It was another action-packed weekend of cricket at Church Meadow, starting with the 1st XI hosting Oxford in the Home Counties Premier League. Oxford may have regretted choosing to bat first; Kelvin Burrows (5-19) took his 2nd five-for in a row, supported by 3 for Hassam Mushtaq and 2 for Andrew Russell, to bowl the visitors out for just 96. In Response, Thame fell to 25-5 and never recovered, eventually losing by 36 runs.
Thame 2s also faced Oxford, away, and were asked to bat. Christian Warwick starred with a brilliant 108, including 2 sixes, accompanied by Justin Avery (53) as Thame declared on 256-8. Oxford were then reduced t0 3-5, Luke Hayes (3-9) and Ben Warwick (3-19) doing the damage. From there they were intent on the draw, and despite Greg Jenkins‘ 3 wickets, they managed it thanks to 0* off 59 by their number 10. Oxford finished on 75-9 from 51 overs.
The 3rd XI travelled to Wantage & Grove, and had a tough day in the field as Wantage posted 272-2 from their 45 overs. Struggling at 14-3 in reply, it was ‘Pistol’ Pete Higson (52), and some tail end survival that got Thame to a draw at 144-9.
Thame 4s hosted Bletchley Town 2 at Lord Williams’, and opted to bat first. The innings was dominated by Jeremy Shayler (111) scoring a superb first ton for the Club, as Thame posted 167-7. Trevor Spindler (3-18) again starred with the ball, supported by 2 wickets each for Ed Mather, Ishaan Barde and Dan Constant, as Thame steamrolled to a win by 82 runs.
On Sunday, Thame Women took on The RAF in a 30-over friendly as part of RAF’s warm up for matches against fellow forces teams. Bowling first, Leanne Harris got an early breakthrough, but RAFs strong batting line up kicked them onto 193-2 – Sally Brentnall taking the other wicket. In response, Michelle Wells struck 38 and several of Thame’s other batters got starts in a spirited 126-5 against tough opposition.
Next Week’s Fixtures
Saturday
High Wycombe v 1st XI
2nd XI v Minster Lovell
3rd XI v Steventon
Chalgrove v 4th XI
Sunday
Women’s XI v Oxford 2
Oxford Hospitals v Saxons