Category: Sports News

MATCH REPORT – Thame Netball Club, Wednesday 02/02/11 – Tornadoes 44 V Wasps Stingers 25. (Contributed)

TORNADOES achieved their best score of the season on Wednesday night, beating Wasps 44 ? 25. They demonstrated some outstanding netball and the win was the result of a great team effort. Wasps fought hard throughout the game but Tornadoes were on fine form. Excellent mid-court play and passing into the circle allowed Tornadoes to creep ahead.

Emma Young has a fantastic game at WA and her feeding into the circle was superb. Tornadoes kept the pressure on throughout the game and forced errors by Wasps. They were able to capitalise on this and once the ball was in the circle they made the most of every scoring opportunity. Player of the match was awarded to GS Lauren Fairbrother who played an excellent game and demonstrated some exceptional shooting. The win makes it close at the top of the table and means Tornadoes are still in with a chance of promotion.

Team: Hannah White (captain), Sheena Maguire, Karen Fowler, Lisa Sydenham, Emma Young, Lynn Palmer, Sarah Piddington, Helen Hann and Lauren Fairbrother.
Thame Netball Club has been funded by The Oxfordshire Community Foundation Grassroots Grants Project for the 2010/11 season.

MATCH REPORT: National 3 SW – Saturday, February 5 – Chinnor RFC away to Cheltenham (Contributed)- SCORE: Cheltenham 7, Chinnor 18.

IN a howling gale reminiscent of a home match, Chinnor eventually overcame a competitive Cheltenham side at the Prince of Wales Stadium by 18 points to 7.

With Matthew Hutchings now out until next season, Joe Winpenny captained the Chinnor XV. After last week?s bright start, Andy Berry was preferred at tight head with Ed Devine replacing the unfortunate Hutchings.

Play started with Chinnor losing the toss to play with the gale like wind at their backs. Cheltenham?s aggressive defence, particularly at the ruck, confined Chinnor, in the first quarter, to a number of long range penalty attempts which proved unsuccessful.

In the 18th minute, Chinnor thought they were in with the first score of the match when Morgan?s final pass was cynically batted away by Cheltenham winger Jack Davies, who earned a yellow card for the misdemeanour. Cathcart converted the penalty kick to open the scoring 3-0 to Chinnor.

Cheltenham were not to be denied and used their pick and drive game to great effect. Pressing the Chinnor line, the ball was turned over by Chinnor to allow a prodigious 70 metre kick from Cathcart. With Chinnor recovering the ball, a series of rucks eventually freed the ball to Goode to power over for the opening try on the 28th minute. With Cathcart?s conversion, Chinnor now led 10-0. A further penalty just before half time by Cathcart allowed the visitors to go in 13-0 ahead.

With the wind now at their backs, Cheltenham began brightly from the whistle. A long series of pick and drives eventually got Tigers? lock Joe Garner over the whitewash on the 45th minute for Cheltenham?s opening score. With the added points from Wilcox, Cheltenham were back in the match at 7-13. They continued to compete aggressively and only smart scramble defence from the visitors denied the home side a score. Despite this pressure, Chinnor scored the next try after a series of smart rolling mauls well organised by replacement hooker Cawston. Driving to the Cheltenham line, the ball was worked wide to Williams who tried to work his way inside his defender. The ball was lost backwards and a sharp pick up and acceleration to the line by Corpe put Chinnor 18-7 ahead on the 55th minute ? which proved to be the final score.

Matches played under extreme weather conditions are always unpredictable and both sides managed the conditions well. The Cheltenham pack was quick, organised and aggressive at the breakdown and caused Chinnor problems all day. They certainly didn?t play like a pack flirting with relegation.

Chinnor worked some useful positions, particularly down the right hand side, but were prone to a degree of panic with the last pass.

For Chinnor, Cathcart managed the game well and some prodigious kicks took the pressure off the visiting side. Berry seems to be adapting well to the tight head role and made some good tackles and turnovers. Great praise is due Cawston for his covering both the tight head and hooker positions with distinction and Hastings who moved from the No 8 position to inside centre, with some skill, when Goode had to retire. Devine?s tackling was a bonus and the back row seem to be a nicely balanced unit with a crafty Harrison, a rumbustious Vickers and a dynamic Hastings.

The player who contributed most to the Chinnor victory, however, was Andrew Smith (pictured) who continually stopped anyone coming through, took the ball up muscularly and tidied up anything that looked messy ? an all round athletic and powerful display.

Scorers:

Cheltenham: Garner T; Wilcox C
Chinnor: Goode T; Corpe T; C, 2PG

Chinnor team: Williams, Morgan, Goode (Cawston 73), Angell (Green 59), Corpe, Cathcart, Hopwood, Winpenny (c), Tattersall, Berry 32, Devine (Mowbray 55), Smith, Vickers, Harrison, Hastings

Replacements: Cawston, Mowbray, Green

THAME BOYS 7 v Chinnor Youth 2; Sunday, January 30th:

THAME Boys completed the double over Chinnor in fine style with a result that didn’t reflect the dominance that Thame had in this entertaining game. The manner of this victory was a reward for all the hard work put in by Thame Boys in training this season. The passing was a joy to watch and the tenacity as an added feature, exemplified by Louie Butler, Thame’s man-of the match.

Thame had six different names on the score sheet demonstrating the options available to the coaches and the team work ethic now instilled in this exciting squad of young players.

After a scrappy first 10 minutes Thame started to play some of the best one touch football seen all season and Chinnor could only clear the ball as an
option. Having levelled an Alex McDonald solo goal with a break away goal, further Thame goals were added by a rampant and skilful Max Brown, a well taken left foot lob from Ross Hampshire, another clinically dispatched penalty from Oliver Ralphs and Nathan added to the half time total to go in comfortably at
5-1.

After the break, Thame added another goal from Brad with a superb long range shot that clearly bounced over the line before the swarming Thame attack
followed up with a tap in. Thame changed things about and the match evened up in the final 15 minutes, the Chinnor number 7 always looking dangerous, and put in a superb performance to gain a consolation goal towards the end. Alex Mac added a seventh and was denied another by a keeper who was clearly their
man-of-the-match in making four second half saves that looked like certain goals.

Thame played great football to further extend their lead at the top of the table but their style of play was the pleasing aspect of this game. Every player
contributed to a fine team performance, either setting up their team mates or backing them up with some excellent tackles and cover at the back and midfield.
Duncan Holt did not put a foot wrong at the back and distributed the ball superbly every time but was pipped by Louie to man-of-the-match due to fact the
Louie won every tackle he went in for.

CHINNOR RFC – National 3 SW – Match on Saturday, January 29; Chinnor 24 Vs Bridgwater & Albion 18; MATCH REPORT: Contributed

SUFFERING a number of injuries, Chinnor called on their younger squad players who did not disappoint in providing a 24-18 victory over visitors Bridgwater & Albion from Somerset.

Sam Angell made his starting debut for Chinnor and Andy Berry at tight head made his first (and significant) appearance for the home side.

On a bitterly cold day and with the biting wind at their backs, Chinnor started well but it was the visitors overturning ball near their own line that took the play to the Chinnor red zone. Chinnor defended manfully but eventually gave way to the pressure and Bridgwater flanker Rob Burnell drove over for the first score. With just 9 minutes gone and a successful conversion, Bridgwater led 7-0.

Chinnor immediately went on the attack but were thwarted by some illegal play such that Somerset referee Jonathan Healy carded two Bridgwater players within a minute of each other. The first saw blindside flanker Carl Brown carded on 15 minutes for not retreating 10 metres from a tap penalty. The second was against Bridgwater scrum half Dominik Griffin who quite cynically prevented a pushover try despite warning from the referee. Not only did Griffin?s action earn him a yellow card but it also gained a penalty try for Chinnor, converted by Cathcart to level the score at 7-7.

Cathcart attempted a 35m penalty which to all but the visiting touch judge appeared a sound score. After some hesitation, the referee ruled the score out, to the amazement of the crowd. Chinnor went ahead in the 37th minute when a barnstorming run by Chinnor?s Vickers was halted just shy of the try line. Quick recycling saw Goode blaze over and with Cathcart?s conversion, Chinnor went in at half time 14-7 ahead.

The first score of the second half came from the visitors when Williams slotted a penalty goal for a Chinnor ruck infringement. Just two minutes later, on the 54th minute, Bridgwater went ahead in the match when Chinnor succumbed to a sucker punch. A well worked Bridgwater lineout saw the ball switched to a runner down the tram tracks who flicked the ball inside to open side Burnell for a straight run to the line without a Bridgwater player being touched. Inexplicably, Williams missed the easy conversion but Bridgy were now 15-14 ahead.

Chinnor pressed and pressed the stout visiting defence without fortune until Cathcart, from 20m out dummied a pass and side stepped two defenders to score by the posts. Converting his own try, Cathcart restored the lead to Chinnor, 21-15. Having hit the cross bar with a previous drop goal attempt, Bridgwater, in the shape of fly half Osborne?s sweetly hit snap kick from 35 metres out, pulled the deficit back to 21-18.

The final score of the match went to Chinnor with Cathcart landing a 35m penalty in the difficult wind to give a final score of 24-18 to Chinnor.

Bridgwater proved to be worthy and difficult opponents. Chinnor will be pleased with their pack, although referee Healy?s unsympathetic refereeing of Chinnor?s front row dominance will have irked. The back row were busy and Vickers again caught the eye with his barnstorming pugnacity. Andrew Smith at lock was again masterful in both the loose and the tight. Andy Berry making his debut for the 1st XV looked very comfortable. Chinnor?s young backs did well with Angell showing neat hands but Cathcart stole the honours with a try, a penalty goal and three conversions. All in all, it was a great improvement from the previous week.

Scorers:
Chinnor: Penalty T; Goode T; Cathcart T; 3C, PG
Bridgwater: Burnell 2T; Williams C, PG; Osborne DG

Chinnor team: Williams, Morgan, Goode, Angell (Green 67), Corpe, Cathcart, Hopwood, Winpenny, Cawston, Pickett (Berry 32), Hutchings, Smith, Vickers, Harrison (Devine 67) Hastings

Replacements: Berry, Devine, Green

LORD Williams?s School has progressed through seven rounds of the Daily Mail Under 18’s Rugby Vase unbeaten. Today?s tight result was 5-3 against Richard Huish College from Taunton.

They are now through to the Quarter finals of this national competition.

The team is coached by Darren Oxley assisted by Luke Gardiner. Most of the boys play for Chinnor RFC.

MATCH Saturday, January 30 Hellenic Supplementary Cup – Rayners Lane 3, Vs Thame united 3; MATCH REPORT: Mark West took the opportunity presented by this Supplementary Cup tie to rotate the squad, as Ollie Gomersall, Alex Jewell and Lawrence Clark were called-up from the successful reserve side, whilst keeper Lee Orkney returned to the first team for the first time this season following knee surgery.

And it was Orkney who was the outstanding performer as his man-of-the-match display ultimately ensured Thame progressed to the next round.

The opening exchanges of the match were fairly even, but the hosts started to create the clearer openings and almost took the lead after 10 minutes when a Rayners Lane forward found himself in space only eight yards from goal, but Orkney did well to block his shot. Shortly afterwards Orkney was again called on, acrobatically pushing a goal bound header over the bar. It was not all one-way traffic though, as Jewell fashioned some clear openings, whilst Stuart Barr was causing trouble down the Thame left. However, it was Rayners Lane who opened the scoring after 25 minutes. The home side were awarded a free kick that was flicked on at the near post and finished well, giving Orkney no chance. Thame were back on level terms five minutes later as Mitchell Meredith played a Barr corner back across goal for Nik Rhodes to finish confidently.

With the game even at half time, Thame started the second half brightly. After 48 minutes Mark Jones won a free kick on the edge of the box, which Meredith powerfully placed in to the bottom corner. That, unfortunately, was as good as it got for Thame as an attacking force as Rayners Lane pushed Thame deep in to their own half in search of an equaliser. Orkney was forced in to several good saves until, with 15 minutes to go, he could do little to stop the equaliser as the Rayners Lane striker cut inside to score from 15 yards.

That is how the match finished after 90 minutes. Going in to extra time it was advantage Rayners Lane as, after 9 minutes, Thame failed to clear a corner and a shot from the edge of the box came through a bunch of players to beat Orkney. Again, Thame came back and five minutes later a Barr corner was forced home at the near post by Nik Rhodes.

The game finished 3-3 and went in to penalties. With both sides missing, and Rayners Lane having the opportunity to win at 3-2, Orkney pulled off a fine save. Thame then got themselves 5-4 ahead in sudden death before Orkney became the match winner with a stupendous stop, that sees Thame progress to the next round.

Thame United: Orkney, Rockell, Way, Meredith, Rhodes, Connelly (Clark), Cowan, Gomersall, Jones (Hayes), Jewell, Barr.

THE Grand Refurb Open Graded Squash Tournament at Racquets Fitness Centre over the weekend was a chance for local squash players to see some of their heroes in action.

In all there were 75 entries of all standards, and from all over the UK for this tournament which was held to celebrate the

A GROUP of young footballers from Thame’s twin town of Montesson is to visit Thame later in the year to take part in a tournament at Meadow View Park.

The young French players will join Thame Boys Youth & Girls FC to participate in their six-a-side Summer Festival of Football in June, 2011.

Arrangements are currently being made between the leaders of the two national teams, and include a Barbecue on the final evening.

The Event will be held over two days on the weekend in June as follows:

Sat 10th June
Sun 11th June

The exact playing time for each age group will be advised after receipt of entries, on confirmation, 3-4 weeks before the tournament.

Entries will be invited for teams Under 7 to Under 14. It is possible to enter more than one team for each age group. (six a-side)

More details will be available soon.

PHOTO: Montesson’s young footballers in action

LEAGUE GAME- 22/01/11 – Thame United 2, Pegasus Juniors 1; MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bob Dixon)

THAME United narrowly defeated, Hereford based, Pegasus Juniors at the ASM stadium on Saturday with an extra-time penalty. Yet it was a game they could have won comfortably. United had the majority of ball possession and created more chances than the visitors. Some first-rate goalkeeping and frantic defending however prevented a straightforward victory.

Thame started brightly and went ahead in the fifth minute. Aaron Rogers fed the ball to Luke Ricketts, who ran to the left by-line before crossing and Alex Stewart met the ball, finishing confidently from six yards. The next few minutes saw the visiting keeper pull of excellent saves from Sam Cowan and Stuart Barr.

Thame were looking dangerous with Stewart?s flick-ons, and glancing headers creating chances. Both Ricketts and Barr were in good form, making good runs on their wings, and it looked to be only a matter if time before the second goal came. As the half progressed, however the visitors recovered, won more territory, and managed to hit the crossbar just before half time.

The second half continued with Barisic largely untroubled and the visiting keeper kept busy, pulling of one particularly good save by diving at Stewart?s feet. The game want through a scrappy phase with United seemingly destined to hang onto their narrow lead. Then, in the first minute of injury time, a through ball was fed to visiting striker Tom Boyle who ran at the Thame goal and finished well from 15-yards.

The game restarted and Barr made a run on the right, heading for the by-line, before being tripped by a defender. Referee Bayliss immediately pointed to the penalty spot. The visitors protested, and one of them was sent off. Stewart hit a hard well-placed penalty, giving the heroic keeper no chance. The final whistle blew seconds after the restart.

Thame United: Barisic. N Rhodes, Newell (Rockell), Saulsbury, Brown, Cowan, Barr, Hayes (Jones), Stewart, Rogers (Hunt), Ricketts.

PHOTO: Scorer of Thame’s last-minute penalty, Alex Steward

MATCH REPORT: (Contributed by Andy McDonald) Haddenham Youth 1 v 14 Thame Boys U12 – THAME Boys continued their impressive form at Haddenham over the weekend, with a great team effort and a determination to win improves every week. Haddenham put in a valiant effort and after Thame had taken the lead through Max Brown soon after kick off, Haddenham levelled with a well taken break away following an unfortunate rebound from the Thame defence.

Things looked even until Thame?s Nathan slammed in to take Thame ahead after 15 minutes. Austin Hayden leapt up to nod Thame further ahead and Ross Hampshire was put through and smashed the ball home impressively to make it 4. Stuart Campbell scored a splendid solo goal almost from his own half to extend the lead. Thame possession became rampant with each player showing determination to win the ball back every time it was in play, a feature that has improved over the last few weeks of Thame?s games. The 14 goals came from a collection of players, 3 from Max, 3 from Ross, 4 from Alex McDonald, 2 from Stuart, 1 from Austin and Nathan. But the team played well as a unit and the goals came as a result of some hard work from Cameron McLaren, great dribbling and crossing from Max Brown and excellent through balls from the defence including Austin, Matthew Shaw and the injured George Bennetts and Duncan Holt, 2 players who showed their determination to play despite their injury niggles. Thame also welcomed back the strength and tenacity of Louie Butler looking sharp after his mid season injury. Lewis Hall continued his form by sticking to any right wing attack that came his way and Bradley Young came on to add more power especially with some excellent heading. Alex Ingle was introduced to add yet more pace to the Thame attack. Aidan Gerrard had a quiet game but when called in to action distributed the ball to an immediate attack and Thame will require his impressive shot-stopping skills with some tough games coming up.

Haddenham continued to compete throughout this game and should be given credit for their efforts against a team in fine form.

Thame highlights were a first hat rick for Ross, an impressive solo goal from Stuart and some lovely footwork from Max but overall the enjoyment and teamwork shown by Thame Boys.