Kanishka Ton and Higgs 5for give Thame strong win
Thame 1st XI put in a commanding performance in the final timed game of the season to demolish Shipton on Saturday. With much talk of the threat of Shipton’s overseas fast bowler Sanklecha, Thame’s batsman rose to the challenge superbly. The seamer finishing wicketless as the top order rallied around Thame’s own overseas star, Gamindu Kanishka (pictured left). All of Thame’s top five made valuable contributions, rotating the strike well and taking the attack to Shipton on a difficult wicket, but Kanishka stole the show with an absolutely sensational 122 not out off of just 117 balls. In a rain affected contest, this allowed Thame to declare on 252-4 inside 46 overs.
They now had 10 Shipton wickets to take in 44 overs and this was not to be easy against a batting unit intent on defence. Will Rooney made an early break through before Thame’s spinners showed excellent patience in chipping away at the Shipton top order. Mike Higgs in particular was faultless in producing figures of 5-24 from 18 overs, but with 25 minutes of play remaining Thame still required 4 Shipton wickets to take a well-deserved victory. Higgs grabbed a couple, but it was left to Andy Russell (3-6 from 9 overs) to spark jubilant scenes as he had the final batsman held at short leg by Adam Phippen with 10 minutes remaining. Shipton were finally dismissed for just 58.
Thame still sit 4th in the HCPL, within touching distance of promotion with 4 games remaining.
1s finish 2nd in T20 group after beating rivals Rowant
Thame welcomed Aston Rowant to Church Meadow on Tuesday 1st of August, in the last game of the group stages. Batting first, Captain Will Sutcliffe led the way with an unbeaten 72, supported by Callum Russell (29) and Gamindu Kanishka (26), as Thame set 149.
Adam Phippen and Will Rooney claimed 2 wickets each, along with Jeffcock, Kanishka and Higgs all picking up 1. Mike Higgs returned figures of 1-7 off 4 overs. Tight bowling along with 2 run outs, meant Rowant ended up on 130 after their 20 overs. This means that Thame now travel to Wormsley for finals day, to compete for the Wilf Bennett Cup.
2nd XI dig in at Shipton-under-Wychwood
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Shipton got off to a strong start, with runs coming from Swann (38) and Nelson (45). However, the introduction of Alastair Thomas (2-42) and Chris Penny (3-60, pictured right) tightened things up for Thame, helping to dismiss Shipton’s top and middle order. Quick run scoring in the final overs did nevertheless push Shipton’s total up to 198.
In response, Thame faced an uphill battle, with only 42 overs to reach the target. Despite runs from skipper Matt Furness (38) and Daniel Patey (52), Thame didn’t look like challenging Shipton’s total. Thame ended on 160 for 8 off their 42 overs, forcing a draw between the two teams.
Thame welcome local rivals Tiddington to the Meadow next weekend.
3s keep up their promotion Hopes
Thame 3s beat 2nd placed Challow & Childrey away on a rain reduced match by 65 runs. Having lost the toss, Thame were asked to bat and were bowled out for a competitive score of 166. Man of the match, Andy Jinman (pictured left), once again starred with the bat making 61. There were also good contributions at the top of the order from Oli Sutcliffe (29) and Ian Chappell (22) as well as useful runs from James McStay (14) and Ian McStay (12). G. Rees was the pick of the bowlers for Challow (5-32).
In reply, Challow were put under great pressure by opening bowlers Ian McStay (3 wickets) and Pete Tervet (2 wickets). The run rate rarely climbed above 2 runs per over. Thame were relieved to have eventually have dismissed the dangerous N. Hill for 39 who was dropped once previously. Will Bruce-Morgan also chipped in with 3 wickets in a controlled 7 over spell. C&C were eventually bowled out for 101 in 32 overs and Thame claimed 25 valuable points to remain in the promotion hunt.
Thame are now 15 points behind 2nd placed Challow with 4 games still to play.