Thame 1st XI made a great start to the season with an emphatic 80 run victory over Gerrards Cross at their home ground on Church Meadow yesterday. Thame won the toss and did not hesitate in choosing to bat first. They scored quickly at the start with Mike Beard (49) and Matt Macdonald (32) setting Thame up for a big total, with the score on 145 for 4 with 13 overs left. Will Simpson (21) and Hassam Mushtaq (39) then both scored quickly to take Thame to 225 for 8 off their 50 overs.In response Will Rooney (2-13) and veteran Sam Lachlan (1-43) got Thame off to a great start by reducing Gerrards Cross to 22 for 3. D Hampton (36) and B Mirza (30*) were the only two to get going, as captain Mike Higgs (pictured right) took 5 for 23. Gerrards Cross were never in the hunt and were bowled out for 143. A great start to the Thame side’s return to the Home Counties Premier League. They travel to Shipton-under-Wychwood on Saturday 14th.