Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Fourth win in a row for Thame United

    MATCH REPORT – Saturday, March 28 – Englefield Green Rovers – 1 versus Thame United 3

    UNITED made it four straight wins on Saturday but the scoreline does not tell the full story. United struggled from start to finish on a difficult surface and it was only the quality of their finishing that made the difference.

    Englefield started the stronger of the two sides, forcing Thame on to the back foot with their long ball game and tricky wing play. However, United opened the scoring from their first chance on nine minutes when Englefield were unable to clear a Pete Way corner and the ball fell invitingly to centre back, Dave Hocking on the penalty spot and his powerful drive gave the keeper no chance.

    Despite United taking the lead, Englefield continued to control the majority of the possession without any real penetration, and the next half chance fell to Thame after 30 minutes with Lawrence El-Kassir flicking on a Mark Jones cross but Stuart Barr was unable to connect at the far post.

    The lead was extended 10 minutes later. Mark Jones, on the left hand edge of the box, did well to flick the ball over his shoulder to fellow striker Aaron Rogers, who crossed to the far post where Ben Connelly headed the ball back towards the penalty spot. By this time Jones had continued his run in to the area and he volleyed the ball home with an unstoppable shot that left the keeper grasping at thin air. Three minutes later and the game was effectively won for Thame. Connelly made a good run in to the box but was tackled as he was about to shoot. The ball then came back to Adam Rhodes who made room for himself before calmly curling the ball in to the bottom left hand corner of the goal from the edge of the box.

    With Thame still wondering how they were 3-0 up at half time, Englefield came out of the blocks strongly at the start of the second half and had a good opportunity five minutes in to the half, but were unable to find the target. There then followed a controversial incident as Mark Jones was upended by a crude tackle inside the box. Whilst the referee blew up for a foul, he gave a free kick outside the box. Rhodes placed the subsequent free kick just over the bar. United then conspired to nearly give Englefield a way back in to the game as a mix up between keeper, Paul Searl, and skipper Lee Thompson, saw the Englefield striker place his shot just wide of the goal. Englefield did, however, pull a consolation goal back on 82 minutes. United were caught sleeping at a short corner and the goal bound header was well blocked on the line by Pete Way, but the follow up was tapped in to the back of the net by the Englefield sriker.

    That was the end of the action and, whilst Thame have played better this season and lost, Searl was rarely threatened in goal and it was another three points and Thame continue to move up the table.

    Thame United ? Searl, Meredith, Way, Hocking, Thompson, El-Kassir, Rhodes (Cowan), Connelly, Rogers (Hoskin), Jones, Barr.

    Photo: Dave Hocking

  • Countryside protection group says ‘Hands Off’ Green Belt

    OXFORDSHIRE’s branch of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) has launched a hard hitting ?Hands Off Oxford?s Green Belt? campaign to combat what it sees as serious threats.

    In a recent press release, the group said: “Whilst the public strongly supports the Green Belt ? a national MORI Poll in 2005 found that 84% believed that it should always remain open and undeveloped, 61% very strongly so ? it has never been under such threat as it is today.”

    The CPRE sees serious threats to the Green Belt ringing all round Oxford City, including the so-called ?eco-town? proposal at Weston Otmoor, threats at Marston, Shipton, and Kennington, and the City Council?s plan for an urban extension onto South Oxfordshire?s Green Belt south of Grenoble Road.

    Dr Helena Whall, CPRE Oxfordshire Campaign Manager, said: “One of the greatest threats to Oxford?s Green Belt is the City Council?s proposal to build a large urban extension of new business premises and at least 4,000 houses south of the City. Its case for the urban extension has always been that it was to provide much needed housing for the City ? despite the fact they accepted at a Public Inquiry that it could all be built within the City itself. In any case the plan is not to just build houses but to create a ?mixed development? which the Secretary of State has recognised risks making the housing situation worse not better.”

    Helena Whall continued: “For some years CPRE has been saying that the City?s urge to sprawl out over the Green Belt (which was specifically set up for the purpose of containing it) is nothing to do with housing need but simple expansionism ? a wish to be Greater Oxford, a new Birmingham.

    “Evidence recently obtained by the CPRE of the City?s expansionist tendency from as long ago as 1981 confirms this view. The City?s ?war-map? shows them taking over a long list of surrounding parishes including Kennington to the North and the present so-called urban extension area in the South. Their 1981 plan ? which was claimed to be solely for the good of its victims ? was widely derided by local papers at the time. It simply went underground. Ten years later the City took over Marston and Littlemore. The Grenoble Road extension would be another domino. How long until Kidlington is again in the firing line?”

    The CPRE also reports that it finds “alarming” news that South Oxfordshire District Council, which CPRE says has up until now professed itself a strong supporter of the Green Belt when opposing Oxford?s urban extension, is now, in its just published, Core Strategy, proposing two Green Belt “violations” of its own, at Berinsfield and at Wheatley.

    Over the next few weeks, CPRE members and Oxfordshire?s Green Belt parishes will receive a ?Hands Off Oxford?s Green Belt? campaign pack including a newsletter, car-stickers and leaflets.

    On Sunday, April 19, members of the public who are concerned about threats to the Green Belt are being invited to join a campaign walk from Shotover to Horspath, along part of CPRE?s Oxfordshire Green Belt Way, led by popular TV personality, Wesley Smith, followed by a rally at Horspath Village Hall with a panel of speakers including local M.P. John Howell, Ian Scargill, Chairman of the Oxford Green Belt Network, and Elizabeth Gillespie, District Councillor for Garsington and The Baldons.

    Photo: By Christian Guthier, Wheatfields.net

  • Cliff-hanger at Chinnor RFC (Contributed)

    MATCH REPORT – Chinnor 25 pts Lydney 27 pts; Saturday, May 28, 2009.

    ANOTHER cliff-hanger. Chinnor left themselves with a mountain to climb as they trailed by 27 pts to six with just 25 minutes left on the clock. That they clawed their way back into contention, being just two points adrift with seven minutes remaining, indicated quite clearly what a “curate’s egg”of a performance this was. Although they tried might and main to get the winning score, the wise heads of Lydney closed up shop and kept the ball within their grasp for the last five minutes of the game.

    Chinnor made three changes from the Havant game, all in the forwards. Bob Baker came in at tight head prop with David Jackson and Macsen Williams who replaced the injured Angus Neilsen, starting in the back row.

    Lydney went ahead as early as the second minute, when a Chinnor kick out of defence was charged down with the ball bizarrely lodging itself in the midriff of a Lydney player. With the Chinnor defence being caught completely unaware, Lydney were afforded a massive overlap and James Bashford went over almost unopposed. Mark Davies slotted the easy conversion. Lydney then scored again when centre, Micheal Rinaldi, completely bamboozled the Chinnor defence on the touchline to round james Serrano and score wide out. This most certainly was a score that should have been defended. James Cathcart then kicked two well struck penalties to put Chinnor back into contention, but on the stroke of half-time Lydney again attacked down the Chinnor right hand touchline. Mark Davies their influential fly-half put in a delicate chip which bounced kindly for winger Charlie Vine to take and score wide out.

    Chinnor started the second half as if they meant business. However they were into playing catch-up rugby too soon which was evident in the manner that they were trying to pass out of the tackle in favour of patiently building up the attack. They were punished for this when, from a Chinnor attack that broke down, Lydney swept away with Ben Slatter scoring. A penalty by Mark Davies only added to Chinnor’s woes as they found themselves 21 points in arrears after 55 minutes of play.

    It was then all Chinnor. A swift bout of passing from a scrum saw Richard Williams squeeze in at the corner to be quickly followed by Toby Prescott taking a pass from the base of a scrum to stroll over under the posts, Ben Hewitt converting. It was then the turn of Tom Shiel to turn on the gas and outpace his opposite number to go over for Chinnor’s third try and with Hewitt converting, Chinnor were two points adrift with their tails well and truly up. They had a sniff of a chance just minutes later when Shiel was taken by the cover defence when a better option would have been a kick and chase. This was to be Chinnor’s last opportunity as, from then on, Lydney did not give them the ball. At the final whistle it was an ecstatic Lydney and a despondent Chinnor.

    Ifs and buts certainly entered the debate at the final whistle. The main thrust of opinion surrounded the time it took for Chinnor to get into their stride. Andy Millburn, who came on for the final 15 minutes, certainly put himself about in that time and is deserving of mention. Three games left. All is not lost. Two wins could still ensure that Chinnor do not make the drop.

  • Rogue trader jailed after Wheatley roofing con (Status: Press release)

    A DOORSTEP conman who took payment of

  • Join the mile of coins for Thame Summer Playscheme

    LOOK out for members of Thame Lions Club when you’re out and about in the town on April 11, 2009. They will be running a mile of coins up and down Greyhound Walk, Thame.

    Any coinage can be used to help them complete a mile.

    All the proceeds will go to Lighthouse and the Thame Summer Playscheme that they organised on the Thame Showground.

    COMENCES AT 10AM UNTIL 3PM

  • MIND events coming up – including an evening with Melvin Bragg

    TALK by Melvyn Bragg, Friday, 27th March 2009, 5.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m., at The Taylor Institution, St Giles, Oxford Melvyn Bragg is an Author, Broadcaster and the President of Mind. He will be talking about his acclaimed series of ‘autobiographical’ novels (The Soldier’s Return, A Son of War, Crossing the Lines and Remember Me) following the journey of a young man from Cumbria to Oxford and London. This event was kindly organised by Kath Thomson. Admission will be

  • Gardener volunteers needed to keep Thame in bloom

    THAME In Bloom, a local gardening volunteer group, needs help.

    The organisation, which has been running for several years in the town, says that it needs some ‘new blood’ particularly younger volunteers who enjoy getting out in the fresh air to help keep Thame looking beautiful by planting daffodils along some of the main streets and flower beds around the town.

    If you would like to find out more about this very worthwhile and fun activity, contact Chairman, David Laver, via the town hall.

  • Outdoor Bootcamp fitness club for Thame

    A BOOTCAMP style fitness club on the Southern Road recreation ground in Thame, has been given tentative approval by Thame Town Council.

    Local resident, Emma Redding and Jo Hubbick, who already runs a ‘Buggy Fit’ course for new mums, want to run an outdoor exercise club, three times a week, which would include military style training including stretching, walking, running, muscle exercises such as push-ups and sit-ups.

    The town council’s Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee has agreed to the club using its land for the fitness club, subject to there being no legal implications for the council.

    Photo: Courtesy of Body Buster Fitness

  • Thame’s MP to host Recession networking event

    THAME’S MP, John Howell, will be hosting a recession networking event on Thursday, April 16, at 6pm at The Spreadeagle Hotel in Thame. The event will bring together local businesses, local professional advisers and local support organisations such as the Citizens? Advice Bureau, Business Link, the Department for Work and Pensions, local councils and others.

    The event is being organised in partnership with Barbara Richardson of The Integrity Network in Henley.

    John said: “Our area cannot expect to be recession-proof. In fact, it looks as if much of the South East, including South Oxfordshire, is seeing rising unemployment and will see a slow recovery.
    “The recession is likely to hit businesses which have previously had good trading records. Unemployment will hit people who may have no previous experience of claiming benefits or of the consequences of being out of work.
    “At a time like this, it?s important to know who to turn for help and advice. Equally, it?s important to know how to avoid difficulties becoming insurmountable problems. Businesses need to know how they can best protect themselves from the worst of the economic climate and how they can fairly prepare their staff if the worst happens. I hope this event will help.”

    The event, which is free of charge, will allow businesses to share experiences and speak to those who might be able to help them and avoid problems in these difficult economic times ? all in an informal atmosphere. Professional service firms such as accountants, lawyers and human resource advisors attending are offering to charge significantly reduced rates for any work commissioned at the event.

    Any business from South Oxfordshire ? of whatever size ? is welcome to attend. Contact: barbara.richardson@recessionnetworkingevents.co.uk or call 01491-577-748.

    Image: courtesy of www.retailmarketingblog.com

  • Third successive win for Thame United (Contributed)

    LEAGUE MATCH 24/03/09 – Thame United 1, Henley Town 0

    THAME United recorded their third successive win on Tuesday evening at home, against Henley Town. It was a close game that either club could have won. Henley were six league places above Thame but the home side matched them and their was little to chose between the two teams. This led to a fast, entertaining game in which every ball was vigorously contested.

    Thame started brightly and after a few minutes, Ben Connelly met a cross from the left and beat the visiting goalkeeper, but the linesman?s flag was already raised for an earlier offside and the ?goal? was disallowed. The best chance of the half fell to visiting striker, Mark Bartley, who found a gap in the Thame defence and ran at goal. But with only Thame keeper, Paul Searl to beat, he finished poorly and Searl comfortably collected his weak shot. The half finished goalless, with Thame having slightly more possession but the visitors creating more chances.

    Henley started the second half strongly and Thame were ?on the back foot? for a while. In the 52nd minute visiting captain, Danny Longwood, beat Searl to a cross and headed in, only to have his effort disallowed for a foul on Thame?s keeper. A few minutes later, a visiting striker met a long throw-in with a strong header which grazed the top of the crossbar. The home side fought back and the deadlock was broken in the 76th minute. Thame were awarded a free kick on the left which Stuart Barr took and, as Thame players were running to meet the ball, one was fouled and went down. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Adam Rhodes took the spot kick well placing the ball in the right hand corner.

    The remainder of the game was tense but the home side held out and, as a result, Thame have gained three league places.

    Thame United: Searle, Newell, Way, Thompson, Hocking, El-Kassir Connelly, Rhodes, Rogers (Cowan), Jones (Hoskin), Barr (Meredith)

    Thame are away to Englefield Green Rovers next Saturday 28th. Their next home game is on Tuesday 31st when local rivals Chinnor are the visitors