Category: Sports News

MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Bob Dixon : League match played on 7/01/12 Kidlington 1, Thame United 3: THAME United returned to winning ways at Kidlington on Saturday when they defeated their hosts 1-3. Thame?s opponents are in a period of transition, having appointed a new player manager mid-week who made several changes to line up published in the programme.

United were once again missing several regulars, particularly strikers, due to injury or suspension. The game however saw the welcome return of defender Matt Willet after an Injury caused an absence of several months.

Thame scored within 20 seconds of the start. United kicked off and the ball was played to the left where a defender met it, but then played a poor pass which Luke Ricketts intercepted before running at goal and cleverly lobbing the advancing goalkeeper. A few minutes later Thame striker Lewis Cordice was clattered and was sadly carried from the pitch. He was replaced by Ian Pykett, normally a defensive player, but who did well in his unfamiliar striker role. The visitor?s were in control, and increased their lead after half an hour. Alex Stewart met a Matt Hall throw on the left by-line, turned and crossed to Pykett whose close range shot was blocked by the keeper, but James Keeble then met the rebound to knock the ball in from 6-yards. Kidlington came back towards the end of the half and pulled a goal back just before the break when Ryan Curtin headed a corner home.

The second half was more even with chances at both ends and Mike Higgs, in the Thame goal, made some good saves. United?s third goal came, on 62 minutes, from the penalty spot after Stewart was fouled in the box. Stewart took the spot kick and buried it, giving the home keeper no chance. The last 10 minutes saw the home side threatening Thame?s goal and a few minutes before time they hit the crossbar. United however withstood the onslaught to deservedly take the points.

Thame United: Higgs, Willet, Hall, Meredith, N Rhodes, Keeble, Barr (Steadman), Hayes, Stewart, Cordice (I Pykett), Ricketts.

ONE of two squash players who will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for a Squash marathon on Friday, has had to pull out through injury.

Personal Trainer at Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame, Nick Wynd, who was due to play with Guy Fotherby, has damaged his wrist and will be replaced by Squash coach at the club, Darren Withey.

Nick says he is “gutted” to have to pull out and explains about his injury and the preparations for the attempt on Friday, January 13th, in this video taken by ThameTV LINK

Guy Fotherby, who is also Director of Marketing & Development at Meritus Hotels & Resorts, told Thamenews.net: “So far we have raised

TUESDAY, January 10, saw the return of the Oxfordshire Squash League to Racquets in Thame after the Christmas break and the home team welcomed it in emphatic style with a 5-0 win over rivals and 2010 champions, Abingdon squash club.

Invigorated by new players and sponsors, the local consensus is that Racquets are now serious Oxfordshire League title contenders, a county wide competition that wraps up in April. Every member of the team was victorious in what is known in squash as a “Hawaii Five-0” with a notable performance from Darren Withey who beat England ranked junior Tom Wellstead 3-0.

A wealth of talent makes up the playing squad including PSA World Tour professionals Chris Truswell, Alex Preston and Will John who are world ranked 124, 256 and 277 respectively (Alex and Will have both played at Racquets since before they could walk!). Paul Boyle (New Zealand International) and Darren Withey (England O45s International) also bring a unique flavour of unparalleled experience to the fray.

January is a busy month for the squad and the club. Guy Fotherby of Meritus Hotels & Resorts, who sponsor the Racquets Men?s First Team, will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for longest ever squash match vs. team player Darren Withey, starting Saturday 14th at 10am at Racquets. Paul Boyle and Alex Preston are team mates turned foes as they both compete for the title of Buckinghamshire Champion this weekend in Aylesbury. They all return to Racquets, along with the whole squad on 20/21/22nd January to compete for a

A THAME Personal Trainer and a member of the Thame Squash Club and fitness centre, will attempt to break the Guinnes World Record for a squash marathon by playing for 30 hours.

Guy Fotherby and Nick Wynd will aim to complete 30 hours of competetive squash against each other as they try to break a Guinness World Record ? currently standing at 26 hours 30 minutes.

The pair will only be allowed a five minute break every hour and need to be in constant competition to break the record.

If successful, Guy and Nick will raise more than

MATCH REPORT: (Contributed) Ardley United 3, Thame United 1: League game – 27/12/11. THAME’S unbeaten run of nine games ended at Ardley on Tuesday, 27/12/11, when they were defeated 3-1. The result allowed Ardley United to extend their run to fourteen games without defeat and strengthen their top of the table position. Thame were without some first team regulars because of illness, injury, and suspension.

The visitors won the toss and chose to play uphill on the slippery, sloping pitch during the first half. Ardley had the better of possession but their chances were few and Thame keeper Milan Barisic was not tested until the 25th minute when, following a corner, he made a good save from a header. Ten minutes later a home striker was fouled in the box and Ardley were awarded a penalty. Fortunately for Thame, Ryan Brooks hit the spot kick just wide. It looked as if Thame would hold on until half time but with a minute to go, Brooks made amends for his miss by beating Barisic with a low, well placed shot into the left corner.

The home side increased their lead two minutes after the restart when Brooks crossed low from the left and Thame failed to clear, allowing Tom Green to tap in at the far post. Thame manager Mark West reshuffled his players and moved Luke Ricketts, who had started as left back, to his usual left wing position. Possession was far more even in the second half and Ardley were on the back foot as the visitors pressed. Thame?s goal came in the 55th minute when an in swinging Ricketts corner, from the right beat defenders and forwards alike, hit the far post and crossed the line. Thame continued to threaten with Alex Stewart and Connor Hayes both going close. With 5 minutes to play an Ardley break saw Brooks score his second when another low, corner-bound shot beat Barisic. Thame continued to press but were unable to break through.

Thame United: Barisic, Barr (Little), Ricketts, Meredith, N Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, D. West (Davis), Stewart, Cordice( I Pykett), Keeble.

PHOTO: Thame’s scorer, Luke Ricketts

CHINNOR RFC kept up their unbeaten run by beating Weston-Super-Mare 55-10 in front of a big crowd on Sunday (29/01) with a scorching first half display of pace and power.

With Tom Gray back fit, Mark Chase changed wings to cover Pip Seymour out injured. Chinnor got off to a blistering start when Colver crossed for the first of Chinnor?s ties on 2 minutes. Just two minutes later, from a rolling maul, the ball arrived in the hands of Mark Chase who sidestepped his man to go over in the corner for the first of his hat trick of tries. Chinnor?s lead was increased to 15-0 in the 10th minute when, from quick lineout ball, Stoop sliced through the Seasiders defence to dot down under the post. Cathcart?s conversion improved the home side?s lead to 17-0.

The bonus point try came for Chinnor in the 14th minute when the Kingsey Road side stole lineout ball and set the backs racing. Chase, sidestepping in and out, touched down in the corner. Cathcart added the extras from the touchline to give Chinnor a 24-0 lead. On the 20th minute, Goode made great inroads through the centre of the visitors? defence before offloading to Chase. His deft footwork slipped in fellow winger Tom Gray who sidestepped three opponents to go under the posts for Chinnor?s 5th try. Cathcart converted to increase the lead to 31-0.

Weston-Super-Mare began to get back into the match and battered the Chinnor line for a sustained period but, ultimately, to no avail as the home side stole lineout ball to clear their lines. A delightful short chip over and collect by James Cathcart , on the 21st minute, allowed Matthew Goode to storm through the Seasiders defence for Chinnor?s 6th try. Cathcart increased the lead to 38-0.

Perhaps the best try of the day came two minutes before half time. After sustained pressure in their own 22, the Seasiders kicked for touch. The alert Gray caught the ball on the volley in touch and instantly sent a long pass to Colver in the centre of the pitch. He whipped the ball across to Chase on the other touchline. Chase hit the afterburners and sidestepped and jinked his way through the visitor?s defence to touch down under the posts. Cathcart did the honours and the referee, Carl Bennett effective throughout, blew for half time and a Chinnor lead of 45-0.

The second half was altogether a much more muted affair. Chinnor clearly eased off and Weston-Super-Mare took advantage to take the game to their hosts. In terms of points scored in the second half, the visitors matched Chinnor at 10 points all.

First points of the second half went to Chinnor. From the lineout from a penalty awarded to Chinnor, a rolling maul was driven to the line with Gilbert touching down to increase the lead to 50-0. On the 46th minute Waddingam was replaced by Harrison and Goode by Corpe. On the 49th minute, a garryowen from the Seasiders was expertly caught at full pace by Frank Jones who set Stoop running at the line. He was held up short but deftly offloaded to the supporting Harrison who dotted down for Chinnor?s final score of the day on the 48th minute to give a 55-0 lead. Chinnor slackened their efforts and then committed a series of offences which displeased the referee. On the 62nd minute, Chinnor?s Mowbray was yellow carded for a high tackle. One minute later, Chinnor was reduced to 13 men when Chase was sent for a rest for coming in at the side. The Seasiders took full advantage of Chinnor?s reduced numbers. A well worked rolling maul from a penalty led to Weston?s Jamie Rudkin touching down for the visitors first score to reduce the lead to 55-5. Five minutes later, the Seasiders scored a smart try from their own half, scorching down the tram lines for left wing Matt Watkins to score in the corner. With the score at 55-10, Weston continued to press until the final whistle.

Weston-Super-Mare are to be congratulated for playing right through to the end of the match despite their mauling in the first half. Their second try was well worked and flanker George Wright had a good game.

In some ways, this was a bitter-sweet performance by Chinnor. The first half was all power, pace and passion leading to some breathtaking scores and a commanding half time lead. But what happened in the second half? Players were falling off tackles, energy levels seemed to drop and structure collapsed. Perhaps the commanding lead was unhelpful. However, it was a good result and our best ever against the Seasiders and we can?t complain at 9 tries. Mark Chase deserved Man of the Match for the quality of his three tries.

Next week sees local rivalries re-emerge with the away match at Oxford Harlequins. The second half for that match won?t be in doubt.

Scorers:
Chinnor: Chase 3T; Colver T; Gray T; Gilbert T; Goode T; Stoop T; Harrison T; Cathcart 5C
Weston-Super-Mare Rudkin T; Watkins T

Chinnor team:
Colver, Chase, Goode (Corpe 46), Stoop, Gray , Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny, Tattersall, Pickett (Whelan 51), Mowbray, Smith, Jackman, Waddingham (Harrison 46), Gilbert
Replacements: Whelan, Harrison, Corpe

2nds lost 22-21 at Barnes when 2 perfectly good tries were disallowed.

3rds beat Wallingford 2nds 36 ? 26

4ths beat Grove 2nds 10 ? 17

Premiership Ex Chinnor Player News:

Dave Seymour (Sale) picked for England Saxons.
Ryan Glynn (Northampton Saints) came on from subs bench

SOURCE: Contributed by Dave Winpenny

Oxford City Nomads 0, Thame United 1(MATCH REPORT – Contributed): 21/12/11 – Oxfordshire Senior Cup 3rd round: THAME were due to play this 3rd round Oxfordshire Senior Cup tie away but, due to a waterlogged pitch, the game was switched at short notice from Oxford to The ASM Stadium. The club emailed its database and a crowd of 53 saw the game, most of whom had changed their plans. They were not disappointed as it was an entertaining game between two evenly matched teams playing fast attractive football.

Thame started well and forced four successive corners in the first few minutes. Nomads however soon recovered to put Thame ?on the back foot? for much of the half. On 25 minutes Nomads had a good chance when, with the Thame defence appealing for offside, the linesman kept his flag down allowing two strikers through on goal. Thame keeper Milan Barisic however came out to meet the threat and made a fine save with his legs. Ten minutes later, another striker was in a 1 to 1 with Barisic who dived his feet, bringing him down. A penalty was awarded and Barisic was shown a yellow card. The penalty kick was however too close to the keeper, allowing him to make a good save. Although the visitors were perhaps ?ahead on points,? the game was goalless at half time.

Thame came out fired up for the second half and immediately put the visitor?s goal under pressure. Eight minutes after the restart, United were awarded a free kick 25-yards from goal which Alex Stewart took, hitting a superb shot and forcing an excellent save from the Nomads keeper. Dan West took the resultant corner which the keeper went to collect but dropped the ball; Stewart won the ensuing scramble to knock the ball home. Although Nomads tried to come back, United defended well and, apart from a header grazing the post, their chances were few. Thame were playing well, and Luke Ricketts, Lewis Cordice, Stewart and Ben Connelly all went close. The final few minutes were nerve racking but Thame held out, and will be in the 4th round draw.

Thame United: Barisic, Barr, Hall, Meredith, N Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, D West, Stewart, Cordice, Ricketts (Little).

THE South Regional Racketball Closed Championships 2012 will be held on 3rd & 4th March at Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame.

The entry fee is

REPORT contributed by Bill O’Donnell: Redingensians 5 Vs Chinnor 17; Match abandoned at 58 minutes – AN eagerly awaited clash between the top and third ranking side in the SW Rugby League on Saturday, was abandoned in the 58th minute in highly controversial circumstances after a horrific double injury to a Chinnor player.

Winger, Ken Prinsloo, dodging through the middle, avoided two tackles but was double tackled with one leg firmly stuck in the glutinous surface. A break and a dislocated ankle was readily and sickenly apparent to all. An ambulance was called but took some 42 minutes to arrive, ironically just one day after the local ambulance trust had been awarded Trust of the Year for leading the nation’s response times.

During the delay, the visitors from Thame asked to continue the match on the adjoining pitch which had just seen the second teams of both sides complete their league fixture. Redingensians? officials would not agree to the continuation of the match, claiming that the pitch was not of the right dimensions even though it is clearly used (as the second team game showed) for the playing of league rugby matches. When asked if the game could continue on the third pitch, Chinnor were told that the low sun would get in their eyes. Chinnor volunteered to play with the sun in their eyes in order to complete the match. The home officials would not agree. With the light fading (as the ground does not possess match level floodlights) and the ambulance still not yet arrived, the prospects of further play diminished. The referee was consulted and agreed to carry on the match if both teams agreed to continue. Chinnor brought their team back onto the pitch to resume the match but the home officials would not agree to continue the match and so the referee was forced to abandon the match.

Had the match completed 60 minutes, the standing score would have been declared the final result under league rules. However, having only played 58 minutes the match is officially declared abandoned and will have to be replayed in full. There remains some doubt as to the status of the result as the 60 minute rule seem only to apply to matches curtailed by adverse weather conditions.

The only heart-warming aspect of the debacle was the startling response of Ken Prinsloo as he was stretchered off. As the large Chinnor contingent present loudly cheered him off, Prinsloo raised his clenched fist in acknowledgement of the noise accompanying his enforced departure. The crowd just roared all the more.

The outcome leaves a foul taste in the mouth. Redingensians were offered three methods of completing the fixture but found flimsy excuses to not complete the match. The puzzle of why they refused to continue to play became more mysterious when the circumstances of their previous home league fixture on 10 December are considered. In that match, the visiting fly half from Old Redcliffians, Mike Schropfer, suffered a similar serious leg injury which required an ambulance and surgery at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. The match was transferred to the adjoining pitch and completed to give Redingensians a 53-5 victory. On that occasion, there appeared to be no problem with Redingensians transferring the match to an adjacent pitch. The only difference between the two incidents appears to be that, in the previous match, Redingensians held a healthy lead but in the Chinnor match they were well behind.

And what of the rugby? Four minutes after kick-off, Redingensians flanker, Michael Clarke, was sin binned for illegal use of the foot at a ruck. The first points of the match went to Chinnor with a well struck penalty goal from James Cathcart on the 11th minute after the home side were guilty of holding on in the tackle. The first try of the match came in the 16th minute when the Chinnor pack, after a series of punishing pick and drives with Smith prominent, saw Gilbert slide around the blind side and dive in the corner for a try. Cathcart’s touchline conversion bisected the posts to give Chinnor a 10-0 lead.

Redingensians then began to apply pressure and a neat midfield break was stopped just 5m from the Chinnor line. Although the home side pressed, Chinnor managed to clear the ball. Pressure on the visitors began to tell as the Chinnor scrum began to look underpowered against a big Redingensians pack. In the 28th minute from a free kick caused by a bent Chinnor scrum feed, Redingensians took a tap and ran the ball to score a wide out on the left, courtesy of Gosling. With the conversion attempt hitting the upright, the match score was now Redingensians 5 Chinnor 10.

On the 35th minute, a delightful Chinnor backs move saw Colver slice through the home defence line. He was held up some 5m from the try line but managed to off load to the supporting Harrison who dotted down for Chinnor’s second try. Cathcart improved the try to increase Chinnor’s lead to 17-5.
The remaining time in the half was spent exclusively five metres from the Chinnor line as Redingensians desperately tried to score. Chinnor’s last line defence held firm and the home side, penalised for crossing, allowed Cathcart to clear the Chinnor lines and end the first half with their 17-5 lead intact.

The second half began with increased pressure from Redingensians who, dominating in the scrum, began to disrupt the Chinnor lineout. However the Chinnor backs were always a threat and continued to ring alarm bells for the home side. On one such occasion, Prinsloo came in off his wing with the home defence backpedalling. However with one horrifying crack his match and the whole match, courtesy of the home officials, was over.

Scorers:
Chinnor: Gilbert T; Harrison T; Cathcart PG, 2C
Bournemouth: Gosling T

Chinnor team:
Colver, Seymour, Goode, Stoop, Prinsloo, Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny, Tattersall, Pickett (Whelan 62), Mowbray, Smith, Harrison, Waddingham, Gilbert
Replacements: Whelan, Ramsdale, Gray

WHEN? Friday, 20 January 2012 at 17:30 until Sunday, 22 January 2012 at 17:30;

DESCRIPTION – Racquets Fitness Centre Open Graded Squash Tournament;

Grades A-E Plates & Prizes in all grades; Ladies & Juniors welcome. 1ST PRIZE