1st XI win narrowly again in tense last over
The 1st XI hosted Tring Park on Saturday, and winning the toss the Meadowmen chose to bat.
Skipper Michael Beard (42) led from the front, combining well with Shahbaz Meer (pictured below), who scored 68 at a run-a-ball. As all other batsmen struggled, James Adams’ 29 not out proved vital at the end to get the total up to a defendable 189-8.
Tring’s openers put on a slow 92, before falling in successive overs to Beard and Jonathan Jelfs. Spinners Hassam Mushtaq (2-42) and Andy Russell (2-48) helped keep Thame in the game. Needing 12 to win off the final over, Russell limited them to just six to close out another brilliant narrow victory.
The team travel to Great Brickhill next week.
Top of the table 2s finally taste defeat
The undefeated 2nd XI travelled to 2nd placed Minster Lovell, and winning the toss opted to bowl first.
This proved a good decision as the hosts limped to 77-7, spin twins Dan Patey (3-22 and a run out) and Mike Higgs (2-20) doing the bulk of the damage. Luke Hayes (2-30) also impressed, as Minster Lovell were skittled for 122.
In response, Thame got off to a poor start at 16-3. Skipper Oli Sutcliffe (33) helped push Thame on, but the tail couldn’t get Thame over the line, falling to 114 all out.
The 2s remain top and host Oxford 2 next week.
3rd XI get the points after forfeit
Thame 3s put together a productive practice session at Lord Williams’ School, after a late forfeit by Buckingham Town 4.
The boys are hoping this prepares them well for the visit of Westbury next, in what is billed as a ‘title decider’.
Unbeaten 4s hit top spot
Thame 4s travelled to Oxford 4, and were asked to bowl after losing the toss.
Chris Penny (3-19, pictured below) and Rob Kenny (2-14) set to work, taking out the top order swiftly, leaving Oxford on 31-5. The hosts defiantly rallied, but Thame kept the scoring rate down, adding 2 wickets from Danny Thompson and 1 for Shay Reading. Oxford finished on 135-8.
In chasing, Thame started solidly and never looked in trouble – Mike Beaumont opening up with 35. Tim Dabbs (27) and an unbeaten 27 from Stu Gray took Thame to the target with only 4 wickets down and 6 overs to spare.
The 4th XI go to Charlbury 3 next week.
Thame’s Women defeated by strong Binfield
On Sunday, Thame Women travelled to Binfield in the Home Counties League. Captain Sarah Sanderson won the toss, and opted to field first.
Binfield batted superbly from the off – Opener Carson scoring 103 not out. Wickets were hard to come by, but Thame did pick up 3 through debutant Rosie Lloyd and Megan Woodward, the later picking up a runout too. Binfield posted 199-3 off their 30 overs.
In a difficult chase, Thame lost wickets at regular intervals, with Woodward (30) providing the strongest resistance. Against strong bowling, Thame were eventually all out for 77.
The team look to bounce back as they host East Anglia Veterans in a friendly at Church Meadow on Sunday.
At Church Meadow, on the Sunday, Thame Saxons again faced Westcott hoping for revenge for defeat a few weeks prior. The Saxons put on a good batting display led by Zed Khan and Taylor Vines who both feel short of 50s. Ultimately, Westcott chased down well, for the loss of 3 wickets.
The Saxons travel to Blenheim Park next weekend, followed by a home game versus Ashton-under-Wychwood on the bank holiday Monday.