Record start for Thame 1s
An explosive batting performance from Thame 1st XI was enough to see off a spirited Datchet outfit in their first league game of the season.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Thame opener Will Sutcliffe (67) and overseas Gami Kanishka (pictured left) ruthlessly set about the Datchet bowling. Kanishka went through to a superb hundred on debut before eventually falling for 121, but cameos from the rest of the middle order saw Thame set a club record 347-6.
The Datchet reply was led by captain Gareth Harte who blazed 101 off just 63 balls, but once he fell as one of 5 victims for Hassam Mushtaq, the chase fell away. Tight spells from Mike Higgs and Andy Russell ensured that Datchet were bowled out for 242 to give Thame the perfect start to the season.
Tough start for the 2s in Division 4
Thame 2nds, newly-promoted to Cherwell Division 4, were put into bat by Stokenchurch 1sts on a cold day in Thame last Saturday. After losing 2 early wickets, runs started to come from Richard Carr (21), followed by a gritty 4th-wicket partnership of 54 between Guy Holmes (27) and Ben Warwick (27). However, the last 6 wickets fell for only 38, in the face of good bowling from Maddock (5-29), leaving the total at just 138 all out.
In reply, Thame were encouraged by 2 early wickets to John Phippen (pictured right) but their total never looked big enough and, with Maddock (69*) again their tormentor, Stokenchurch reached 140 for 4 in 32 overs. Thame 2nds travel to Witney Mills on Saturday 13th.
Ground out draw for the 3s
Thame 3rds kicked off the season at Lord Williams’ Upper School against Kimble 2.
Winning the toss, Thame opted to bowl, proving a good decision with Vimal Desai (pictured left) taking 3 wickets early on. Kimble rallied but then continued to lose wickets, ending on 156 all out on a difficult pitch. Lewis Ludlam, Ed Mather and Danny Thompson took 2 wickets each, with a run out finishing the innings.
Thame started poorly, losing 2 wickets early. As wickets continued to fall, and runs coming at a slow pace, only Matt Swain (12) and Lewis Ludlam (11) made double figures. Thame knuckled down for the draw with long and gutsy knocks from Captain Vimal and Mather. Thame reached 71-8, taking 10 points for the draw and bowling performance.