Depleted 1st XI slip to heavy defeat at Banbury
Bowling first on a wicket offering generous assistance to the seamers, Thame’s young attack caused plenty of problems but decisions did not go in their favour. Of particular note were fine spells by Chris Jeffcock, who bowled his 10 overs straight through taking 1-36, and Jonathon Jelfs who made the step up to 1st XI cricket seamlessly, taking 1-16 from 5 overs. Nevertheless, the lack of early reward saw Thame punished later on, as Banbury overseas Adams blasted a century to propel his side to a well above par 268-7, Hassam Mushtaq (pictured below) finishing with 4-65.
The Thame reply faltered from the off, with only Mushtaq passing 30. A very young Thame side were eventually skittled for just 96, in what will hopefully be an excellent learning experience for a number of the players coming through.
This sadly confirms relegation to the Home Counties Premier League Division 2, for next season. The 1s host Horspath next week.
2s win big as promotion looms
The 2nd XI welcomed Shipton-under-Wychwood 2 to Church Meadow. Bowling first, early breakthroughs by Ollie Chaplin (2-31) put Thame on top and despite some momentum for Shipton’s middle order batsmen, smart bowling at the end from skipper Matt Furness (3-12, pictured below) and Pete Tervet (3-29) dismissed Shipton for a below-par 171.
The total was then easily chased down thanks to Thame’s top order of Richard Carr (64), Harry Thomas (44*) and Matt Furness (37*), securing a 9-wicket win for Thame which means that they step even closer to promotion.
The 2s head to Witney Mills next week.
Rain gives 3s fruitful draw
The in-form 3rds hosted an equally in-form Cumnor 3s at Lord Bill’s School. Cumnor won the toss and batted first, with rain looking likely. John Phippen (2-33) and Luke Hayes (1-32) opened up for Thame, and at 68-4, the game was poised nicely. Clapton’s 74 lead a big 5th wicket partnership, as Thame were poor in the field, dropping several catches. Ian McStay and Vim Desai picked up a wicket apiece, but it was Tim Hester’s spell of 5-35 off 6 which kept a lid on the score, as Cumnor were all out for 207.
In reply, Thame slumped to 32-4. But, with the light drizzle, Thame picked up some momentum thanks largely to Zahid Hussein’s fluid 48*. Thame picked up their 15th bonus point, just as the match-ending rain came – finishing on 113-5.
The 3s can take a huge step to promotion when they face Oxford & Bletchingdon 3s next week.
4s stroll to 9-wicket win
Thame 4s were on the road again, with a trip to Shipton-under-Wychwood on a day threatened with rain. Winning the toss, Shipton decided to bat first. Thame kept the run rate down and said pressure paid dividends when Ed Mather (pictured below) took the first wicket with only 3 runs posted. Mather eventually posting figures of 2-21 off 9, contributing to a regular flow of wickets as Thame bowlers kept it tight. Neil Smith (2-13), Shay Reading (3-26) and a first senior wicket for youngster Martin Wiles, limited the hosts to 107 all out.
With the rain clouds rolling in, and the prospect of abandonment, Thame’s openers wasted little time in their quest to chase down the hosts target. Opening partnership of 71 between Mark Fellowes and Tim Dabbs (34) put a win within touching distance, before the only wicket went down. Fellowes continued to the target with an impressive 58*, leading Thame past the total within 13 overs and more importantly before the rain.
The 4s cement their position of 5th in the table and welcome 4th placed Didcot next Saturday.
