Category: Sports News

MATCH REPORT – 10/03/12: Thame United 3, Flackwell Heath 0; (Contributed by Bob Dixon) SATURDAY’S entertaining game at the ASM Stadium saw Thame United defeat Flackwell Heath 3-0. The result went against the form book, given that the `Heathens? occupied 5th league place against Thame?s 8th. Due to a hamstring injury to Alex Stewart, the number nine shirt was worn by Lewis Cordice, who had an excellent game.

The visitors started brightly but it was United who opened the scoring in the seventh minute. A Ben Connelly pass found Cordice near the right corner flag; Cordice beat his marker and ran to the by-line before hitting a low cross across the face of goal which Dan West confidently knocked in. Both James Faulkner and Matt Hall forced good saves from the visiting keeper before, 10 minutes before half time, Thame extended their lead. Faulkner played a ball to Connelly which was intercepted by a defender, but the tenacious Connelly reclaimed it and centred a perfect ball which Faulkner skilfully hit pass the keeper from 20-yards.

The visitors rarely threatened the Thame goal in the second half and United?s slick passing created several chances. The third goal came with 25 minutes remaining and was a moment of pure quality. Cordice and a defender both went for a 50/50 ball and both of them ended up on the ground. It was however the Thame player who recovered first, collected the ball and after a short run hit a well placed 25-yard shot into the top right of the visitor?s goal. With about 10 minutes to play, a through ball found Cordice clear on goal but the advancing keeper brought him down with a deliberate foul. The keeper was dismissed and United were awarded a penalty. An outfield player donned the keeper?s jersey but, unfortunately for Thame, Captain Mitchell Meredith?s spot kick was wide.

Overall it was an excellent performance by Thame who, as a result, gain a league place and now occupy seventh position.

Thame United: Bennion, I Pykett (Willett), Hall, Meredith, N Rhodes (Chalmers), Hayes, Connelly, West, Cordice (Cowan), Faulkner, Ricketts.

United?s next home game is on Saturday 31st March when Reading Town are the visitors.

SPORT Relief is back ? and it?s coming to Thame. Sport Relief has a unique history of dedicated people doing extraordinary things to raise money for Sport Relief. In 2011 David Walliams swam the length of the Thames ? 140 miles in total! We recently saw John Bishop cycle, row and run over 290 brutal miles from Paris to London in just five days. Now is the time for local people to get inspired and support their local Sainsbury?s Sport Relief Mile events and be part of the biggest year in sport!

Members of The Lions Club of Thame will be outside Sainsbury’s in Thame High Street from 10.30pm with leaflets and information about how you can get involved with this year’s Sports Relief. There’s more information here about how you can walk, jog, or run either 1 mile, 3 miles, or 6 miles starting at the scout hut in southern road, Thame.

PHOTO: Courtesy of: www.sportrelief.com/the-mile

THAME’S Racquets Fitness Centre, have once again proved that their facilities are as good as any in the region, after successfully hosting the South Regional Racketball Closed Championships 2012, over the weekend.

36 players, including one lady, battled in four categories and 54 matches to win the title of South Regional Racketball Champion and gain free entry into the National Racketball Championships in May.

The Over 50s were well represented with eight entrants playing some great racketball. Four of them made good progress in the Main Competition and four playing in the Plate Competition from round one.

In the Plate Semi Finals Competition, Wayne Burns and Greg Watts played a close match to decide who would go through to the Plate Final. Burns finally took the match 3/2 (11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6). He then met Neville Glaister in the Final on the Sunday.

Another close match followed for Burns in the Final, but determined to win, he beat Glaister 3/0 (11-8, 12-10, 11-9).

In the Main Competition for the Over 50s, Gerry Burr and Geoff Collins met in the Final after beating their opponents, Graeme Slocombe and Alan Walker respectively in the Semi-Finals. Collins played well making it by no means an easy win for Burr to win 3/0 (12-10, 11-6, 11/7).

In Grade C, there were a few complete beginners and it was great to see their enthusiasm for the game and their eagerness to play. With six entries, the grade was split into two groups, with the winner of each group battling it out for overall winner. In Group A, Will White sailed through to the Final, winning both of his matches 3/0 against Jake Macklin and Russell Ford.

Although Chris Gunn put up a good fight against Anthony Clark, forcing two games to 12-10, 12-10, Clark was the stronger player taking the third game 11-7. With Clark winning both of his matches 3/0 against Gunn and Rebecca Munro, Clark went through to Sunday?s Final.

Sunday was a similar story for Will White, as again he sailed through the Final, beating Group B?s winner Anthony Clark 11-5, 11-6, 11-8.

Grade B was the largest of the four categories, with 16 players and 22 matches. In the Plate Final, Mark Webster faced Wayne Walker. Webster won the first game 11-6; Walker took the second game 11-5 but was not strong enough to take the next two. Webster won the Plate Final 3/1 (11-6, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8).

In the Main Semi-Finals, Chris Backhouse and Matt Compton played a very exciting match, which lasted almost an hour. The first game was close, where at 6-6, neither player could move away from the other until at 12-12 Backhouse took the next two points winning the game 14-12. The rest of their games were also very tight, but Backhouse was just too strong for Compton winning 3/2 (14-12, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 6-11) taking him through to the Final.

Backhouse met Dave Herron in the Main Final of Grade B, after his closely fought Semi-Final. Backhouse was on fire in the Final, beating Herron 3/0 (11-3, 11-4, 11-6) to take the title.

In Grade A there was some fantastic racketball played throughout the weekend, in particular the final match. With a crowded balcony and many players who were knocked out on Saturday returning to Thame to watch, Paul Johnson took on the favourite, Tom Phipps in the deciding match to see who would be crowned South Regional Racketball Champion.

After a closely fought first game, in which Johnson won 12-10, Phipps stepped up a gear and smashed through the next two games 11-5, 11-4 to win the match 2/1.

It was a fantastic weekend, full of exciting racketball matches and some close games. Well done to all who entered and congratulations to all the winners!

Just follow the link for images and results:

http://englandsquashandracketball.com/news/south-regional-racketball-closed-report

SOURCE: Contributed
PHOTO: Tom Phipps with Amanda from England Squash

CHINNOR RFC, never firing on all cylinders, managed to run in eight tries in a 60-15 victory over local side Amersham and Chiltern on Saturday, to maintain their 100% playing record this season.

MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bill O’Donnell)

WITH Mark Chase unavailable and Harry Jackman injured, Nick Harrison came into the back row and Tom Gray took the left wing position. The first score of the match was in the 4th minute when James Cathcart converted a penalty goal attempt for a 3-0 lead to Chinnor. On the 7th minute, Gray made a dart down the left side of the pitch and was held up but rapid passing of the ball across the pitch saw Gilbert canter in for Chinnor’s first try of the afternoon. Nine minutes later, a line out after a penalty for Chinnor saw Matthew Goode increase Chinnor’s lead to 13-0, dancing a clean line from the 22 to the posts. Cathcart’s conversion further increased the lead to 15-0.

After this initial bout of scoring, the game settled down with the energetic home side committed to a high paced game and putting Chinnor under some pressure, forcing mistakes and turnover ball. This pressure eventually led to Chiltern?s first score of the day, a try in the 37th minute from fly half Tom Smalley, which he also converted, to reduce the deficit to 15-7. The last play of the half saw Goode again take a clean line through the home defence to dot down under the posts, and with Cathcart’s conversion, give Chinnor a half-time lead of 22-7.

Chiltern started the second half brightly and after a series of rucks in the 22, got the ball back to fly half Tom Smalley to drop a goal and reduce the deficit to 22-10 on the 43rd minute. Three minutes later, Chinnor scored their bonus point try after a break from scrum-half Jones. Harrison took the ball to the try line and deftly offloaded to the supporting Pickett to score in the corner. Cathcart did well to convert the try from the touchline in high winds to increase Chinnor’s lead to 29-10. Chiltern were not to be outdone however and came back strongly. They camped out 10m from the Chinnor try line for a period of time ending with a yellow card for Chinnor’s Stoop for offside and a try in the corner for Hogan to make the match score 29-15 to the visitors from Thame.

Chinnor then mounted a series of attacks and thought they had scored but for the referee to award a 5m scrum instead. The Chinnor pack managed to drive back their opponents to make the try for Gilbert, at the back of the scrum, a formality. Cathcart’s conversion increased Chinnor’s lead to 36-15. Another penalty goal from Cathcart further increased the lead to 39-15. On the 66th minute, a quick tap penalty from Jones and quick passing saw the ball in the hands of winger Corpe who scored wide out. Cathcart again did well to convert and increase the Chinnor lead to 46-15. Direct from the restart, Harrison caught the ball and set off on a 60m burst up the field. A long pass from the resultant ruck saw Corpe canter in for Chinnor’s seventh try, again well converted by Cathcart, for a 53-15 lead to Chinnor on the 70th minute. Chinnor’s last action of the match was the hat-trick try from Corpe. From a scrum on Chiltern’s 22, a blindside half break from Jones fed Waddingham who carried well to feed Colver who then put Corpe in clear space for a diagonal run to the posts. Cathcart’s conversion made the final score 60-15 to Chinnor.

Amersham and Chiltern play in a style and in a manner that belies their lowly league position. They play fast attacking rugby and put Chinnor under periods of considerable pressure. They look to be too good a side to be flirting with relegation.

Chinnor only hit top gear in the last 15 minutes of this match. For most of the match their normal accuracy in passing, carrying and tackling was adversely affected. About five tries were left unscored because of fumbles, inaccurate passes and knock ons. Some credit must be given to Chiltern for their energetic contesting in all phases of play and the playing conditions of rain and gusting wind did not help. However scoring eight tries is no mean feat and maintains this season’s impressive playing record. Goode scored two clever tries and Harrison caught the eye for his defensive work allied to good and non-stop linking play with the backs.

With Redingensians? defeat of Bournemouth, Chinnor are now just one point behind the leaders with a game in hand and 100% playing record. It suggests that the match at Bournemouth on March 24, will be decisive in determining this year’s championship although Redingensians would clearly still like to have some say in the outcome.

Scorers:
Amersham and Chiltern: Smalley T, C, DG; Hogan T
Chinnor: Gilbert 2T; Goode 2T; Pickett T; Corpe 3T; Cathcart 7C, 2PG

Chinnor team:
Colver, Gray, Goode, Stoop (Hopwood 62), Corpe, Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny , Tattersall, Pickett (Whelan 65), Mowbray, Smith, Harrison, Waddingham, Gilbert (Hastings 62)
Replacements: Whelan, Hastings, Hopwood

THE message from Thame and District Lions, who are coordinating a sport relief event on the March 25, is: “Come and join us!”

The club is anticipating that up to 250 people of all ages will walk, jog, or run either 1 mile, 3 miles, or 6 miles starting at the scout hut in southern road, Thame.

The Lions launched the event on Saturday (25/02, with the help of the Mayor Councillor David Bretherton, Councillor Don Butler, and Jason and his staff from Sainsburys who sponsor the event; and not forgetting Co Co the labrador!

Lions’ President, Ken Babington, pointed out that there would be no main roads to cross so it’s an opportunity for the whole family to have a take some exercise and have a bit of fun together. There will be adequate marshalls on the three routes and refreshments will be served in the scout hut.

Ken Bennell, who is helping to organise the event, added “We are delighted that Thame has again been selected to host this exiciting event for the third time and we are looking forward to seeing hundreds of local people taking part to raise money for Sport Relief.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the Lions Sport Relief Mile should register on line at www. sportrelief.com
Mr Bennell said that the

Thame Lions Club is always looking for new members and if you would like to help with this event or any other events, please ring the president on 01869 247693.
If you would like to see what other things the Lions get up to they have a exhibition in the Thame Museum until the end of March and entry is free.

MATCH Reports: (1) Thame Hurricanes V Wasps – 29th February 2012 – In what has to go down as the game of the season, both teams started lively with early goals going in. The defence were producing some fine interceptions while Carol was on fire up the other end. With both teams going stride by stride against each other, the score was 6-6 after the first quarter.

The second quarter was as equally thrilling with some fluent passing netball from Thame giving them the edge. There were several nice moves but Wasps managed to stay in the game. Thame sneaked ahead at the break with the score at 11-10.

Going into the crucial third quarter Thame doubled their lead to make it 12-10. However Wasps hit back immediately, snapping at Thame?s heels. The match was back and forth all night, with neither team managing to get a big lead over the other. It was 17 all going into the final quarter.

The last quarter was the most thrilling of the night, with no one be able to predict the outcome. At one point it looked like Thame had lost it after going 2 goals behind. However, they showed fighting spirit to get back into the game. With seconds left on the clock Thame managed to clinch the win with a last gasp effort! The bell rang and Thame had won a fantastic match for everyone involved!
Score ended 24-23 to Thame.
Written by Bradley Rose

(2) Thame Cyclones V Racketeers Red, Weds 29th Feb 2012 – 1St Quarter -Racketeers Red started strong with some fast and precise passing. Cyclones tried to fight back with some purposeful interceptions but goals were scored quite quickly. The quarter ended with Racketeers in the lead.

2nd Quarter
Cyclones started well in this quarter and had elements of good play. Some good shooting from Lynne J and Becky F raised spirits. There were a few interceptions from the centre pass Cyclones used successfully for goal scoring opportunities. Jodie H also assisted the shooters by supporting around the ?D?.
19 ? 10 to Racketeers Red.

3rd Quarter
The quarter started off well with a goal to cyclones. Some tough defence allowed Racketeers Red possession early on. Good pressure from the Cyclones defence allowed Thame to get possession back. Racketeers Red responded to this with some quick passing and then some precise shooting gave Racketeers Red some quick goals. These goals extended their lead towards the end of this quarter. However, Thame fought back to end the quarter on a goal.

4th Quarter
Some good strong play allowed Cyclones to score two goals in quick succession. However, Racketeers fought back and match Cyclones goal for goal. Cyclones tried hard to man mark and defend the ball to keep Racketeers from scoring yet again. Becky F intercepted well and this led to another goal from cyclones. With Lisa?s encouragement of ?Don?t stand still? and ?ball high?, Cyclones were able to get more possession and have authority with the ball.
Cyclones ended the game 23 -33 to Racketeers.

NATIONAL 3 SW – Saturday, February 18: Chinnor 35 Vs Exmouth 3: MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Bill O’Donnell.

CHINNOR did well to maintain their current run of success in overcoming a competitive and energetic Exmouth side and the Atlantic squall that hit the first half.

With Harry Jackman ill, Nick Harrison came into the back row and Max Williams, after so long out with injury, made a welcome return to the team. Chinnor scored the first try of the day in the 7th minute when, with simple ball speedily worked across the backs from a lineout, Chase dotted down in the corner. Cathcart did well to convert from the touchline as the rain and wind began to swirl. Exmouth began to take the game to Chinnor and a promising midfield move led to their first score when Chinnor?s full back Henry Colver was yellow carded for not releasing. Andrew Powell for Exmouth slotted the penalty goal to reduce Chinnor?s lead to 7-3.

On the 18th minute, Cathcart chipped over the defence and Corpe, speedily following up, grounded the ball but the referee, mysteriously, adjudged the ball knocked on. The rest of the half was subjected to mid Atlantic storm weather with horizontal rain and fierce gusting across the pitch. Chinnor managed the conditions the better, keeping play in the Exmouth half ? much to do with some tactically astute short and long kicking from Cathcart.

Stoop manufactured Chinnor?s second try on the 30th minute with a perfectly executed short cross-field kick. Chase?s speed got him there ahead of the defence for a clever try and a 12-3 lead. As the half drew to a close, Cathcart sent through a well weighted short kick for Stoop who was illegally prevented from taking advantage. From the resultant penalty goal, Cathcart sent Chinnor in 15-3 ahead at the break.

Chinnor?s half time cup of tea was most restorative as they tore out of the blocks for the second half. A series of attacks saw a ruck a few metres out from Exmouth?s corner. Rapid ball across the field found the galloping Gilbert who cruised over for Chinnor?s third try in the 45th minute and a 20-3 lead for Chinnor. Exmouth continued to battle well with fly half Powell jinking dangerously in midfield to test the home defence several times.

The highlight of the match came in the 57th minute when Matthew Goode received an innocuous pass in his own half. Dazzling footwork left three defenders grasping air as Goode sashayed his way to the line for Chinnor?s bonus point try and a 27-3 lead, courtesy of Cathcart?s conversion. Exmouth continued to take the match to Chinnor and were determined to decrease the lead, whilst Chinnor were determined to defend it. Cathcart?s penalty goal on the 66th minute moved Chinnor ahead to 30-3.

In the 74th minute, Chinnor elected to take a scrum penalty and drove the visitors back enough for Gilbert at No 8 to touch down for Chinnor?s fifth try and a final score of 35-3. This score was a double blow for Exmouth as their fly half and most influential player, Powell, was red carded immediately after the score was awarded for some form of verbal offence.

Exmouth proved to be very determined and energetic but came up against a side who were well organised and masters of the difficult weather conditions. The Chinnor pack was defensively sound and did much to blunt their opponent?s energetic attacks, with the back row everywhere. Cathcart?s shrewd use of the boot was exemplary. Stoop?s passing was precision personified but Goode?s wonder try was just pure theatre.

Scorers:
Chinnor: Chase 2T; Gilbert 2T; Goode T; Cathcart 2C, 2PG
Exmouth: Powell PG

Chinnor team:
Colver, Chase, Goode, Stoop, Corpe (Gray 58), Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny (Whelan 63), Tattersall, Pickett, Mowbray, Smith, Harrison (Williams 58), Waddingham, Gilbert
Replacements: Whelan, Williams, Gray

STUDLEY Wood golf club seniors section today raised

OXON Racquets Junior Open – bronze sanctioned event, Saturday/Sunday, February 25/26, at The Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame.

Follow the LINK for more information.

THAME Leisure Centre is set to undergo a