Category: Sports News

A SECOND round of funding is now available for Sports clubs in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire looking to extend or modernise their facilities.

In total,

RACQUETS Fitness Centre in Thame, is once again in the spotlight! Following on from it’s World Record breaking weekend recently, the centre has since hosted an elite open squash tournament.

The Smyth Associates and Technifibre sponsored tournament had A – E grades and attracted 60 players who competed for a

THAME Swimming Club members were in action at the Maxwell Swimming Club, Last Chance County Qualifier over the weekend at Aqua Vale in Aylesbury, and came away with a very creditable collection of medals and Times.

The squad were supported by Head Coach Dave Jones and Coach Sherri Cozier. The squad was made up of Girls Captain, Georgia Cahill, Rachel Newton and Hannah Hawken as well as Boys Squad Capt and Vice Capt, George Finch and James Goetz with Marcus Birmingham, Hallam Cozier, Elliot Riley-Brown and Nacho Mendi.

Space was at a premium at Aqua Vale as the refurbishment work is well underway but despite the squeeze, Thame swimmers had an excellent weekend with PBs and medals.

Nacho Mendi took a Silver medal in the 13 year-old age group for the 50m Freestyle in a time of 28.39 seconds. Both George Finch and Georgia Cahill re-affirmed their ASA South East Regional qualification times with Georgia taking Gold in the 50m Freestyle & Backstroke and Silver in the 100m Freestyle and backstroke.

George took the Bronze medal in the 100m Breaststroke. Marcus Birmingham achieved an ONB County Qualification time and James Goetz put in a good PB in the 50m Freestyle after a period away from training due to illness.

Well done to all!

SOURCE: Press release

CYCLONES Netball team – Match report 18-01-2012 v Quainton Sails; Contributed: THAME Cyclones started 2012 just as planned having the whole division lulled into a false sense of security with our first match of the year.

The first quarter ended 6 ? 9 to Quainton. Close, anyone?s game at this stage, with Jean at GK jumping and stretching to defend against a tall sharp shooter.

Second quarter 10 ? 16 to Quainton. WA Becky playing with great energy.

Third quarter saw the game plan really taking shape, despite Nic Renyard coming in with fresh legs in defence. Ended 15 ? 28

Final score 18 ? 41 to Quainton. A spectacularly disastrous loss fitted the game plan perfectly!

Cyclones plan to return to their fabulously strong form for their next match!

Player of the match awarded to Becky.

Team:
GK ? Jean
GD ? Kelly G / Nic
WD ? Sam
C ? Amy
WA ? Becky
GA ? Lynne
GS – Vanessa

MATCH REPORT – THAME UNITED 1, WANTAGE TOWN 1. Contributed by Jake collinge; WITH Thame Boys Under 10?s beating their Wantage counterparts 3-0 in a pre-match fixture on the main ASM Stadium pitch, Thame were hoping to make it a United double but, in the end, will be pleased to have come away from the game with a draw.

In blustery conditions, United played with the wind in the first half and immediately had the Wantage defence on the back foot. In the opening 15 minutes Thame had three good chances to take the lead, the best falling to Luke Ricketts who was unable to hit the target from the edge of the box. However, Wantage gradually came back in to the game and, on 31 minutes, won a free kick on the edge of the Thame box. Tom Malton, the Wantage skipper, hitting a curling shot around the wall that keeper Nick Bennion could only parry to the feet of former Thame striker, Danny Keen, who calmly finished from close range to give the visitors the lead. Thame endeavoured to get back in to the game before half time, with the best chance falling to Ben Connelly whose side foot from 8 yards went just the wrong side of the post.

United came out in the second half in determined fashion and, whilst they were now also battling the elements, again put Wantage under pressure. The best chance in the early stages of the half fell to Alex Stewart whose half volley on 55 minutes again went the wrong side of the post. Ten minutes later and the same player saw a header go just wide. With Wantage looking dangerous on the break, it looked as though Thame would fail to find the equaliser that perhaps they deserved. With 15 minutes to play, Mark West brought on Adam Rhodes and Josh Green, reverting to three at the back in a bid for the equaliser. Finally it arrived in the 86th minute when, after a goalmouth scramble, Adam Rhodes poked the ball home to the relief of most of the crowd. Wantage centre back, Tom Rowe, was then sent from the field of play for arguing with the officials over the equaliser and, with the clock ticking down, United forced a couple of corners from one of which Mitchell Meredith went close to grabbing a winner. As it was, United settled for a draw and travel to Shrivenham next weekend.

Thame United: Bennion, Willett, Hall (Green), Meredith, N Rhodes, Keeble (A Rhodes), Connelly, Hayes, Rogers, Stewart, Ricketts.

Thame United Reserves continued their good form and moved up to second in Division 2 East with a comfortable 6-1 away win at Finchampstead.

THAME Swimming Club Girls’ Squad Captain, Georgia Cahill and Boys’ Squad Vice Captain James Goetz, were officially recognised at the South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) Young Achievers awards in Benson yesterday.

The awards are given annually by SODC to young achievers in the county who volunteer, or are talented in sport or the arts. In all, 42 young people were given their awards this year including Georgia and Jamie. In sporting terms, the award is given to those competing at county level or higher and who want to strive to compete at an even higher level. The awards were presented by Councillor Felix Bloomfield, Chairman of the Council.

Both Jamie and Georgia have competed at the Oxfordshire & North Buckinghamshire (ONB) County Championships in both 2010 and 2011 and hope to be competing there again in 2012. Georgia has qualified for ASA South East Regional events in 2010 and 2011. Jamie is also coaching for Thame SC, working with Group 1 and 2 on a Friday evening to help he younger swimmers in the club develop, and to work towards his Duke Of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Well done to both and good luck to all Thame Swimmers for the 2012 ONB County Championships in February & March 2012!

FIVE days after they smashed the Guinness World Record for a competitive squash marathon, the two men who battled together for over 31 hours, have been talking about the experience.

The two competitors, Squash coach Darren Withey, and Racquets Fitness Centre team player, Guy Fotherby, spoke to ThameNews.Net:

Q What made you take on the challenge in the first
place?
A DARREN: “I was filling in for Nick Wynd who got
injured but was more than willing to help such
worthwhile charities.”

GUY: ” My Mother died of cancer and so did a best
friend I grew up with, my Niece is profoundly
autistic and she uses the Chiltern Centre for
disabled children for respite. It’s a small but
vital charity in great need of assistance and fund
raising.”

Q Can you recall your LOWEST moment of the challenge?

A DARREN “We had just passed the half way stage and
it hit me how far we had come and still how long we
had yet to go before the finish. Mental toughness
was a key element.”

GUY: “No, not really. Not really one just fighting
through the muscle pain during the last four hours!”

Q When would you say was the HIGHEST moment for you?
A DARREN: “I think there were a few high points but
raising so much money and receiving so much support
from everyone including friends, family and Racquets
Fitness Centre. The World Record!!!!”

GUY: “Knowing we were on the way to raising the
funds for the charities.”

Q What is your most vivid memory of the whole 31 hrs?
A DARREN: “I will always remember counting down my
breaks in between games. You just know what they
meant at the time.”

GUY: “The Fantastic support from the crowd on the
balcony!”

Q. What were your feelings on that final count-down
moment when you knew you had broken the record?
A DARREN: “Relief and excitement whilst being proud to
have achieved what we set out to do.”

GUY: “Feeling so grateful to all the people who
helped to make it happen; we could not have done it
without their support.”

Q What was the reaction of your family to your
achievement?
A DARREN: “My wife sally and daughter Emily were
very proud.”

GUY: “Elated!”

Q Would you do it again ????
A DARREN: “Yes Yes Yes! Bring it on!”

GUY: “Yes, we’re looking at a 24 hours racquet ball
next year for the charities, the Chiltern Centre for
disabled Children and one other.”

PHOTO: Courtesy of ThameTV: Darren and Guy embrace after over 31 hrs of squash is finally over!

THE Guinness World Record for a singles Squash marathon was broken over the weekend by two veteran squash players from Thame.

Guy Fotherby and Darren Withey played 475 games of competitive Squash in 31 hrs 19 mins and 4secs, beating the current verified standing record of 29 hrs and 55mins. Hundreds of people followed the event on twitter.

Professional Squash coach, Darren, who is 47 years-old, has coached and played for Racquets Fitness Centre who hosted the event, for many years. 52 year-old Guy is Director of Marketing & Development for Meritus Hotels & Resorts, who are one of the main sponsors of the club’s first team and pledged

GUY Fotherby and Darren Withey, who are currently in the fourteenth hour of a Guinness World record attempt for a squash marathon, are holding up well on court at Racquets fitness Centre in Thame.

The two are battling to beat the current Guinness World Record for a Squash marathon of 31 hours and 2 minutes, held by a couple of players from Basingstoke. They are aiming to raise

MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bradley Rose) Thame Netball Club, Hurricanes V Wingrave Comets – January 04, 2012 –
Thrilling encounter excites all as Thame win tight contest!

THE new year started with a bang for the Hurricanes with a hard fought victory. They started off slowly, but once they had shaken off the Christmas shackles they began to play some fine netball. Wingrave played their part too, with both teams going head on against each other.

The second quarter was equally as close, with the shooters finishing off some nice flowing moves. Thame were working well as a unit with a lot of encouragement from their coach. They lost their way in the middle of the quarter but regained their composure to stay one goal behind!

The third quarter was Thame?s finest, with some great passing moves and crucial interceptions from the defence taking their lead to 20-16 with just the last quarter to go.

The final part of the game was very tense with both sides squandering chances in an attempt to win the game. In the end Thame came out on top with a 24-23 victory. Let?s hope 2012 is a successful year!

Bradley Rose