Category Archives: sport

Two completely different games of football in Southern Town Park

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Two games of Football
On Sunday I saw two completely different games of football happening at the same time in Southern Town Park. This was the weekend of the annual Abingdon Youth FC Festival of Football. So on one side 150 teams, from age under 9 to under 15, were playing in a series or tournaments.
Two games of Football
Nearby over on the rugby pitches, American Football had started, and the Oxford Saints beat Gloucester Centurions 41-0. The Saints next host Bristol Apache at Abingdon RFC on Sunday 27th May.
Two games of Football
They bring their own goalposts and vocabulary such as “…the oxford Defence was generating turnovers through fumble recoveries…” and “… a brief spell of punt trading…” and “…Jonny Dover tacked on his 3rd PAT out of 4…”
Two games of Football
Back at the Youth Football there was a replica FA Cup, and lots of stalls. On one stall there was a signed picture of the Chelsea team who have just won the UEFA Champions League on Saturday beating Bayern Munich on penalties.

After this victory, the headline in the Süddeutsche Zeitung read “How much bad luck fits into one match?”. The Gazzetta dello Sport reported on the temporary  Chelsea Manager Di Matteo saying “Two and a half months at the helm were sufficient to initiate a series of miracles”.

In The Guardian we read of “The Great Escape.”

Abingdon RUFC – Octofest Celebration

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Octofest Senior Match
There was a lot going on down at Abingdon Rugby Club as the club celebrated eighty years with a very well organised day combining rugby, competitions, fun for the family, a reunion for past players, music, and a beer festival.
Octofest Senior Match
On previous visits I have noticed the ground can get very damp after rain but that problem seems to be solved now. There were no mud splattered players.
Octofest Senior Match
Abingdon Rugby Club have been playing at Southern Town Park since 1989, and in recent years have developed a very successful youth program, with lots of youngsters and their parents at the club on Sunday Mornings.

Good to see the seniors for a change, but I wish I could understand the rules.

Rowing at Abingdon-on-Thames – an early season time trial

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Spring Head of The River
On Sunday 400 crews came to Abingdon to row the 2000 meters from Culham Lock to Wilsham Road as part of the 2012 Spring Head of the River time-trial.

The Abingdon Rowing Club don’t get to row as they are all busy officiating.
Spring Head of The River
It is an early season event but in this picture it looks like a race away from Didcot A before the smouldering giant finally blows.
Spring Head of The River
These guys made it to the finishing line.
Spring Head of The River
After their race, our Abingdon stewards asked boats to keep moving. There is no real time for a post mortem. “I’m so sorry, I just lost it totally near the end. ”
Spring Head of The River
The 400 crews, 100 in each of 4 times slots, row back to the landing stages in Rye Farm Meadow.
Spring Head of The River
Carry their own boat back to the trailer.
Spring Head of The River
Only then is there the chance to put their feet up.

Freewheeling Spring Festival 2012

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There was a lot going on in Abingdon this weekend. I was taking pictures of the Abingdon Head of The River rowing event – pictures of that tomorrow – and so arrived at the Abingdon Freewheeling Spring Festival after a lot of people had left. Freewheeling
But it was a great pleasure to meet the Didcot Phoenix CC and see their stall. They have 70-80 members and do time trials and club rides. Their regular Sunday ride was to start at Abingdon Market Place today for a change.
Freewheeling
The town crier had what should become the town crier’s bike. He saw it a while back and borrowed it for the event. He is stood between two young ladies who were there to promote cycling safety. Be seen!
Freewheeling
Abingdon Freewheeling had lots of rides on offer this year: 4, 10, 27 & 50 mile road rides and 12 & 22 mile off-road rides. This is the leader of the 27 mile road ride with tandem.
Freewheeling
Beyond Bars Cycles (to be found in Coxeters) were there with a large stand and a large assortments of bikes. They were also doing repairs on alien bikes.
Freewheeling
Lastly the Kings Head and Bell were serving some tasty food. Perhaps a chance to ask you to put World Fairtrade Day in your diaries as there is a link ….

World Fairtrade Day is Saturday 12th May, and the Abingdon Fairtrade group is holding a Fairtrade Continental Breakfast at the KH&B. Steve (Kings Head and Bell) is donating the breakfast and the venue free of charge. Debbie (Patisserie) will supply croissants and Waitrose will provide the Fairtrade fruit. In return you can just come a long and maybe give a donation to a Traidcraft charity. I’ll remind you nearer the event.