JOIN RACQUETS Fitness Centre, Thame now and receive 50% off admin and joining fee, plus 10% off the annual rate (limited offer).
Subject to terms and conditions; For further information or offers contact Martin or Simon on 01844 261754
email Martin@Racquets-fitness-centre.com
www.Racquets-fitness-centre.com
Racquets Fitness Centre, North Street, Thame. OX9 3TH
LEAGUE GAME – Saturday, December 10; Wantage Town 0, Thame United 1; MATCH REPORT (Contributed)
FOLLOWING Saturday?s 0-1 victory at Wantage Town, Thame now occupy eighth league place, having played eight consecutive league games without defeat. The game saw the welcome return of Nik Rhodes after several weeks out with injury.
Thame looked the sharper side from the start and had the better of the first 15 minutes with Lewis Cordice playing a lone striker role. The home side came back towards the end of the half and, following a corner, Matt Hall did well to clear a header off the Thame goal line. The game was goalless at half time.
Three minutes after the restart, Thame central defender Jon Steedman was incorrectly judged to have fouled a striker who was through on goal, and was dismissed. This injustice seemed to inspire Thame?s remaining ten men and they scored 10 minutes later. Matt Hall took a corner on Thame?s right which a Thame head knocked down to Nik Rhodes, at the far post, who reacted quickly to finish from close range. Adam Little then came on to replace Cordice as lone striker. The remainder of the game was 50-50 with United defending well and ?snuffing out? any Wantage chances. With minutes remaining, good work on the right by Little resulted in a strong goal bound shot from Aaron Rogers which was blocked by a defender. Luke Ricketts picked the ball up and hit another goal bound shot which met the same fate. The home side hit the crossbar in added time. Seconds before the final whistle, Ricketts was scythed down when he was through on goal, but referee Boyles chose to end the game, rather than book and dismiss the culprit.
Thame United: Bennion, Mitchell, Hall, N Rhodes, Steedman, Keeble, Hayes, D. West, Cordice (Little) Rogers, Ricketts.
Thame entertain Bracknell Town on Saturday 18th December (3.00 k o)
NATINAL 3 SW – Saturday 10th December 2011, SCORE: Chinnor 33 Vs Newton Abbot 5; MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Bill O’Donnell:
ON a crisp and bright winter’s afternoon, Chinnor maintained their unbeaten record so far this season in beating Newton Abbot by 33-5.
Facing the fourth placed side in the league, Chinnor knew that this would not be an easy match and so it proved. However, Chinnor got off the blocks quickly scoring a try in the second minute. Stealing ball from the lineout, Jones set the Chinnor backs flying and Colver burst through to score. Cathcart converted to give Chinnor a 7-0 lead. Straight from the restart, Newton Abbot attacked the Chinnor defence and hooker Tom Channon smashed through for a try to the visitors from Devon to make the match score 7-5 in the fourth minute.
For next 10 minutes, all the play was in the Chinnor half with the visitors testing the home defence to the full. Chinnor eventually escaped and mounted a promising attack near the All Whites line but lost the ball. Goode’s vocal displeasure at the missed opportunity incurred the wrath of the referee, Mr Haskins from the Midland Group, who asked him to have a 10 minute rest. On the 28th minute, another steal from the lineout saw the ball whipped across the Chinnor back line for Prinsloo to scorch in at the corner to increase Chinnor’s lead to 12-5. Two minutes later, a Chinnor try went begging as Seymour’s incursion into the line created an overlap for the home side. However, the referee saw a forward pass and all the good work was undone.
On the 35th minute, a midfield passing move from the All Whites broke down. Cathcart casually scooped up the ball and gently cantered to the line for Chinnor’s third try which he converted himself and increased the lead to 19-5. With just three minutes remaining of the half, Chinnor scored the vital bonus point try. A cross field kick towards touch from Newton Abbot was skilfully fielded by Prinsloo who immediately set Colver running. He brought Gilbert into play who sliced through the home defence and held on to the ball to commit the full back before releasing Seymour for a simple dash to the line. Cathcart’s conversion gave Chinnor a half time lead of 26-5.
The second half was altogether a more muted affair with both sets of forwards working hard to cancel each other out. Chinnor began with 10 minutes of sustained pressure on the Newton Abbot defence but came away pointless. It was not until the 68th minute that the blind side from a scrum was well worked by the Chinnor backs with rapid passing in the narrow channels allowing the speedy and muscular Seymour to score in the corner. Cathcart’s kick increased the Chinnor lead to 33-5 where it remained until the final whistle.
Newton Abbot, who were lying fourth in the league at the start of the match, proved to be an obdurate side particularly in the forwards. Their pack gave the home side a tough workout but the Chinnor work rate was slightly better particularly with a number of stolen lineout balls and defence of the try line. Harrison and Gilbert had busy and effective games for the home pack. The Chinnor backs were again full of vim and vigour and played well as a unit with Seymour, in particular, stealing the limelight for his rapid and powerful running.
Scorers:
Chinnor: Colver T; Prinsloo T; Seymour 2T; Cathcart T, 4C
Bournemouth: Channon T
Chinnor team:
Colver, Seymour, Goode, Stoop (Williams 63), Prinsloo, Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny, Tattersall, Pickett (Whelan 63), Mowbray, Smith, Jackman (Ramsdale 27), Harrison, Gilbert
Replacements: Whelan, Ramsdale, Williams
MATCH REPORTS – Contributed by Thame Netball Club: Hurricanes V Fizzies – December 7, 2011;
(1) Thame Hurricanes blow away Fizzless Fizzies
BOTH teams looked determined before the match during the warm up. The opposition opened the scoring, but this only sparked an instant response from Thame with Helen as GS opening Thames account. Thames effort was emulated by their superb desire resulting in many interceptions. This effort enabled them to take an 8-3 lead after the first quarter.
Thame continued strongly in the second quarter to extend their lead. This lead kept increasing with several free flowing passing moves which were finished off by Carol and Helen. Their quick pass and move game play extended their lead to 15-6 at half time.
The third quarter was another dominant one for Thame with several crucial interceptions from Lyn H and the whole team. Their high intensity gave Fizzies no chance to get back into the game.
In the words of Shelly, all Thame needed to do in order to win the game was ?keep the ball?. The players went out in the last quarter and did exactly that to see out the game. There was a late goal flurry to finish the game at 28-15 to Thame. This rounds off a successful year for Hurricanes with a hat-trick of wins, as its full speed ahead to 2012!
Written by Bradley Rose
(2) Thame Cyclones v Wingrave Rockets – 21 ?20 A Win!!!
Separating the women from the girls
AS expected a fast paced start from the Wingrave youngsters, but with Thame matching the pace. Excellent defending from Jean (GK) in and around the D kept pressure on their shooters, who were then struggling to get their eye in. High number of turnovers in mid court, in part due to umpires being unusually hot on calls (Sam (WD) ? getting called for obstruction ? when does that happen?), and good defence work from both teams. Wingrave?s tall and skinny arms getting a lot of interceptions but Thame shooters Lynne and Vanessa had the edge with their finishes and kept their cool helping Thame to pull away.
End of first quarter 6 ? 3 to Thame
Second quarter and Wingrave made some changes. Fast paced again, and neck and neck. Wingrave were not able to finish though and Thame still kept the edge with excellent under pressure shots from Vanessa and Lynne.
End of second quarter 11-8 to Thame
Third quarter and Becky (WA) came on and had a stormer. Running round the D like a madwoman and showing Wingrave they don?t have the monopoly on defensive arms! This was a nail biter and very evenly matched. Thame kept getting great interceptions along the court and forcing more turnovers. Wingrave starting to show frustration with their footwork slipping and obstruction starting to creep in. Then (of course) the Cyclones? Curse of the Foot struck again and downed Kelly G (GD) (though she was fighting to be let back on!). A quick change with Amy back on and the pace continued. Wingrave?s GS suddenly had her eye in and the teams were swapping goals. Real end to end stuff! Wingrave edged ahead for the first time in the match.
End of third quarter 16 – 15 to Wingrave.
Fourth quarter and both teams started where they had left off. Swapping goals and end to end again. The crowd could not breathe!! Only one goal in it most of the way through. Wingrave getting desperate and getting pulled for obstruction with their ?arms up? tactic backfiring. Thame?s coach Lisa shouting ?DEFENCE? like it was an American football match meant that Thame defended deep and determined. The last minute was unbearable to watch as the ball was being batted between the two ends but then bell went and victory! Thame had done it by one goal. A well deserved and hard fought 5 pointer.
Final score 21 ? 20 to Thame
LEAGE match: 6/12/11; It was a close thing, but Thame United extended their unbeaten run to seven games at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening when they drew 2-2 with Ascot United. With both teams on the same points tally, but Thame ahead on goal difference, the teams were evenly matched. Nevertheless they were forced to defend for long periods and gained the draw through inspired defending and outstanding goalkeeping.
After an even first 15 minutes Thame started to press and pounced on an error to go ahead in the 26th minute. A visiting defender made a back pass to his goalkeeper whose poor clearance was intercepted by an alert Aaron Rogers and the ball fell to Alex Stewart. Thame?s leading goal scorer then calmly hit a 25 yard shot pass the keeper into the corner of the net. Ascot equalised five minutes later when a long ball split Thame?s defence, and Jon Bennett hit a powerful shot pass Thame keeper Nick Bennion from 8-yards. The score was 1-1 at half time, which was a fair reflection of the play.
The visitors pressed hard after the restart and went into the lead on 53 minutes when the imposing Bennett beat Bennion with a 30-yard shot. Thame countered, and the hard working Rogers was replaced by new signing Lewis Cordice. The impressive newcomer made his mark a few minutes after coming on when he picked up a long ball and hit a lobbed shot over the advancing keeper to restore parity. The game ebbed and flowed without score for the remainder of the game and, with 5 minutes remaining, Ascot hit the crossbar with a long shot. The on-form Bennion made some quality saves, particularly in the dying minutes to earn the draw.
Thame United: Bennion, Cowan, Hall, Meredith, Steedman, Keeble, Barr, D West, Stewart, Rogers (Cordice), Ricketts.
The next first team home game at the ASM Stadium in on Tuesday 13th at 7.45 when Abingdon Town are the visitors.
SOURCE: Contributed
THAME United extended their undefeated run to 6 league games at the ASM stadium on Saturday when they defeated Witney Town 3-1. As a result they climb 2 league places and now occupy 9th position. It was a game in which United looked lackluster in the first half but were unbeatable after the break.
Although United had the better of the opening exchanges it was not long before they were ?on the back foot?. Witney went ahead in the 26th minute when Ashley Overton met a free kick from the right that eluded Thame defenders, with a strong 10-yard shot which Thame keeper Milan Barisic got a hand to, but could not prevent from crossing the line. Thame came back towards the end of the half and Connor Hayes met a Luke Ricketts cross with a diving header which hit the goalpost. Dan West got on the end of another Ricketts cross a few minutes later, but his glancing header was wide. Just before half time West found the net, but his effort was ruled offside.
United came out ?fired up? after the break, and equalised within six minutes when Alex Stewart headed in a long James Keeble cross. It was one-way traffic for a while and the visiting Keeper, who had a good game, was kept busy. United?s second goal came in the 67th minute from a 30-yard Dan West free kick. It looked as if Ricketts may have got his head to the ball, deflecting it pass the keeper, but a post- match inquiry saw West awarded the goal. United?s third goal came a few minutes later when, following good work from Ricketts, the ball was played to Aaron Rogers from the left by-line. Rogers, who had his back to goal, quickly turned and hit a quality, unstoppable shot from 15-yards. Just before the final whistle, Ricketts struck a 30-yard screamer, forcing an excellent save from the Witney keeper.
Luke Ricketts was rightly chosen as Thame?s man of the match by a group from Thame Boys which was fitting, as Ricketts is a former Thame Boys player.
Thame United: Barisic, Cowan, Hall, Meredith, Steedman (N Rhodes), Hayes, Keeble (Barr), D West, Stewart, Rogers, Ricketts.
SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon – Photo: Luke Ricketts
MATCH REPORT: Saturday, December 2, 2011: Newbury Blues 0, Vs Chinnor 67 ; In their first ever league meeting with Newbury, Chinnor ran out comfortable winners by 67-0 to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
The first of Chinnor?s 11 ties came on the 4th minute when, from a lineout catch and drive, Winpenny touched down. On the 11th minute, after two quick rucks, some precise passing in the tramlines released Richie Williams to score Chinnor’s second try. Cathcart added the extras to give a 12-0 lead to the visitors from Thame.
Chinnor expected their third try on the 19th minute when a rolling maul, powering over the line, left the ball behind. Cathcart picked up and had a dart and was held up but managed to work the ball to Gilbert who crashed over for 17-0. Cathcart?s conversion then made the score 19-0 to Chinnor. With a penalty for holding on, Jones, for Chinnor, took a quick tap to Prinsloo who, running a wonderful line, slipped Seymour in for Chinnor’s bonus try, converted by Cathcart to put the visitors ahead 26-0 on the 30th minute.
The second half started well for Newbury who made several incursions into the Chinnor 22. Awarded a penalty, Newbury fly-half Daniel Thorpe kicked well to the corner to set up his forwards for an attack on the Chinnor line. However several pick and drives were repulsed by the Chinnor defence and the attack ended with a penalty to the visitors with the added insult of Cathcart dispatching it some 65m downfield into touch.
The next score, on the 52nd minute was a Chinnor try scored by a muscular attack on the line by Matt Goode. Cathcart’s conversion increased the lead to 33-0. A minute later, Colver arriving on a late but fast run carried the ball straight through the home defence for a try under the posts. Cathcart again did the honours to give the boys from Thame a 40-0 lead. A minute later Chinnor’s Prinsloo received the ball from a slow ruck and created havoc in the home defence allowing Jackman to motor to the line leaving a trail of would-be tacklers in his wake. Chinnor’s lead was increased to 45-0.
Chinnor’s next score on the 63rd minute was perhaps the best of the match. Picking up the ball in midfield, Goode, at high pace, effortlessly stepped four potential tacklers to dot down for Chinnor’s eighth try of the match. The conversion gave Chinnor a 52-0 lead.
A wonderfully delayed late pass from Cathcart saw Goode slide through the home defence for his second try. A neat run around move involving replacement scrum-half Hopwood led to Seymour on a straight run to the corner for a Chinnor try to increase the lead to 62-0.
With two minutes to go, a fake miss move from Hopwood saw Goode blast through the defence for his fourth and a 67-0 victory for Chinnor.
Newbury?s young team, who are having a torrid time at this level, are to be respected for their never say die attitude and although the scores were coming thick and fast they continued to defend with energy and commitment. They are very young and hopefully will benefit from the experience.
Chinnor must be praised for the quality of many of their tries. A few final passes went astray which may have increased the winning margin. It was a job well done with the pack operating effectively and defensively very strong. The backs had a bit of field day with their pacey and decisive running. Colver looked assured at full back, kicked well and joined the line impressively. Goode had a barnstorming match but the player to catch the eye was Prinsloo. The speed and angles of his running were impressive as was his precise passing. He was defensively immovable and seemed to make things happen every time he touched the ball.
Scorers:
Chinnor: Goode 4T; Seymour 2T; Winpenny T; Williams T; Gilbert T; Jackman T; Colver T; Cathcart 6C
Chinnor team:
Colver, Seymour, Goode, Prinsloo, Williams, Cathcart, Jones (Hopwood 57), Winpenny (Whelan 57), Tattersall, Pickett (Whelan 57), Mowbray, Smith, Jackman, Harrison, Gilbert (Ramsdale 46)
Replacements: Whelan, Ramsdale, Hopwood
SOURCE: Contributed
LEAGUE MATCH – 29/11/11 – Thame United 2, Shortwood United 2; MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bob Dixon)
THAME United recorded their fifth league game without defeat on Tuesday evening at the ASM Stadium, when they drew 2-2 with Gloucestershire-based Shortwood United. This was a good result for Thame as the visitors are seen by ?those in the know? as favourites to win the league championship. It was a hugely entertaining game, played on a cold evening, with both teams playing fast, attractive attacking football.
After an even start the visitors scored the first goal on nine minutes when a Thame pass was intercepted in midfield and, after good move, striker Kevin Slack knocked the ball home from a seemingly impossibly acute angle. Their lead did no last long, as Thame equalised two minutes later when Dan West took a corner and Sam Cowan headed in from eight yards. It was end-to-end stuff for a while but in the 18th minute visiting left winger Tim Haddock scored an impressive individual goal. He picked the ball up on the halfway line and dribbled his way to goal, beating several Thame players, before slipping the ball pass Thame keeper Nick Bennion.
A few minutes later Thame again equalised when Luke Ricketts picked up a ball near the left touchline and made a pacey 40-yard run before hitting a superb cross. Aaron Rogers met the cross with a first time shot which the visiting keeper parried but Alex Stewart then knocked home. With 25 minutes gone it was 2-2 with more goals in prospect but, although both teams went close, the scoring was over. Just before half time a visiting defender blatantly handled the ball in the penalty area but it seems that the officials were alone in not seeing the incident.
The second half was an anticlimax. Thame had the better of the first half hour with Rogers Ricketts and James Keeble all going close for Thame and another valid penalty appeal for hand-ball turned down. Shortwood pressed for the final 15 minutes, and the on-form Bennion was busy, but the game ended 2-2. Despite being sent off in the final minutes for dissent, Jon Steedman was chosen as Thame?s man of the match. It must be said however that the referee made some poor decisions and was far too quick to reach for his cards.
Thame United: Bennion, Cowan, Hall, Meredith, Steedman, Keeble, Barr (I Pykett, N Rhodes), West, Stewart, Rogers, Ricketts.
United are at home this coming Saturday (3rd) when Witney Town are the visitors.
RACQUETS, Thame, shone once again when the club hosted the Harrow 2011 UK Racketball Series tournament on Saturday (November 26), where there was a record entry for the National Racketball Doubles Championship.
A full sixteen draw in the Men?s event was closely followed by a near capacity turn out in a quality based Mixed tournament. The Ladies category was played as a round robin with pairs guaranteed four matches over the weekend.
The England Squash & Racketball Championship was run in partnership with Simon Martin from Racquets with both parties very pleased with the event?s success. Simon commented: “As a club we are very proud to be associated with such a prestigious tournament and hope
that the refurbished facilities that were kindly funded by ESR were to the liking of all competitors.”
The Ladies? Championship was won by the Dorset pairing of Bev Vatcher and Vic Jarvis, narrowly overcoming a fierce challenge from Sam Mueller and local girl Beth John. It was testament to the event that all pairs were in with a chance of winning on Saturday evening such was the overall quality of the draw.
In the Mixed final, the Somerset pairing of Natalie Lawrence and Robert Watkins were no match for the 2008 champions Julie Lawton and Jim Lord. The experienced Lawton and the stylish Lord completed a comfortable 3-0 victory.
The Men?s clash proved an absolute classic between two times Champions Matt Baker(Devon) and Jim Lord (Yorks) and challengers Christian Turner (Devon) and Rob Watkins (Avon). Most of the capacity crowd anticipated a comfortable victory for the pairing of Baker and Lord but the opposition had very different ideas as they stormed into a 2-0 lead.
The reigning champions showed their determination as they rallied to level at 2-2, and once again many felt experience would tell in the deciding set. It was not to be as Turner and Watkins continued with their strategy of power and strength and prevailed 12-10 in the fifth set to a standing ovation.
Full Scores
Men’s Final:
Christian Turner and Rob Watkins bt Matt Baker and Jim Lord 3-2 (12/10, 12/10, 8/11, 8/11,
12/10)
Mixed Final:
Julie Lawton and Jim Lord bt Nat Lawrence
and Rob Watkins 3-0 (11/8, 11/9,
11/7)
Ladies Winners:
Bev Vatcher and Vic Jarvis (13 points)
Ladies Runners-up:
Sam Mueller and Beth John (12 points)
Mixed Final Winners: Julie Lawton and Jim Lord
Full results and report here:
LEAGUE MATCH – 19/11/11 – Thame United 3, Slimbridge 2 – CONTRIBUTED
IN one of the most entertaining games seen at the ASM Stadium this season Thame defeated Slimbridge 3-2 last Saturday. This was United?s fourth Successive win and a good victory for Thame as, at the start of the game, the visitors were six league places above their hosts, having had not lost an away game all season.
Unusually, Thame did not make any substitutions and ended the game with the same eleven players that had lined up at the start.
The first half hour was fairly even with both teams playing attractive attacking football. The visitors took the lead on 35 minutes when a long ball from defence resulted in a mix up between home defender Meredith Mitchell and out coming keeper Nick Bennion, allowing Slimbridge striker Alex Higgs to dribble the ball pass Bennion and hit it in onto an empty net from 20-yards. United equalised just before the break when Stewart rose to head an Aaron Rogers cross, but a defender intervened and fortunately the ball fell to Stewart, who reacted quickly to hit an acutely angled shot home from close range.
The resumption of play saw United attacking and, as a corner was taken, there was the usual amount of jostling near goal, however the referee saw an infringement and awarded a penalty. Stewart took the spot kick well giving the visiting keeper no chance. After a period of Thame pressure the visitors recovered and put the Thame goal under pressure. The on-form Bennion was kept busy and made a brilliant save from point-blank range. The pressure was rewarded in the 77th minute when substitute Dan Holliday hit a strong 20-yard free kick pass Bennion. So it was 2-2 with 13 minutes remaining. Three minutes later, Thame were awarded a free kick on the left and Rogers went one better by hitting a superb, well-placed, shot from 25-yards. Thame were under pressure for the rest of the game and could have conceded seconds before the final whistle when Sam Cowan almost headed into his own goal, but the ball hit the post and Bennion collected.
Thame United: Bennion, Cowan, Hall, Mitchell, Steadman, Hayes, Connelly, D West, Stewart, Rogers, Ricketts.
United are at home next Saturday (26th), when they meet Chalfont Wasps in the Hellenic League Supplementary Cup.