Category: Sports News

TWO racquet sports enthusiasts from Thame will attempt to smash the Guiness World Record for a squash marathon to raise money for Cancer Research.

Guy Fotherby and Nick Wynd, both based at Racquets Fitness Centre, 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

TO find out, Thamenews.net took two local golfers along to the Oxfordshire to play a round of golf on its beautifully manicured green to test out the latest of this type of gizmo, the Divnick, 33-In-1 golf club.

Nick Kilner, a Farrier based in Chinnor, and Ian Jones, an expert in explosive devices who lives in Thame, agreed to test drive the Divnick, alternating with it and the appropriate golf club to make comparisons with the feel, range and accuracy.

Before we find out what conclusion Nick and Ian came to after four and a half hours of playing on one of the best kept greens in the area, on one of the most beautifully sunny mornings all summer, here are the technicals.

The Divnick works by adjusting to 33 different loft angles, enabling you to carry more than twice the number of allowable clubs in one hand. A gear system inside the heel tilts the clubhead in 1/2-loft increments, allowing golfers to choose from five putters, two drivers, three fairway woods, 14 irons, or nine wedges, with the twist of a dial.

The maker claims that the club has the look and feel of a classic iron but its adjustable head quickly transforms it from a 64

MATCH REPORT – Thame United 3, Wokingham & Emmbrook 2
16/08/11-League: THAME United defeated Wokingham & Emmbrook 3-2 in an entertaining game at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening (16/08). The game saw the league debut of goalkeeper Nick Bennion due to an injury to regular keeper Milan Barisic.

The game started fairly evenly but the visitors went ahead after 6 minutes, when Sam Whiting hit a strong dipping volley from 25-yards. Thame countered and equalised in the 19th minute. Ben Connolly collected the ball near the right corner flag, beat his man and ran along the by-line before cutting the ball back to Dan West whose first time 15-yard volley gave the visiting keeper no chance. United created some good chances with an Aaron Rogers header hitting the woodwork and Alex Stewart forcing a fingertip save from the keeper. Thame?s second goal came after 35 minutes. West collected the ball near the left corner and hit a cross which Rogers headed home from a seemingly impossibly acute angle. The home side?s third goal came just before the break, when a slick passing move involving Rogers, West and Connelly created the space for Rogers to fire home from 15-yards.

The visitors brought on two substitutes for the second half but, although they looked stronger, their chances were few. Thame, on the other hand were creating chances but not taking them. Nik Rhodes, Rogers, Stewart, and West all had attempts on goal but they were either wide or saved by the busy goalkeeper. The visitors pulled a goal back in the final minute when the impressive Whiting ran on the left and hit a 20- yard screamer, giving Bennion no chance. Injury time was tense but Thame held out to take the points.

Thame United: Bennion, Willett, Steedman Cowan), Brown (Mitchell), N. Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, West, Stewart, Rogers (Dean), Ricketts.

SOURCE: Contributed – By Bob Dixon

WITH the beginning of the 2011/12 rugby season upon us, Chinnor Rugby Club, based in Thame, has two, pre-season friendlies arranged for the first & second teams. The first is this Saturday, August 18, at home v Cirencester. The second is on August 27, at home again against Tring.

Jason Bowers has strengthened the coaching team with the addition of Mike Moran who takes charge of the seconds. First team players, Andy Smith and Matt Goode, will be assisting. Last season the club finished fourth with Hartpury College being outright winners and taking promotion.

This season the club is aiming for promotion to Division Two (Level 4). So spectators can expect very competitive matches. The pre-season matches are free of charge with the added bonus of Lewis?s excellent beer and Jackie?s home cooking. A pie & pint for

DESPITE several promising signings and some encouraging pre-season performances, Thame United lost their opening league game 1-3 to Highworth Town at the ASM Stadium on Saturday.

Last season the visitors finished six league places higher than Thame, but United did drew twice with them. It was therefore always going to be a tough game but after the first 10 minutes, Thame were ?on the back foot? as they struggled to create chances; the visiting goalkeeper was rarely tested and the result was a fair reflection of the game.

Thame started brightly and took the lead in the 6th minute with some slick football. New signing Jon Steedman played the ball to Dan West whose pass to Aaron Rogers was brilliantly returned, finding West in enough space to comfortably side-foot the ball home from 8-Yards. The tide then turned and the visitors equalised on 26 minutes when, following a corner, Tony Joyce hit a 15-yard shot through a crowded goalmouth which seemed to take a deflection and beat Thame keeper Milan Barisic. Highworth took the lead shortly before half time when Danny Hilder found enough space to hit a spectacular, well-placed 25-yard shot pass a surprised Barisic.

The second half saw the visitors continue to win more of the ball and lackluster United unable to penetrate their well-organised defence. Highworth increased their lead in the 75th minute when they broke quickly leaving the home side?s defence outnumbered and some smooth passing enabled Hilder to finish well from 10-yards.

The game was not the start that Thame wanted or expected, but it is early days, and they will have learned from the encounter.

Thame United: Barisic, Meredith (Willetts), Steedman, N Rhodes, Brown (Cowan), Hayes, Connelly, D. West (Dean), Stewart, Rogers, Ricketts.

SOURCE: Press release
PHOTO: Mark West

SIGN UP now for Chinnor Rugby Club’s summer rugby camp organized and hosted by Matt Hutchings, Monday, August 29, to Thursday, September 1, 10am ? 3pm; Ages 5 ? 12 years.

The camp is a fun and safe environment aimed for either club players wanting to learn new skills or new players wanting an introduction to rugby.

Players need to be aged 5-12 yrs and will be grouped accordingly.

Pack lunch, drinks, warm clothes and change of/wet weather clothes will be required.

For further information and to book on the course, contact Matt on tel: 07736032847 or alternatively email: hutch42001@yahoo.co.uk.

MEMBERS of High Wycombe Cycle Club, including members from Thame, were joined by an unexpected guest rider over the weekend, when Olympic oarsman, James Cracknell took part in his first time trial.

Last Sunday (31/07), in near perfect conditions, the West London Cycling Association held their 25 mile time trial on the H25/2 course. The course covers the Marlow by-pass and A/4 towards Reading.

54 riders took part from various clubs around the district, including High Wycombe CC, represented by Adam Topham, Geoff Powell and Thame resident, John Francis.

It was a good day for the Wycombe riders as Adam Topham came in first overall with a time of 51 mins 15 seconds. HWCC also scooped the team award given to three riders from the same club with the lowest amalgamated time. John Francis claimed fourth veteran position with a personal best for a 25, of 59:03.

The team time on the day set new High Wycombe CC club records of 2:46:07 and a new vets record on standard with a plus of 49:07 (This is an age related time system widely used in vets time trialling.)

After recording a time of 56:56, James Cracknell awarded the medals.

Picture by Jim Burgin, WLCA

THAME’S local football partnership has launched an exciting new opportunity for any young person mad on football, who would like to make it their career!

The TFP Football Academy programme is designed for individuals aged 16+ who are looking to develop a career within the football industry, coaching or sports development.

Generic coaching programmes are also available. The training programmes will all take place at Meadowview Park and will be delivered by the Premier Sports Group in association with Lord Williams?s School and Thame Football Partnership at several levels. Students will undertake a full time training and playing schedule along with personalised fitness and development programmes alongside industry recognised qualifications. The Level 2 pathway is a 12 month Apprenticeship, whilst the Level 3 pathway is a two year course.

For more information, call 01844 214401 or e-mail frank.thompson@thamefootball.co.uk

To download the form, click on ,a href=”http://www.thamefootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/TFP-Football-Academy1.pdf”target=”_blank”>http://www.thamefootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/TFP-Football-Academy1.pdf

MANAGER Mark West has expressed his pleasure with Thame?s first half performance against Burnham on Saturday, despite his team falling to a 4-1 defeat. Burnham started brightly but after 10 minutes Thame got into their stride and dominated the majority of the remainder of the half.

Conor McDonagh looking very lively up front with Alex Stewart and Aaron Rogers excelling in a wide midfield role. Jon Steadman impressed also in the central defensive role with Sam Cowan. Thame really should have been three goals up before the interval and Dan West was very unlucky with a tremendous volley from 20 yards that clipped the bar.

Thame?s approach play at times was excellent with some really good flowing moves that just lacked the final finis. West commented after the game: ?The performance was more important than the result and after making a lot of changes at half-time it gave Frank and myself an opportunity to look at some of the other players but overall, I’m really happy with what we saw.”

On Tuesday (July 19), Thame have a local derby as they face Aylesbury FC, with a 7.45pm kick-off. This will be followed by another Southern League side on Thursday, July 21, when Marlow FC visit the ASM stadium. Kick off for this match is 7.30pm and the week is completed on Saturday, July 23, with another local derby against Aylesbury United, kick off at 3.00pm. Please come along and support the team at the ASM.

SOURCE: Contributed

The Ten peaks Challenge July 1, 2011
http://www.10peaks.com/ CONTRIBUTED: On Friday, July 1, the Racquets team made their way to the Lake District to take part in the Ten peaks challenge, which consisted of ascending 5600 meters, covering over 73 kilometers and touching the ten highest peaks in the Lake District. Our aim was to raise