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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