased Chinnor?s lead to 26-14. Chippenham would not give up and their forwards pounded away and released prop Tom Dunn to score on the foot of the post. Saunders? conversion reduced the deficit to 26-21 in favour of Chinnor.

In the 67th minute, Chinnor?s pressure on the Chippenham line paid off when Gray jumped athletically to flick an overhead pass to the unmarked Harrison who dotted down by the corner flag. Again Cathcart converted from the touchline to increase Chinnor?s lead to 33-21. From a lineout, quick ball saw Powell, on for the injured Seymour, bemuse the opposing defence to beak the line and hand off to the galloping Waddingham to score under the posts. Cathcart increased the lead to 40-21. Chippenham were not dead. From a quick tap penalty, hooker Turner powered over and Saunders? conversion was the final score of the game leaving Chinnor with a 40-28 victory.

Chippernham, much changed from the first match of the season, were a competitive outfit and, with 15 men, might havepushed Chinnor even closer. If they play the same next season, they can expect to finish much higher up the league. In Lyons and Crockett, they have two excellent players.

Chinnor looked out of sorts at times and were guilty of errors of precision. They were rattled by the cohesive work of the Chippenham forwards and appeared a bit nervous. However, there were enough flashes of their abilities at crucial times to fashion scores when needed. Cathcart exercised good control, landed difficult touchline conversions andWaddingham again was colossal. Jackman pilfered good ball on the ground.

Next week sees Chinnor play Tonbridge Juddians in the play off match for promotion to National 2 South. It?s a home match for Chinnor with a 2.30pm kick off.

Scorers:
Chinnor: Seymour T; Jones T; Pickett T; Gilbert T; Harrison T; Waddingham T; Cathcart 5C
Chippenham: Lyons T; Crockett T; Dunn T; Turner T; Saunders 4C

Chinnor team:
Chase, Seymour (Powell 40), Colver, Stoop, Gray, Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny, Tattersall (Whelan 40), Pickett, Jackman, Mowbray, Harrison (Hastings 68), Waddingham, Gilbert
Replacements: Whelan, Hastings, Powell

Contributed by Bill O’Donnell

HADDENHAM Runners will soon be treading the roads and paths in the Buckinghamshire Countryside once more. Club Captain Steve ?Floella? Benjamin has decreed that the 2012 season will start on Thursday, May 3, meet at the usual place, the cricket club car park in Cuddington for 7pm.

?Floella? has planned yet another grueling but fair schedule for the Summer, keeping the runners on their toes, enabling them to prepare for local events, such as the Thame 10k.

The usual faces will be on hand to offer advice and training tips, including local Professional, John ?The Pro? Lacey, Dave ?Lewis? Collins and possibly Graham ?Chips? Turner.

Haddenham runners always welcome old and new faces. Catch a run by meeting at the Cricket club car park in Cuddington, 7pm Thursdays from May onwards.

SOURCE; Contributed

LEAGUE match 14/4/12 – Slimbridge 2 Thame United 0 (away); Match report by Bob Dixon. THAME United travelled to Gloucestershire based, Slimbridge last Saturday where they were defeated 2-0. Although United had the bulk of possession they were unable to penetrate the home side?s well organised defence and did not really stretch the home goalkeeper.

Thame had the better of the opening exchanges, and Luke Ricketts created a good chance when he hit a low cross hard across the goal which beat the keeper but Lewis Cordice narrowly missed knocking it in at the far post. The home side?s first goal came after 12 minutes with a sweet curled 20-yard shot from striker Alex Higgs. United pressurised the Slimbridge goal for the remainder of the half with Dan West and Luke Rickets going close. Te ball rarely left the home side?s half and Thame forced five corners to Slimbridge?s nil.

Possession was more even after the restart. The home team?s second goal came in the 77th minute when, following a Thame attack, a long ball was played to substitute Jamie Martin who beat his marker and ran at goal before stroking the ball pass United?s keeper Mike Higgs. Minutes later Cordice was unlucky to see his scissors kick sail over the bar. Ben Gray also went close and, at the other end, Higgs made a good save to deny Slimbridge a third.

Thame United: Higgs, I Pykett, Hall (P Pykett), Willett, N Rhodes, A Rhodes, Connelly, West, Cordice (Sykes), Grey, Ricketts.

United face another trip to Gloucestershire next Saturday (21st), when they play their last game of the season at high flying Shortwood United.

RUGBY: National 3 SW – Saturday, April 14, 2012: Chinnor RFC 30 Vs. Newton Abbot 5; MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bill O’Donnell.

ALTHOUGH this 30-5 victory for Chinnor at Newton Abbot takes them another step closer to a promotion play off match, it will chiefly be remembered for its amazing weather conditions.

Just two minutes into the match, which had started in sunny weather, the All Whites Mortimore was yellow carded for some misbehaviour at a scrum. Chinnor?s first score came in the eighth minute when a slick backs move saw Chase crash over for a try. Cathcart?s conversion gave Chinnor a 7-0 lead. On the 15th minute, a Newton Abbot infringement saw Cathcart increase the Chinnor lead to 10-0 with a penalty goal.

At this point, the skies darkened, the lightning flashed and a thunderclap loud enough to wake the dead saw the start of a relentless hailstorm. Remarkably, the hailstorm continued for 20 minutes covering areas of the pitch with a layer of chipped ice. When the hail ceased, the rain came down hard for the remainder of the match.

Needless to say, this extreme weather dampened down any sort of adventure. Chinnor began a pick and drive game and it took until the 30th minute for the next score, a penalty goal for Chinnor by Cathcart to increase the Chinnor lead to 13-0. Shortly before half time, Chinnor forced an overlap to allow Seymour a try in the corner. At half time, Chinnor led 18-0.

Chinnor had most of the possession in the early part of the second half and were held up several times short of the Newton Abbot line. The pressure eventually told when the referee, Carl Bennett, trotted under the posts for a penalty try, converted by Cathcart on the 49th minute, to give Chinnor a 25-0 lead. It was then the All Whites? turn to exploit the weather conditions. A crossfield kick held up in a puddle in the corner and Newton full back Josh Smith just beat the cover to dive and slide the ball over for a try for a match score of 25-5 on the 60th minute.

In the difficult conditions, both sides made a decent fist of the game but promising moves broke down with knock ons and dead stops of the ball in the many puddles. Chinnor, however, had the better of field position as they strived to gain the extra try for a valuable bonus point to further their chances of a promotion play off match.

Chinnor brought on last Saturday?s Cup Final hero, Alex Woodhouse, who duly obliged in the 78th minute with the bonus point try for a final score of 30-5 to Chinnor.

Newton Abbot, with several changes of personnel, battled well to contain both Chinnor and the weather. The Chinnor defence was solid for most of the match and they played the atrocious weather conditions well. Again the Chinnor back row, with Waddingham powerful throughout, played exceptionally well as did Trevor Powell, in for the injured Stoop. Powell?s ball retention and guile were important in combatting the conditions.

If Chinnor can win their final league match of the season, at home to Chippenham next week, they will be playing in the promotion to National 2 South play off match at Chinnor RFC on Saturday, April 28. Their opponents will be either Tonbridge Juddians or Ampthill, both tied on 101 points and who, poetically, play each other in the winner-takes-all last match of their league season.

Scorers:
Newton Abbot: Smith T
Chinnor: Chase T; Seymour T; Penalty T; Woodhouse T; Cathcart 2C, 2PG

Chinnor team:
Chase, Seymour (Woodhouse 60), Colver, Powell , Gray, Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny, Tattersall, Pickett (Whelan 48) , Jackman, Smith, Harrison (Mowbray 48), Waddingham, Gilbert
Replacements: Whelan, Mowbray, Woodhouse

RUGBY: National 3 SW – Saturday 07 April 2012; Score: Readingensians 22 vs Chinnor 22: Match report (Contributed)

Scorers:
Chinnor: Seymour T; Cathcart C, 5PG
Redingensians: Stapley 2T; Brown T; Swadling 2 C, PG

THE outcome of this replayed league match would probably decide which of the two teams would play on 28 April in the play-offs to gain the chance of promotion to National League 2.

At the final whistle, the match score was 22-22 – an outcome which favours Chinnor for the play-off place as long as they win their final two matches. The result now means that the Redingensians? fate is in the hands of others and they must hope for Chinnor to come unstuck in one of their final matches.

This was a pulsating affair full of physicality and determination. Redingensians had the first opportunity to score when in the fourth minute Shaun Brown’s penalty kick strayed wide. In the 14th minute Chinnor began a series of attacks resulting in a cross field kick from James Cathcart. The ball was caught just short of the line by Chinnor’s Pip Seymour. Chinnor then began a series of rucks which led to a three on one overlap for the visiting side just 15m out. As the pass came across for what seemed an inevitable try, Redingensians? Dom Gosling ran out and batted the ball away. For this offence he was yellow carded amid howls of protest for a penalty try. Cathcart slotted the resultant penalty to put Chinnor 3-0 up on the 15th minute. Just four minutes later, Redingensians went ahead in the match when a catch and drive ended with Rob Stapley touching down in the corner. With the kick failing, Redingensians led 5-3.

On the 21st minute, a midfield clearing kick from Redingensians was charged down by Matt Goode who, after a few paces, slid in a grubber kick to the line for Seymour to touch down for a Chinnor try. Cathcart’s conversion gave Chinnor a 10-5 lead.

Redingensians then began a passage of play where their monster locks drove at the heart of the Chinnor defence. The boys from Thame held firm with Waddingham, in particular delighting in knocking the big men back. Unfortunately for Redingensians, full-back Jevon Marsh was hurt in a tackle and had to be replaced by Guy Swadling. The pressure from Redingensians eventually told when Swadling converted a penalty attempt to reduce the deficit to 10-8.

Chinnor then came back in the match and just before half-time, Cathcart landed two difficult penalties to give Chinnor a half-time lead of 16-8.

Chinnor began the second half without the services of Matthew Goode who had injured his ankle at the end of the first half. Tom Gray came on as replacement.
Six minutes after kick-off, Redingensians attacked and opted to take a scrum 15m out from a penalty offence by Chinnor. No 8 Rob Stapley picked up from the base and brushed off three weak tackles to score near the posts. With Swadling?s conversion, Redingensians were now just one point behind at 15-16. With Redingensians monster pack beginning to gain the upper hand at scrum time, Chinnor replaced Joe Pickett with Tom Whelan in the front row.

On the 53rd minute, another long-range penalty goal was successfully kicked by Cathcart to increase the visitors? lead to 19-15. A few minutes later tragedy struck for Chinnor when, building pressure in the opposition 22, a pass was intercepted by fly half Shaun Brown who ran the length of the field to score under the posts. Swadling?s conversion now put Redingensians in the lead at 22-19.

On the 63rd minute, Cathcart landed another difficult penalty kick to tie the scores at 22-22. Both sides then tried desperately to win the match with Redingensians putting enormous pressure on the Chinnor scrum. The last 10 minutes saw intense Redingensians pressure but Chinnor’s scrambling defence managed to turn ball over at vital times.
At the final whistle, the game was tied at 22 all with the visitors from Thame looking better pleased than their opponents.

This was perhaps Chinnor’s most physical encounter of the season so far. Redingensians have perhaps the largest front five of any team at this level in the country. Their physicality knocks holes in the opposition and it is no wonder that their No 8 Rob Stapley leads the try scoring table for this league. They will be disappointed to have outscored Chinnor by three tries to one and not win.

Chinnor at times showed flashes of real skill and brilliance but spent most of the match involved in a war of attrition. They did well to resist the physicality of their opponents and Waddingham, in particular, was outstanding in tackling to ground anyone carrying the ball. This will be Chinnor’s highest tackle count of the season. However the trusty boot of James Cathcart was enough to keep Chinnor in the driving seat for the promotion play-off berth. So although not a victory, this was not a defeat and so was a very good result for Chinnor. This outcome will heighten their desire to finish the season in style with the reward of a play-off match, provided all else goes well. And whilst all of this was going on, Chinnor 2s were winning the Oxfordshire Cup Final. Not a bad day for Chinnor

Chinnor team:
Colver, Seymour, Goode (Gray 40), Stoop , Chase, Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny, Tattersall, Pickett (Whelan 48), Jackman, Smith, Harrison, Waddingham, Gilbert
Replacements: Whelan, Hastings, Gray

LEAGUE Match (contributed by Bob Dixon) 09/04/12: Thame United 1, Ardley United 4

A crowd of 265 saw Thame United defeated 1-4 by Ardley United, in the last home match of the season, on Easter Monday. The score suggests a thrashing, but in fact possession was 50/50 and there was little to choose between the sides. The home side were however punished for defensive errors by clinical finishing from Ardley striker Ryan Brooks, who is the league?s top scorer.

The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges but, after a few minutes, Thame settled and Ben Connolly was unlucky to see his shot go wide. On 13 minutes Ian Pykett was wrongly judged to have fouled in the box and Ardley were awarded a penalty. Brooks scored from the spot sending Thame keeper, Mike Higgs the wrong way. Thame countered and Luke Ricketts met a free kick with a powerful header which brought an outstanding save from the visiting keeper. The home side equalised in the 36th minute when Ben Gray chased a high ball from defence and knocked it pass the onrushing keeper into the path of Dan West who finished well from close range. It was 1-1 at half time which was a fair reflection of the play.

Seven minutes after the restart the visiting keeper collected a corner and quickly hit a long ball over the Thame defence which Brookes chased and somehow managed to slide between Pykett and Higgs to claim Ardley?s second. Brooks claimed his hat-trick a few minutes later after a defensive mix up gave him the opportunity to knock the ball in from 10 yards. The home side fought back with Ricketts forcing another good save from the keeper, whilst Grey and Adam Rhodes both went close. Thame?s misery was complete in injury time when Pykett misjudged a clearance and knocked the ball into his own net.

Thame United: M Higgs, I Pykett, Hall, Chalmers, N Rhodes (Hocking), Hayes, Connelly, A Rhodes (P Pykett), Gray, West (Hunt), Ricketts

PHOTO: Thame’s goal scorer, Dan West

LEAGUE MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bob Dixon) 07/04/12
Fairford Town 0, Thame United 3.

THAME united returned to their winning ways at Fairford Town on Saturday (07/04,) when they defeated their hosts 0-3. Due to non availability, suspension, and injuries United were forced to make six changes from the side that played mid week, fielding three reserve players and even bringing Club Chairman Jake Collinge on as a substitute in the final minutes. It was difficult to play quality football on the uneven playing surface and, as assistant manager Frank Thompson remarked at half time ?the pitch had more bobbles than a woolly hat shop?.

After an encouraging start, Thame took the lead in the 15th minute when Brad Chalmers did well to rise above defenders and head in a Luke Ricketts corner from an acute angle. Thame had slightly more possession for the remainder of the half but there were few chances at either end, although Ricketts went close just before the break.

United controlled the second half. Their second goal came in the 50th minute when Ben Grey met a ball from his left with a glorious 20-yard volley, the ball hitting the far post before crossing the line. Then Nil Rhodes, Grey, and substitute Jacob Davis all went close to increasing the lead. It was however Adam Rhodes, recently returned to fitness after a lengthy spell out with an injury, who got Thame?s final goal, 15 minutes from time. Rickets made the goal by beating his marker and running to the left by-line before playing a superb cross to Rhodes whose hurried shot hit the same post before crossing the goal line.

Whilst Fairford are one of the league?s weaker teams this was a good performance by Thame. The players who usually play for the reserves were impressive, and have good prospects of many more first team appearances.

Thame United: M Higgs, I Pykett (Davis), P Pykett, Chalmers, N Rhodes, Barr (Hunt), Connelly, Grey (Collinge), Hall, A Rhodes, Ricketts.

MATCH REPORT (Contributed) Semi final ? Oxfordshire Senior Cup: North Leigh 2, Thame United 1- Tuesday, 3/04/12.

THE Thame United players returned from their Oxfordshire Senior Cup semi final clash with North Leigh, which was played at Oxford City?s ground on Tuesday, with their heads held high. They had lost the match 2-1 but every player had given it their all and, despite the fact that they had spent an almost an hour of the game with only 10 men, it was a very close thing.

The side from the Southern League took the lead on 10 minutes when striker John Mills found enough space to hit a strong 15-yard shot pass Nick Bennion, giving him no chance. United were on the back foot for a while and it looked that a heavy defeat was possible. Then, in the 18th minute Luke Rickets collected the ball in the middle of the pitch and made run on the left before hitting a perfect cross which Lewis Cordice calmly headed in at the near post. Five minutes later Bennion made good save when he parried a free kick but then reacted with amazing speed to block a follow up at point blank range.

Thame were gaining the upper hand, and Cordice went close when he met a corner with a header which just cleared the bar. Shortly after, Mitchell Meredith was scythed down in the box but the referee ignored Thame?s penalty appeals. The game was getting physical and after 30 minutes, Connor Hayes received a blatant elbow in the face, and the offender was booked. Alex Stewart then mistimed a tackle and was dismissed from the pitch. North Leigh?s second goal came just before the break when Bennion blocked a fierce shot but then Ben Reardon knocked in the loose ball.

The second half saw United determined to equalise despite being a player short. They created far more chances than their opponents who seemed content to hold onto, rather than increase their lead. Minutes after the restart Ricketts hit a 25-yard shot which struck the cross bar. Five minutes later a Cordice free kick went inches wide. Cordice again had a half chance which went agonisingly close. With 15 minutes remaining Dan West was injured in a clash with the goalkeeper and was replaced by Adam Rhodes. The plucky Thame side fought to the final whistle but it is North Leigh who will play to the final.

Thame United: Bennion, I Pykett, Hall, Meredith, N Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly (Barr), West (A Rhodes), Stewart, Cordice, Ricketts.

Next Saturday 7th April United are away to Fairford Town. This season?s last home game is on Easter Monday when Ardley United are the visitors. Entrance is free as the game will be the main attraction of a Family Fun Day which starts at 1.30 with a Thame boys U7?s match. There will be a bouncy castle and a variety of competitions for young and old alike.