Category: Sports News

ANTICIPATION is building at Thame’s local rugby club, chinnor RFC, as the boys look forward to the biggest event of the season, the club’s meeing with Oxford Harlequins in the final of the Oxfordshire Cup.

The two teams have met twice this season in the National League Division 3 SW, each winning at their home ground. Chinnor finished fourth in the league, and Quins 10th. Whoever wins this match will lift the County Trophy.

Chinnor won the cup last year, but had to be given a copy temporarily when Quins failed to hand over the real thing for several weeks. Unhappily for Chinnor, when it was finally received, there was a dent in it and it looked as though it hadn’t been cleaned for some time. Let’s hope its bright and shiny for whoever lifts the Trophy on April 24.

The match will be at Oxford University RFC, Iffley Road, Oxford on Easter Sunday, April 24, kick off likely to be 3.30pm. Entrance price will be

MATCH REPORT courtesy of Dave Winpenny: THE sun was shining to mark the end of the season game against Newton Abbot on Saturday, April 16. Many of the Chinnor faithful were feeling the effects of a long season after attending the previous evenings Sportsman?s? Dinner where they listened to the wise words of Dean Richards and sampled the fine food and wine until the early hours. So an exciting game was needed to bring the league season to a close.

On the first game of the season Chinnor visited Newton Abbot full of expectation and were frustrated to come away with a draw against this newly promoted side. The season has shown that Newton Abbot were well worth their draw and this game was one which both teams wanted to win as the victory would mean either 4th or 5th position in the final league table for the winning side.

Chinnor started positively with strong forward movements that drove Newton Abbot back towards their line. After 6 minutes the pressure showed after a series of rucks and mauls produced good ball for the backs to attempt to pierce the Newton Abbot defence. One such move allowed Huw Morgan to go over in the far corner for the first try of the game. The conversion by James Cathcart was successful as he continued to show how dangerous he is within 50 metres of the posts.

The game then entered a period of pressure from Newton Abbot where they pushed Chinnor back to their line, but on every journey into Chinnor territory the Newton Abbot handling let them down and Chinnor were able to relieve the pressure.

Two penalties by Cathcart and 1 from Alex Jeffrey Newton Abbot?s scrum half were the only points scored in the rest of the first half. Half time score 13 ? 3.

The second half started and looked like it was going to be a dour affair with neither side really showing any ability to break down the defences of their opponents. Both sets of supporters were becoming increasingly frustrated with the antics of both sets of players at the breakdown as many of these seemed to be missed by the officials. Unfortunately for Chinnor the referee decided to act and put Nick Harrison into the bin for 10 minutes.

With one player off the field, Chinnor were under pressure and Newton Abbot started to camp out in the Chinnor 22. As Newton Abbot put better phases of play together they finally got their reward as they tied up the Chinnor players to create an overlap for the Newton Abbot winger Jake Monnington to go over in the corner. The try was not converted. 13 ? 8.

Changes were made in the Chinnor team with Ian Stock replacing Joe Pickett and Mark Chase replacing Sam Angell. These changes made a major change to the direction of the game within minutes. Mark Chase? direct running causes all sorts of chaos in the Newton Abbot defence and suddenly Chinnor were on the front foot.

In a period of 22 minutes, Chinnor scored 4 tries with sparkling running lines and powerful pressure from backs and forwards. Ed Vickers scored a try after a period of dominating scrum performance from the Chinnor pack that was now clearly in the ascendency. Toby Prescott moving to the wing with Ricky Hopwood at scrum half gave Chinnor another dimension and Prescott was rewarded with a try after some sparkling runs by Goode and Chase. Two more tries came on 72 and 76 minutes as the Chinnor pack totally overwhelmed the Newton Abbot scrum and were able to deliver great ball that resulted in tries for Richie Williams and Ricky Hopwood. Cathcart of course, converted all 4 tries.

The Chinnor faithful enjoyed the sun recovering (slowly) from the excesses of the night before and after last week?s game against champions elect Hartpury, it was the perfect riposte to cement forth position in the final league table and set up the team for the Oxfordshire Cup Final on Easter Sunday.

LEAGUE MATCH – 12/04/11 – Carterton 1, Thame United 1; MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bob Dixon)

A GOAL in added time secured a point for Thame United at Carterton on Tuesday evening. Due to suspension and injury, key strikers James Faulkner, Alex Stewart, and Aaron Rogers did not play but fortunately Tom Hoskin, on Easter recess from university, was able to wear the number 9 shirt. This was United?s 7th game in 15 days, whilst it was their hosts 4th. It was a game where the pace was fast, possession was fairly even, but neither team, were able to create many chances, and defences dominated.

Carterton opened the scoring in the 15th minute, with their first real attack, when a corner was awarded on the right. A United head cleared the ball but it fell to defender Tom Perry, on the left edge of the area, who was able to hit a strong volley through the crown giving Thame keeper, Tom Plumbridge no chance. Thame then created a few off-target chances and towards the end of the half, Luke Ricketts was unlucky to see his strong goal bound shot blocked by a defender.

The second half was similar, but as it progressed, United started to press harder with Stuart Braun and Ben Connelly forcing good saves from the home keeper. In the final few minutes, Thame played with four up front. With a minute of added time remaining, the ball found Hoskin central, just outside the area, who cleverly flicked the ball into the path of Mitchell Meredith whose strong low shot beat the keeper from 12-yards.

Thame United: Plumbridge, Barr, Newell, Meredith, Saulsbury, Hunt (Smail), Connelly, Braun, Hoskin, N. Rhodes, Ricketts.

EVER thought of playing cricket in Thame? Well, now that the new season has arrived, Thame Town Cricket Club are looking for more players to join their team.

The club has just installed new nets and training equipment, thanks to generous grant funding and donations from David Wilson Homes, among others.

Training sessions using indoor nets at Lord Williams?s Lower School are run by the club on Sunday evenings from 8pm until 9.15pm and are open to players of all abilities. Players must be over 14 to join the senior team but there are plenty of opportunities for younger members.

LEAGUE GAME: 07/04/11 Away – Abingdon Town 1, Thame United 2; MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

UNITED regained ninth league place on Thursday evening, when they visited Abingdon Town and came back with a 1-2 win. The game was a joy to watch. It saw two fairly evenly matched sides determined to play fast, attractive, open football in a game controlled by a referee who got most decisions right, allowed the game to flow, and kept his cards in his pocket. The game also saw a strong contender for United?s goal of the season.

The home side took the lead nine minutes in, when Lance Williams met an in swinging corner with a powerful, close range header. United equalised five minutes later. The on-form Connor Hunt played a long cross field ball to Aaron Rogers on the right. Rogers controlled it well and struck a quality 35-yard rocket taking the keeper, and everyone else, by surprise. The remainder of the half saw chances at both ends with James Faulkner twice forcing the home keeper into action. The half finished with the score even, but Thame just ?ahead on points?.

Ten minutes after the restart Rogers hit another long range shot which the home keeper did well to get fingertips to and push over. The resultant corner saw a defender clear a Thame header off the line. Milan Barisic was busy, but he commanded the Thame goal and confidently dealt with the Abingdon threat. On 70 minutes Faulkner ran on the right, beating two markers before squaring to Stuart Braun, whose hurried shot was wide. This proved to be a rehearsal of Thame?s second goal which came a few minutes later. This time Faulkner, central and just into the Abingdon half played the ball to Rogers, whose pace beat the offside trap before heading for the right by line and pulling the ball back for Braun to finish well from 10 yards.

Rogers, his job done was rested and was replaced by Sam Cowan in his first appearance since injury. The final minutes saw frantic defending but Thame held out to deservedly take the points.

Thame United: Barisic, Barr, Newell, Meredith, Saulsbury, Hayes, Hunt, Braun, Rogers (Cowan), Faulkner, Ricketts

RACQUETS Fitness Centre, Thame, is taking booking now for a three-day, Junior Easter Camp, to run from April 13, to April 20.

Visit Racquets website for more info

KIDS from Thame Swimming club took part in a mammoth swimming challenge on Sunday evening, 27th March, expecting to raise

LEAGUE GAME: 02/04/11 – Ascot United 2, Thame United 0-MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

THAME UNITED failed to score for the first time in eight games on Saturday (02/04) at Ascot, where they were defeated 2-0. Both teams had played twice in midweek and as a result looked weary.

The opening exchanges saw fairly even possession with neither team creating chances but then on 15 minutes Thame keeper Lee Orkney was forced to make an outstanding close range save by deflecting the ball onto the crossbar. Possession was even, but it was the home team who were creating the chances, forcing Orkney into action, and twice hitting the woodwork. Thame however struggled to find away through to goal, and went in for the break having not really tested the home keeper.

The second half continued in the same vein. Thame?s best chance fell to James Faulkner, on 60 minutes but his shot was scuffed and the home keeper saved comfortably. Ascot took the lead in the 64th minute when a free kick was met with a strong header onto the crossbar but the ball came out to Ollie Lambert who headed in from close range. Ascot?s second came seven minutes later via a set piece. A corner on the right was played back to defender Rob Gier who hit a superb 30-yard screamer into the top left, giving Orkney no chance.

Thame?s Conor Hayes was shown a yellow card for what looked like a fair tackle, after which manager Mark West became increasingly vocal in his criticism of the referees decisions, many of which were highly questionable. With about 15 minutes remaining, West was dismissed from the technical area and watched the remainder of the game from the touchline. It was from there that he saw Thame?s only other chance, when Nik Rhodes headed a Luke Ricketts corner just over the bar.

Thame United: Orkney, Meredith, Pykett, Saulsbury, N. Rhodes, Hayes, Barr, Rogers, Faulkner, Ricketts.

There is a double bill at the ASM Stadium next Saturday 9th. The reserves kick off at 12.00 against Newbury reserves, whilst the first team face Fairford Town at 3.00.

OXFORDSHIRE Senior Cup Semi Final – Saturday, April 2; GROVE 0 Vs CHINNOR 73. MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

IN a somewhat one-sided match, Chinnor overcame plucky Grove 73-0 to ease their way into the final of the Oxfordshire Cup.

Chinnor, with respect to their hosts who play some two divisions below, selected a full strength squad. The first of Chinnor’s 13 tries came when Sam Angell stole the ball at a ruck to allow Mark Chase to weave his way to the line and slip Mowbray in for the touchdown. Chase was the next to score for Chinnor after receiving a wide miss pass after good approach work from the forwards. Chinnor continued scrum pressure on the home side and Prescott, in the speed of a blink, tapped a penalty from a scrum offence and dotted down in the corner for Chinnor’s third try.

Grove competed admirably but the tightly organised Chinnor defence suffocated any chance of a Grove attack starting. James Serrano was next on the score sheet for Chinnor when a Grove kick was fielded and quickly worked to Serrano who bashed over for try number four. A Grove indiscretion at a ruck resulted in Chinnor fly half Cathcart kicking for touch. From the resultant lineout, Chinnor patiently drove over for a try with Hastings touching down. Shortly afterwards, from another lineout, Chinnor worked the ball quickly across the field to left wing Williams who trotted over in the corner for try number six. From the restart, Chinnor worked the ball into the Grove 22 and set up a rolling maul which allowed Hastings to bag his second try of the day. This resulted in Cathcart’s first conversion of the afternoon to bring the score to 37-0 in favour of the visitors.

Grove attempted to pierce the Chinnor defensive line with a grubber kick. Chinnor scrum-half Prescott, sweeping behind the line, smoothly collected the ball and scooted off down the tramlines for his second try of the day, Cathcart again converting. At 44-0, the whistle blew for half time.

Chinnor used the half-time break to make replacements. Harry Jackman, Joe Winpenny and Nick Harrison made way for Ian Stock in the front row, Ed Vickers and Alex Fan in the back row.

Fan was soon in the action when, seizing a dropped ball, sprinted 40m to the Grove touchline for a try. Cathcart converted to bring the score to 51-0 to the visitors from Thame. Another patiently executed rolling maul from the visitors saw Stock touchdown for a try, again converted by Cathcart to bring the score to 58-0. More pressure from the forwards allowed Chase to dance his way to the Grove line for try number 11. The best of Chinnor?s tries of the day came next as a complicated inter-passing run down the blindside involving six different players allowed Prescott his hat-trick try. Williams completed the scoring by touching down for Chinnor’s final try of the day, making the final score 73-0 to Chinnor.

Scorers:

Chinnor: Prescott 3T; Chase 2T; Hastings 2T; Williams 2T; Mowbray T; Serrano T; Fan T; Stock T; Cathcart 4C

Chinnor team: Chase, Serrano (Green 25), Morgan, Angell, Williams, Cathcart (Goode 70), Prescott, Winpenny (Stock 40), Cawston, Pickett, Jackman (Vickers 40), Smith, Hastings, Harrison (Fan 40), Mowbray

Replacements: Stock, Fan, Vickers, Goode, Green

LEAGUE MATCH – 31/03/11 – Thame United 1, Highworth Town 1- MATCH REPORT

IN a repeat of the score line when these teams last met in October, Thame United drew 1-1 with Wiltshire based Highworth Town on Thursday evening at the ASM Stadium. It was a fast flowing, entertaining game which neither team deserved to lose.

The first half was saw chances at both ends with Thame?s James Faulkner placing a shot just wide after a few minutes and home keeper Milan Barisic producing two good saves as the half progressed. The stalemate was broken 2 minutes before the break. Mitchell Meredith?s throw in on the right was played to Alex Stewart who intelligently knocked the ball into the path of Faulkner, giving him the time to pick his spot and finish confidently from 15-yards.

The second half was just as lively but went through a bad tempered phase resulting in one Highworth, and two Thame bookings. As full time approached the visitors intensified their pressure on the Thame goal but Barisic was in good form, and made some first class saves. With 2 minutes to play however visiting substitute Richie Saunders tried a speculative, but well-placed shot from 30-yards. Barisic must have been unsighted as he seemed to dive late and the ball beat him to finish low into the left corner.

The game ended on a sour note. Immediately after the final whistle Faulkner was shown a straight red card. It seems he told the referee that he had had a poor game; but perhaps not quite in those words.

Thame United: Barisic, Meredith, P Pykett, N Rhodes, Saulsbury, Hayes, Connelly (Barr), Rogers (Braun), Stewart, Faulkner, Ricketts.