With rain sweeping across the country, several Thame matches fell to the weather. The 1st XI game versus Oxford Downs was abandoned after 18 overs, while the 4th XI match away to Abingdon Vale was called off in the morning. The 1s sit mid-table in the Home Counties Premier League Pool and the 4s are third in Cherwell League Tier 6, having already had their bye week and therefore played 1 less than those above them.
Warwick stars with the bat to extend 2s lead
The 2nd XI welcomed Witney Mills to Church Meadow, and on a rain affected day were delayed before being asked to bat first.
Will Sutcliffe set off briskly with 31 off 21 balls, alongside fellow opener Matt Furness (36), to give Thame a solid start. Furness then partnered the in-form Christian Warwick (pictured below), who once again starred with 70 not out – this was his 3rd undefeated 50 in 4 games. Thame reached 226-5 off of the reduced 38 overs.
Thame picked up 3 wickets before Witney had reached 50, Kelvin Burrows (2-25) and Mike Higgs (1-41) doing the damage. A strong partnership of 70 for Witney gave them hope but the required rate was creaking up, and once Dan Patey (3-22) removed the danger men, the game was heading Thame’s way. Witney Mills’ pietered out to 172-6 off 38 overs.
The table-topping 2s hosted the only game of the tier thanks to the weather, and so extend their lead. They travel to Minster Lovell next week.
Unbeaten 3rd XI go top of the table
Thame 3 hosted Kimble 2 at Lord Williams’ School, with the weather not looking promising. After over an hour delay, the reduced game got underway with Thame winning the toss and bowling.
Early on, Thame put Kimble under pressure with a Joe Phippen direct-hit run out in the first over and a Pete Tervet (1-10) wicket in the second. Kimble batsmen showed intent with some big hitting, but Rob Tomlin (3-22) starred in the middle overs to peg them back. James McStay and Adam Phippen took a wicket apiece, with 2 further runouts to keep the total to 130.
Kimble’s strong opening bowling kept Thame’s run rate low, and with the loss of 2 wickets, Thame were up against it. Justin Avery (pictured below) came in and struck a beautiful 73, with boundaries all around the park. Ably supported by Dave Saunders (19), followed by an unsual 50 partnership with Guy Holmes in which Avery contributed all of the runs bar a handful of extras. Thame were well on the way at this point, and Holmes and Adam Phippen saw them home with 3.4 overs to spare.
The 3rd XI top the table after playing the only match in the tier that day, and host Buckingham Town 4 next week.
New star rises in another tough test for Thame’s Women
The weather was better on Sunday, as Thame Women hosted Henley in the Home Counties League. The visitors won the toss, and elected to bat.
Young Emily Neighbour opened the bowling, and after a solid start for Henley, she took 3 wickets in relatively quick succession on her way to a super impressive 4-34 off of her 6 overs. Sue Benson picked up a run out on debut, in what was a tight and committed performance by the whole team in the field. At 64-5 Thame were happy, before a strong 6th wicket partnership kicked Henley on without losing another wicket all the way up to 172.
In reply, Thame’s batters dug in well against good bowling with Megan Woodward (48) again top-scoring. In a 50 partnership with Sue Benson, Thame were recovering well from early losses, but with the required rate increasing it was looking a tough ask. Beth John (18) struck several boundaries towards the end, as Thame finished on 121-9.
Another encouraging team performance against tough opposition, with a good crowd enjoying an entertaining match. Thame travel to Binfield next Sunday in the league.
On the Sunday, Thame Saxons took to the road to play a friendly against a Horspath XI. James Olliver smashed 85 for the Saxons, in a defeat which saw Horspath youngster Christopher Hofen score a century at just 14 years old!
The Saxons host Westcott at Church Meadow next Sunday.