Author: Sonja Francis

THAME Netball Club is approaching the end of what has been an enjoyable season. Having expanded from one team to two for the 2009/10 season, both Thame Tornadoes and Thame Hurricanes have been playing in the Aylesbury District Netball League Division Four. First team Thame Tornadoes have had a successful season and are currently sitting in second place in the league behind All Blacks 2. Their last game of the season sees them go head to head with All Blacks in what should be an exciting end to the season. If Thame take the win they will be automatically promoted to Division Three, otherwise they will find themselves in the play offs fighting for promotion. Either way the Tornadoes are extremely pleased with what they have achieved this season and hope for similar success next season.

Second team Thame Hurricanes have been battling hard in a difficult division and have two games left in the current season. As a team they have shown much improvement over the course of the season and they are now demonstrating some impressive netball. Despite struggling in this division the Hurricanes have remained positive and continue to play with commitment. They are hoping to secure a place in Division Four next season and will need to win their last two games in order to ensure this. The Hurricanes are determined to rise to this challenge and are training hard in preparation.

Thame Netball Club is holding an Open Evening on the 23rd April which will run from 6.30pm ? 7.30pm at Lord Williams? Lower School Sports Hall. We are inviting visitors to come along for a taster session and are actively seeking new members in the hope of expanding from two teams to three for the 2010/11 season. Visitors are welcome to attend the whole session or alternatively can drop in at any point throughout the session. If you are keen to come along please register your interest by emailing: thamenetballclub@hotmail.co.uk.

We welcome players of all ages and abilities and are keen to attract members who wish to play in a competitive league as well as those who are interested in training as non-playing members. We are also interested in attracting new sponsors for the 2010/11 season and would welcome any offers. For more information in relation to joining Thame Netball Club or becoming a sponsor, please visit:

www.thamenetballclub.co.uk

or email Thame Netball Club Secretary at thamenetballclub@hotmail.co.uk.

PHOTO: Members of Thame Netball Club pictured at last year’s Thame Festival

MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Andy McDonald – SCORE: Thame Boys 6 ? Chalfont Saints 1; Sunday, March 28, 2010.

THAME Boys thrashed Chalfont Saints at home in a style so pleasing to all coaches and parents, that it left many scratching their heads as to why Thame were not fighting for top spot in this league as opposed to battling at the other end of the table.

Many reasons, including many cases of bad luck or poor decisions but in the end this display was full of confidence and that is the main factor in turning domination into wins.

In this game Thame started as they have so many times, with the first 10 minutes of panic clearances leading to the first goal being conceded through the first opposition break of the game. But this game was different as Thame quickly gathered themselves and heads stayed up and our attacks continued. Passing became slicker and the through-balls were getting more accurate with an attacking midfield of Louie, Brad, Matthew and Duncan helped by Max just sitting in front feeding the pace of Alex KFC.

Our equalizer came quickly with Alex being fed by Max and rounding the keeper to tuck in the first of what was to become many. Thame took the lead with another well taken goal from Alex, using his pace to out-run the defence, this time fed in by Louie with a precision pass. Louie then got in on the action by taking a nicely lobbed third. Gerald made some changes with Ross coming on for Brad and Alex Ingle coming on for Brad.

Half-time came and players were warned about complacency and concentration levels. Our recently solid defensive line looked vulnerable at times and a few small changes were made to settle things down. Taylor was having a good game in goal and demonstrated his ability to come out and command his area really well. His kicking was also strong. Ross added some width and Alex Ingle showed battling qualities and determination which made things easier for the attackers.

Alex KFC cleverly rounded the keeper again to be brought down in the box for a penalty. Alex dispatched this confidently into the top corner for a 4-1 lead. Ross fed Alex for his fourth with some nice footwork on the left allowing Alex to neatly lob the keeper for a 5-1 lead. Stewart came on and showed real battling qualities to chase down every opportunity and nearly get in the act several times.

Opposition attacks were rare but those that did take place were quickly snuffed out by Ollie who was having a great game at left back. Showing his versatility Ollie seems to have claimed this place for his own with some fabulous clearances and passes to the midfield. George had another good game with some solid headed clearances and Cameron once again used his pace well to snuff out any Chalfont counter attacks. Thame rotated well with the evidence of squad quality showing by Gerald having the luxury of changing things around regularly once the game went quieter.

Not content with four goals, Alex was brought on again and soon dispatched his fifth by rounding the keeper again having outpaced a worn defence, run ragged by what was now a four man attack including Stewart, Ross, Max and Alex, the first time they have all been on together.

The whistle went for full-time and Chalfont were finally put out of their misery. This display was a great team effort and the quality of passing and movement after the initial 10 minute panic period was the best of the season so far. Thame seem to have found their best formation and can only hope that results go their way over the next few weeks.

Alex McDonald was awarded man-of-the-match for his five goals and owned the biggest smile seen on a Thame player. The boys enjoyed this game and enjoyed playing together as a team. Thame now have a few weeks off while others catch up on their games and our hope is that Marlow lose all their games, and Penn & Tylers lose three and win against Marlow. We also need Chalfont to beat both Penn & Tylers and Marlow at home and for us to beat Flackwell at home. It is still possible but the main thing is to repeat the performance shown against Chalfont and to enjoy training in the meantime.

Andy McDonald

SCORE: Thame United 1, Chinnor 0 – League match; 27/03/10 – MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

THAME United faced local rivals Chinnor on Saturday and won by a single goal. The game was played on a wet slippery pitch, and for much of the time it was raining, making it difficult for both sides to play attractive flowing football. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining game as both sides were totally committed and played with a tenacity and work rate only seen in local derbies.

Thame had the majority of first half possession and created several half chances, with Steve Newell, Luke Rickets and Mark Jones all going close. Although visiting keeper, Matt Tipping was busy, he was not really stretched. Chinnor?s attacks were few although, on 20 minutes, Adam Brooks missed a half chance.

The goal came with a minute if the first half remaining. Following a Thame attack which had broken down in the Chinnor penalty area, the ball was played out to Aaron Rogers on the right who hit a cross cum shot from 30-yards. The ball was not hard enough to be a serious shot and it seemed that Tipping would collect it comfortably. As he caught the greasy ball above his head, it slipped from his grasp and seemed to cross the goal line before the unfortunate goalkeeper recovered and cleared the ball. The linesman, who was in a good position, signaled goal.

Possession in the second half was more even although Thame created more chances than the visitors. Perhaps the best chance of the game fell to Mark Jones about 5 minutes after the restart when he met a Ricketts free kick with a close range header which flew over the bar. It looked as if Thame had increased their lead in the 65th minute when Adam Rhodes scrambled the ball home but the move was ruled offside. Both managers brought on substitutes and during the final 20 minutes, Chinnor came back, but were largely restricted to long-range shots with both Ryan Davis and Gary Marshall firing wide.

Overall, Thame were the better side for most of the game and deserved their three points. The result means that they have not conceded a goal in six successive games and are unbeaten since early December.

Thame United: Orkney, Newell, J Way, Cowan, N. Rhodes, El Kassir, Barr, A. Rhodes, Jones (Hoskin) Rogers (Stallwood), Ricketts.

Thame entertain Kintbury Rangers next Saturday 3rd April.