1st XI suffer tough first defeat of the season
Thame 1st XI travelled to High Wycombe on Saturday. Fielding first, Thame found the going tough as young Wycombe opener Edmund Casterton went through to a fine hundred. Despite struggling for breakthroughs however, Thame worked hard to stay in the game and keep Wycombe to 266-4. Kalim Khan took 2-45, while Gamindu Kanishka and Hassam Mushtaq took a wicket each.
Once again though, Thame’s top order fragility was exposed in reply. James Adams again showed glimpses of his talent whilst top scoring with 28, but when he ran out of partners Thame were still well short on 126 all out. Thame look to bounce back next week against Slough.
Furness ton leads 2s to third straight win in run-fest
Thame 2nd XI welcomed Long Marston to Church Meadow, looking to extend their 100% win rate this season. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Thame got off to a quick start with Richard Carr (53) putting pressure on the away side. Following this, a classy knock from skipper Matt Furness (144*, pictured below) anchored Thame’s innings with fantastic support from David Saunders (85, retired hurt with tight hamstring after several quick run calls from the younger Furness) and debutant Jack Aston (29*). This left Thame firmly in the driving seat with 357 for only 2 wickets from their 50 overs.
In response to needing over 7 runs per over, Long Marston came quickly out of the blocks, with opening batsmen Mike Lyons (68) keeping the away side in the game. The glimmer of hope for the away side was kept alive throughout by a knock of 152 from Hamish Sim, though ongoing wickets from Matt Ridgway (2-69), Daniel Patey (3-42) and George Patey (3-50) meant that Long Marston were always at least slightly below the run rate required. In the end, Thame secured the win by bowling Long Marston out for 317, putting them at the top of the division.
The 2nd XI seek their fourth win on the bounce away at newcomers Charlbury next week.
3rd XI get their season going with a ten-wicket, Warwick-inspired win
Following the frustration of being halted by the rain on the 12th, Thame 3rds went to Bledlow Ridge on Saturday in confident mood. Guy Holmes sadly went to Bledlow Village by mistake but was able to join the team on the pitch only 10 minutes late and soon took the first catch at slip to give Rob Tomlin his first wicket. With Tomlin (2-15) and Nick Humphries (2-26) squeezing the top order, Bledlow Ridge looked unlikely to reach 100 but H. Ahmed then chanced his arm and cut loose for 37 quick runs. It was left to Ben Warwick (4-24) and Ian McStay (1-12) to restore order and dismiss the hosts for 114 in the 37th over.
After tea, Thame 3rds set off at a canter, conscious that Robbie Jackson was desperate to see the Blues in the Cup Final. With Christian Warwick (pictured below) leading the way, caressing the ball to the boundary and cannily pinching the strike at regular intervals, supported by Andy Jinman at the other end, Thame had reached 73-0 in just 10 overs. Christian soon reached the half-century and they finished at 115-0, from 16.4 overs, with 66 and 39 respectively.
The 3rds entertain low-lying Oxford 4 this coming Saturday at Lord Bills’s school ground.
Forfeited match gives 4th XI 25 points
Unfortunately, Minster Lovell 3 were forced to forfeit the match against Thame 4s this week. Thame receive the points for a win, and face Bicester & North Oxford 3s away next week, still undefeated.
History made as Ladies get first ever hard-ball win
With the sun shining, Thame Women’s XI faced Cookham Dean in a friendly and winning the toss, batted first. Thame rallied superbly after an early setback, through Bridget Cooper (34) and Sarah Sanderson (28). Cookham bowled dangerously, with maiden overs slowing the pace down. Mel White (35) then struck a superb innings, before being retired for the 2nd match in a row. Sally Surman (19*) and Jess Clarke (8*) rounded off the innings, with Thame setting 176 from the 35 overs.
Thame took to the field and started perfectly, with Sanderson (3-24) taking two wickets off her first two balls of the innings! However, runs then began creeping up for Cookham, until their 3rd wicket fell through a smart Claire Morris catch off Sanderson again. Several good partnerships meant Cookham Dean’s runs were building, before Lina Budde-Manning’s spell of (2-22) pegged them back again. The game was evenly poised, however, smart bowling at the death from Claire Morris (1-14), with an agile catch close to the strip by Bridget Cooper, and Sally Surman (0-3), contained them to 161-7. Thame won by 15 runs in a tightly-contested, good-spirited and high-calibre match.
Thame will be hoping to repeat the feat, when the teams meet again in the League.
