Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

CHINNOR RFC, despite a late rally from visitors Old Elthamians from Chislehurst in Kent, came through to earn much needed points in the National Two South relegation battle, winning 39-31. This fifth win in the last six matches moved the Oxfordshire boys one place further from the relegation zone.

The first half belonged to Chinnor, gaining the bonus point try by the 28th minute. Angell began the scoring with a dart through from midfield after a Chinnor line out from a penalty in the visitors 22. Old Elthamians came back instantly when Olly Vidgeon danced through the midfield to square the scores at 7-7. Chinnor then hit a purple 10 minute patch with tries from Phipps and a double from Oscar Heath (moving him to second in the league’s try scorers table). Minutes later, Fatialofa joined the back of a rolling maul for another try. Fatialofa was then sinbinned and Old Elthamians seized the opportunity to come back with a try on half time from Dewale. White’s conversion saw half time with Chinnor 31-14 to the good.

Although Chinnor scored again quickly after the restart from Lamont, the second half saw the visitors score 17 points to Chinnor’s 8. A try from Dowsett was shortly followed by a penalty try to the visitors from Kent on 68 minutes for collapsing the maul to bring the score back to 36-26. A penalty goal from Angell was countered by a try from Old Elthamians scrum half Matt Bressons just before full time to close the match out at 39-31 to Chinnor.

This a match of two halves. Chinnor, with a dynamic pack, produced good ball for the backs to score freely in the first half – obtaining a bonus point by the 28th minute. In the second half, Chinnor, with a healthy half time lead, appeared to take their foot of the accelerator. Old Elthamians, competitive throughout, began to win the exchanges and created some good scores to run Chinnor close at the end. Chinnor backs played well with Oscar Heath at his insouciant best. The tight five were strong and abrasive – producing a series of highly effective and lengthy rolling mauls. It was a pleasure to see one of Chinnor’s highly regarded Colts, Cameron Hill, make his 1st XV debut. He clearly knows how to tackle. For non-stop effort, Alex Waddingham narrowly pinches the match laurels from his back row colleagues.

SOURCE: Contributed

CHINNOR RFC’s Uner 17s did enough in the first half of their South West Regional Cup Final against Topsham RFC, from near Exeter, to emerge narrow winners, after a scoreless second half, by 15-12 and thereby crowned Regional champions.

Arriving at Trowbridge Rugby Club in Wiltshire, the u17s squad was delighted to see the playing surface in amazing condition for their u17s South West Region Cup Final against Topsham RFC.

Chinnor won the toss and elected to receive first and maximize benefit from the wind behind them. Topsham kicked off and there was a massive anti-climax when the ball sailed straight into touch. However, this gave Chinnor an early opportunity to test the Topsham defence. The pack dominated the resulting scrum which led to a perfectly executed move allowing Chinnor’s Alex McDonald to slice straight through the defence. Leaving defenders trailing in his wake, he beat Topsham’s fullback before just being brought down 5 metres out after an impressive 50 metre run. Reinforcements arrived in numbers to quickly secure the ball before skipper Freddie Barnes powered over the line for the first score with just five minutes on the clock. Ollie Pell faced a tough conversion that was beautifully struck but just drifted off target leaving Chinnor with a 5-0 lead.

Topsham came back just 10 minutes later when slick handling put their winger George Howill away down the left touchline to score in the corner. The conversion was missed to put the match score at 5-5. Topsham now had a period of good possession and field position where they used their line-out to good effect. The pressure on Chinnor’s defence told and Topsham crossed for another try, courtesy of Will Counsell, this time almost directly under the posts. It was an easy conversion by Parks to give Topsham a 12-5 lead.

Chinnor’s response was energetic They won a penalty just inside their half and Sam Coldicott’s quick tap won the boys from Oxfordshire another ten metres when he caught the napping defence offside. From this point it was Jacob Whitfield’s turn to tap and go to good effect. Powerful carries from Brad Harewood, Meli Kini, Owen Sumersbee and Abram Smith took Chinnor to within striking distance. Jacob Whitfield then finished the move that he started by busting through the goal-line defence. The conversion attempt hit the upright and the deficit was now 12-10.

The Chinnor players kept up the intensity from the kick-off, recycling quickly to get quick ball out to the backs. Great running lines and power by Dan Pearce and Oscar Clayton led to a try from Harry Gillett that Jonah Lomu would have been proud of. Chinnor went into the break with a narrow lead of 15-12.

The second half began with the same passion and intensity as the first. A perfectly timed kick chase led to Chinnor’s George Hanley and Alfie Sherlock dragging the Topsham receiver into touch. Chinnor’s backs really began to show their class in the second half. Andrew Prosser looked dangerous every time he had the ball and kept Topsham on edge. However, Chinnor could not turn all the early pressure into points.

Chinnor were then let off the hook when Topsham failed with a penalty goal attempt. Another penalty a few minutes later gave Topsham a lineout on the Chinnor five-metre line. Topsham’s driving maul was well disrupted by the abrasive Chinnor forwards, defending desperately. A perfectly executed turnover then allowed Chinnor to clear their lines. Chinnor struggled to gain possession but a number of big hits from Freddie Barnes and Ed Skinner blunted Topsham’s more promising attacks.

Topsham still kept the pressure on and maintained ball possession in Chinnor’s 22 for most of the last ten minutes. A strong bench bolstered Chinnor’s defensive efforts with every player sticking to the game plan. The squad showed great resilience which was rewarded by winning a penalty. Possession was retained for the last few minutes until the referee blew for full time and the Chinnor win.

Unsurprisingly, there was much jubilation from coaches, parents and supporters as Chinnor were crowned u17 South West Champions! Chinnor u17s now go through to The National Semi Final.

SOURCE: Contributed

FOLLOWING the successful Active Women campaign over Christmas and the New Year when the SODC campaign encouraged 30 ladies to come back to fitness after long breaks – usually related to starting a family – Racquets Fitness Centre is launching a Ladies only squash morning with coaching, training and playing.

Squash coach at Racquets, Sue Martin Downhill, explained: “Four of the 30 ladies who joined the club during the last Active Women campaign have taken up squash as their sport and their fitness regime of choice.

“We’d now like to get the other 26 ladies onto the court just to try it out. Fitness from squash can be gained in only 40 minutes of exercise playing against another person of the same ability. Squash can be played whenever you wish – to fit in with your own lifestyle – from 6.30am in the morning until 9.30pm at night.

“It’s indoors – so it is never rained off!”

Sue added: “When you book to play someone else you are committed to turning up – so there is no easy get out of doing your exercise for that day!”

South Oxfordshire District Council and Racquets Fitness Centre are launching this second Active Women campaign starting on April 1, and running through to September.

The sessions can be used for any of Racquets’ classes on the timetable which includes the Ladies only squash morning starting April 13, 2016.

Call 01844 261754 to find out more or email info@racquets-fitness-centre.com