Category: Sports News

ARE you a retired racket player, tennis, squash, badminton or something? Its never too late – why not become a Silver Server?

Visit: Racquets Fitness Centre’s website: http://www.racquets-fitness-centre.com/menus/main.asp?PN=Article&ID=248

AN INVITATION FROM THE THAME FOOTBALL PARTNERSHIP: Easter Bank Holiday Monday, April 9, will be a Family Fun Day with FREE admission everyone! Thame United are hoping to beat the best league attendance this season in the Hellenic Premier, when they take on seconnd place Ardley United at the ASM Stadium on Monday.

This will be Thame?s last home game of the Season. Come and enjoy all the action on the pitch followed by the fun and games afterwards.

It’s FREE admission for ALL so help us set a RECORD!

Pre-match entertainment will start at 1pm with two junior Thame boys sides playing each other on the ASM pitch, followed by the main match at 3pm.

A host of family fun events will then be arranged in the stadium including: CrossBar Challenge, Beat the Keeper, Penalty Shoot-Out, Target Shooting and Bouncy Castle.

There will also be a running BBQ from 5.30pm and the Sports Bar will be open all afternoon with Fun promotions, games and special offers for the Day.

So come down to the ASM, help us set a record and have a great Bank Holiday Monday.

MATCH REPORT: Contributed by Bill O’Donnell.
CHINNOR overcame the disappointment against Bournemouth with a devastating victory over Newbury. With a contribution of five tries, full-back Mark Chase helped Chinnor reach 1000 points for the season in overcoming Newbury blues by 92-12.

Chinnor opened the scoring on the sixth minute when an inside ball from Henry Colver, playing fly half in Cathcart’s absence, saw winger Pip Seymour fly through under the posts for the opening try, converted by Colver. Chinnor’s next score came in the 10th minute from a cross kick from Stoop. Newbury hesitated, thinking that the ball would trickle over the touchline. Chinnor’s left-winger Tom Gray however deftly side footed the ball along the touchline and picked up to score in the corner to give a 12-0 lead to the home side.

On the 20th minute, Chinnor destroyed the visitors pack at a scrum and number 8 Liam Gilbert picked up and dotted down in the corner to increase Chinnor’s lead to 17-0.

Newbury then profited from a Chinnor mistake when an inside pass was intercepted by Newbury and offloaded to flanker Josh Love who scored under the posts. With the conversion from Newbury fly half Dan Thorne, Chinnor’s lead was reduced to 17-7. Chinnor were further embarrassed when they messed up a straightforward scrum and allowed Newbury to pick up the loose ball. A chip and chase later, Newbury winger Max Spencer further decreased the deficit to 17-12.

These two costly mistakes then seemed to galvanise Chinnor who upped their pace to begin a try scoring feast. It began right from the restart when the kick was fielded by Mark Chase who casually ran around six defenders to score the bonus point try under the posts and increase Chinnor’s lead to 22-12, further improved by Colver?s conversion. On the 33rd minute, from a catch and drive, Alex Waddingham was driven over to score Chinnor’s fifth try of the day and increase the home side’s lead to 29-12 at half-time.

Just 55 seconds into the second half, from a high ball bravely batted back by Sam Stoop, Matt Goode went over for Chinnor’s sixth try of the day, converted by Colver to increase the home side’s lead to 36-12. Colver was next to score – again under the posts and converting his own try, Chinnor’s lead increased to 43-12. Some four minutes later, Colver repeated the act when, from a turnover scrum Liam Gilbert took the ball up and slipped it to Colver who casually strolled to the line. Chinnor’s lead was now increased to 50-12.

Gilbert was the next to score, prefacing Mark chase?s spectacular last 10 minutes. With Colver’s conversion, Chinnor’s lead was now 57-12.

Chinnor then took off Sam Stoop, Liam Gilbert and Joe Winpenny and replaced them with Will Millett, Nick Harrison and Joe Pickett. The game now changed to the Mark Chase Show.

Chinnor completely messed up a penalty scrum and allowed Newbury to hack the ball down the field. Mark Chase fielded the ball and set off on a mazy run at a casual stroll which saw him calmly dot down between the posts. Colver’s conversion increased Chinnor’s lead to 64-12. Newbury then kicked the ball long to Chase who just repeated the dose of three minutes earlier and again dotted down under the posts. With conversion by Colver, Chinnor now led 71-12.

Three minutes later, some nice backs play saw the ball into Chase’s hands and, with a sidestep here and there, he was over for his fourth try of the afternoon. Colver’s conversion increased the home side’s lead to 78-12. Chase then skipped over for another try, again converted by Colver to increase Chinnor’s lead to 85-12. The final score of the day came from the twinkling feet of Gray who danced his way through the opposition to score and leave Colver with the easiest of conversions to give a final match score of 92-12 to Chinnor.

It is difficult to set this match in context as Newbury, already relegated and fielding a young side were overwhelmed by the speed and precision of their opponents. Despite the mounting score, Newbury can hold their heads up with pride as they never stopped trying to stem the flow.

Henry Colver did well in filling in for the absent Cathcart and with 11 conversions was accurate with his kicking. The Chinnor scrum was dominant and eventually led, for the last few minutes of the game, to uncontested scrums due to injuries sustained by the Newbury front row. Sam Stoop’s distribution was again of the highest order and he was unfairly penalised on several occasions for forward passes that never were. However, if one man caught the eye, it had to be Mark Chase whose silky and pacey running skills simply bemused the opposition every time he had the ball. His five tries brought his season’s tally to 21 so far, despite missing a big chunk of the season.

With 1002 points scored so far this season, it shows that Chinnor’s try scoring ability has markedly improved.

Scorers:
Chinnor: Chase 5T; Gilbert 2T; Goode T; Colver 2T; Seymour T; Gray 2T; Waddingham T: Colver 11C
Newbury Blues: Love T; Spencer T; Thorne C

AS Thame Swimming Club prepares to celebrate its third birthday next month (April), the club Patron, Team GB swimmer Simon Burnett, visited the club to meet the swimmers and congratulate the Oxon & North Bucks County Championships squad on the clubs best year so far.

Simon raced the swimmers, who congratulated him on securing a place at London 2012 in the 4 x 100m Freestyle relay.

Thame won more medals than in 2011, the star of the show being Jo Hewett who took two Silver Medals for the Multi-Disability Class in 50m and 100m Back. Girls squad captain, Georgia Cahill came second in the 50m back final, taking home a silver medal and both Nacho Mendhi and George Finch won Bronze in the 50m Freestyle and 50m Breaststroke respectively.

There were also many personal best times and qualification times for the ASA South East Regional Championships in May 2012. Well done to all!

SOURCE: Contributed

PHOTO: Pictured:

Front Row (L-R): Ben Williams, Hallam Cozier, Lydia Devitt, Imogen Newell, Thomas Goetz, Elliott Riley-Brown, Marcus Birmingham, Harry Moore and Ella Simms

Middle Row(L-R): Coach Rob Briars, Florence Savage, Daisy Laye, Rebecca Smith, Alina Aaltonen, Beth Jermey, Hannah Hawken, Rory Price, Grace Gilmore, Susannah Smith, Rachel Newton and Nacho Mendhi

Back Row (L-R): Coach Ian Keys, Georgia Cahill, Jo Hewett, Coach Tom Birmingham, Emily Malkin, Simon Burnett, George Finch, Dom Holmes, Connor Lloyd, Liam Talbott and James Goetz

THAME Hockey Club have gone from strength to strength since they formed in 2007, and at this stage of the season, three of the club’s four adult hockey teams have achieved promotion!

The ladies’ ‘firsts’ have triumphed having totally dominated their league. See LINK. The men’s ‘seconds’ have secured promotion and if they win on Saturday (31/03), will win their league. See LINK

If the men’s ‘firsts’ win or draw on Saturday (31/03), they will also win the title. See LINK

The club was recently given a donation of

THAME CYCLONES VS THE RAGGY DOLLS – Netball- Division 5; Score: Cyclones 27 Vs Raggydolls 23. MATCH REPORT:

LAST QWednesday (21/03), Thame Cyclones played their long awaited re-match against the Raggy Dolls who currently are holding bottom spot in the league tables despite some great play from the new comers.

Thame knew a win was their only option with the season coming to an end and wanting to secure a mid table place. With Vanessa back for a trail game as shooter after some time out of the game, there was evidence of some nerves. With the game underway the first quarter saw lots of turnover from both teams with a goal for goal score line. There was lots of support both from the coaching sideline and from many of the TNC buddies from Team Hurricane (div 4) who had come to watch. Tension was high but the girls settled down, nerves disappeared and the first quarter ended on a tight 8-7 up.

With no change to the team line, out Cyclones went into the second quarter knowing there was a lot of work still to do. The Raggy Dolls were tight in mid court and made it difficult for Cyclones to get ball side or gain much possession. Sam in WD was marked tight and Cyclones found it hard to find space. Again the quarter was goal for goal with Cyclones missing a few opportunities to surge ahead but holding their own. The bell rang at 13-12 ? still incredibly tight.

With changes made in both defence and attack, Cyclones came out strong for the third quarter. With newly returned from injury Kelly Q back in form in defence after many months out, and a move to WD for Nic, our defence and midcourt felt stronger.

There was some good turnover and the lead increased slightly. Changes in shooter left Becky and Lynne trying to get the ball into the net and when this didn?t happen the Raggy Dolls got turnover from the rebounds. Amy and Jodie working together as C and WA worked as hard as ever in ensuring the ball entered the D as often as possible and the end of the third saw Cyclones in a small lead.

Tension was high both on court and in the galleys as the girls stood on court for the final quarter. Hang on tight, no mistakes, keep possession and score ? not a lot to ask surely? The girls did just that! With some great interceptions in and around the oppositions D from Jean and the rest of the defence coupled with some fantastic shooting the end was in sight. Cyclones did it ? a needed win 27-23.

CONTRIBUTED

TWO Thame fire fighters cycled a total of 200 miles on spin bikes on Saturday, cheered on by the passing public, in Buttermarket, Thame.

Martin King and Jack Shrimpton from Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame cycled for five hours, stopping only once for a loo break, in aid of Sports Relief.

Both lads, as well as being Trainers at Racquets, are also Thame fire fighters. So far, they estimate that they have raised around

CHINNOR RFC fans are in for a feast of matches during the Easter break. On Saturday, April 7, the first team are playing away to Redingensians with all to play for, being in the top two for the prospect of promotion!

The Seconds will play in the Oxfordshire County Cup final v Henley.

The Colts will be up against Bedford Academy at Bedford on Easter Mondaym April 9, at 3pm. The Bedford Blues won the Cup in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 and the Plate competition in 2009. Promises to be an interesting tie!

MATCH REPORT – Chinnor Colts 11 Doncaster 10 – Sunday, March 18; George Blewitt, Chinnor?s captain scored the opening try in a nail-biting National Colts Cup quarter final on Sunday. Chinnor?s outstanding defence forced Doncaster to kick, allowing Chinnor to counterattack.

Chinnor backs were creative but despite line breaks aplenty they finished the half with eight points, William Millet having added a penalty kick. Doncaster played a more forward orientated game in the second half, edging ahead with two unconverted tries. However, Chinnor?s replacement fly half George Grosse calmly kicked what proved to be a decisive penalty.

Doncaster fought to the death but inexplicably fumbled a scoring opportunity with the last play of the game.

The semi final will be against Bedford on Saturday, Aprul 7, at Bedford.

This means that Chinnor RFC will be playing three key matches on Easter Saturday. The 1st team play Redingensians in the re-arranged fixture following the game abandoned back in November when Ken Prinsloo suffered a broken ankle.

The 2nds will be defending the club?s holding of the Oxfordshire County Cup when they play Henley at Oxford University ground in Iffley Road, Oxford.

Such is the strength and depth of the players at Chinnor that they are able to turn out three quality squads on one day. Unfortunately the supporters will not be able to see all games! All support welcome whether in Reading, Bedford or Oxford. No doubt the clubhouse will be swinging into action when the three teams return home victorious.

SOURCE: Contributed

LEAGUE MATCH REPORT: Date: 17/03/12 – Holyport 3,Thame United 1. Contributed by Bob Dixon. THAME United were defeated 3-1 at Holyport last Saturday. At kick off, Thame were five league places higher than their hosts, having plated three fewer games, so, on paper, a defeat looked unlikely. United however did not play well, and seemed unable to develop their normal flowing game. The game saw the debut of Josh Cockrell in goal for Thame.

Thame started brightly, and within two minutes a Stuart Barr lob forced a good save from the home keeper. United took the lead in the seventh minute when James Faulkner hit a speculative 40-yard lobbed shot from the left, over the keeper?s head, the ball bouncing as it crossed the line. Against the run of play, the home side equalised 4 minutes later when a ball from the right was knocked home from 12-yards. Louis Cordice went close before a few minutes later; Luke Ricketts was badly fowled as he ran at goal. Even the home supporters expected a red card to be shown but inexplicably, the offender received a friendly warning. Thame were on the back foot for the remainder of the first half but it was still 1-1 at half time.

Possession was fairly even in the second half although chances were few. Twenty minutes after the restart Dan West forced an excellent save from the home keeper. Holyport increased their lead from a corner with a simple far post header in the 70th minute. With about 15 minutes to play Thame?s were reduced to 10 men when Mitchell Meredith was dismissed for a tackle which was not as severe as the one on Connelly. The home side increased their lead with a minute remaining when a 15-yard shot took a deflection, giving Cockrell no chance.

Thame United: Cockrell, I Pykett, Hall, Barr (Meredith), N Rhodes, Willett, Connelly, West (Wakelin), Cordice (Grey), Faulkner, Ricketts.

Thame do not have a game scheduled for next Saturday (24th). Their next home game is on Saturday 31st March when Reading Town are the visitors.