Weekly roundup – Successful weekend as 3rd XI all but secure title! 24/8

1s thrash Dinton to move back to the top

Thame 1st XI hosted a struggling Dinton side, this past Saturday at Church Meadow. Batting first, Thame openers Mike Beard (53, pictured below) and Ollie Burland (38) got Their side off to another excellent start. Callum Russell (51) and Tom Bamford (35) kept the pressure on Dinton, but a disappointing display from the middle order saw Thame not capitalise fully on a fine platform, being bowled out in 43 overs for 247.

The Dinton reply never really got going, with Jo Van Dyk striking in the first over. Hassam Mushtaq was the destroyer in chief, taking 4-23, as Dinton were rolled for just 127. Thame now sit top of the Home Counties Premier Division 2.

Thame travel to third placed Harefield next weekend, with a win guaranteeing promotion to the top flight.


2s lose in the last over

The 2nd XI travelled to second placed Oxford Downs. On a very hot day, when temperatures (in the sun) were over 40 degrees, Thame were put into bat and at halfway were 82-1, before accelerating to score 244-5 in their 50 overs. Harry Thomas (73, pictured below) and Matt Furness (68) put on over 140 runs for the 2nd wicket, before Rafe Dickie smashed a quick 30.

In reply, Downs were about level at half way, but chased down the total, aided and abetted, by a “known” low setting sun, which made catching and fielding very difficult close to the pavilion and an unfortunate umpiring decision, where their top scoring batsman was clearly stumped off Paddy Harris’s large pads, but given not out. Fahad Majeed was the pick of the Thame bowlers, hitting the bat hard off the pitch and beating the edge, with 10 tight overs going for only 37. Furness and Ali Thomas took 2 wickets each, with Liam Evans also taking 1.

Onto Sandford at home next week, the league leaders…


3rds just one point away from Division 8 title

Hosting Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rds, Thame 3rds were asked to bowl first on a sweltering, hot day and with a very dry track. Once again Thame made early inroads thanks to Nick Humphries (1-23), who forced the skipper to lose balance and tread on his own stumps. Ollie Chaplin was unlucky not to take a wicket but supported well at the other end. Shipton then began to rebuild, taking the total to 41-1 at drinks, after 15 overs. With energy levels wilting in the sun, some hydration was required and some motivational words, by VC Jinman, then lifted the tempo. After drinks, a double-change brought wickets from James Olliver (4-17, pictured below) and “Pistol” Pete Higson (4-25), as this bowling partnership took the game by the scruff of the neck, supported by 5 good catches and commendable work by stand-in keeper Justin Avery. Pistol bowled with pace and bounce and James got the ball to hoop around, also taking 2 wickets off the last 2 balls of his final over. Shipton were eventually skittled out for 87 off just 28 overs.

After tea, openers Andy Jinman and Vim Desai (32*) set about the modest run-chase with a positive mindset, with Vim looking to get some time at the crease. After the departure of Jinman, top scorer Danny Thompson (38*) came to the crease. Vim and Danny capitalised on some friendly bowling, putting on a partnership of 69 and quickly completing a comprehensive 9-wicket win, in just 15.4 overs.

The 3rds next visit Abingdon Vale 3rds this Saturday, needing just one point to wrap up the Division 8 title.


Penny leads 4s to impressive chase

Thame 4s made the short trip to Bledlow Ridge on Saturday, looking to grab a vital 25 points in their quest to secure safety in Division 9. Having lost the toss, the hosts chose to put Thame into the field on a scorcher of a day. Having made an early breakthrough, Bledlow’s top order were solid putting on 93 off the first 27 overs before the loss of the second wicket. Economical opening spells from Trevor Spindler and Chris Penny heaped run rate pressure, forcing the loss of further wickets. Spindler taking his 3 wickets for the loss of only 17 runs and Penny taking 2 wickets for 34 in their allotted 10 overs. Rob Kenny then returned to take 3-69, Bledlow eventually all out for a round 200.

In response, Thame made a solid start with openers Charlie Anderson (20) and Tim Dabbs (27) before the middle order of Penny and Tim Airstone took Bledlow to task. With 4 down, Penny (pictured below) notched up a superb 74 not out, support by Airstone on 33 not out. Two red inkers for the middle order men taking Thame 4s to victory with 8 overs to spare. A great win cements Thame in 7th place with two games remaining in their quest to remain in League 9 in their inaugural season in the decision.

Next week Thame welcome 2nd place Tiddington to the Lord Williams school.


Win in the warm for Thame’s Women

On an exceptionally warm bank holiday Monday, Thame Ladies played a friendly against a well matched barbarian side, consisting of players from Charlbury, Oxford, Cublington, RAF and Spencer CC.

Thame lost the toss and were put in to bowl. The Barbars were off to a flying start despite an early breakthrough in the second over from Megs Woodward, with their Surrey U15 opener and Charlbury batter starting off strongly with 100 partnership within 10 overs. Shortly afterwards they both retired on 50. With new batters at the crease the wickets began to fall around accomplished Oxford junior Sana (21), with wickets for Woodward (4-24), Leanne Harris (2-28) and Laura Bailey (2-25). The barbarians finished their innings on 196-8 off 30 overs.

A tough total to pursue, Thame got off to an equally impressive start against tricky bowling with Woodward and Michelle Wells 100 partnership off 10 overs, retiring on 52 and 50 respectively. A quick 37 from Bailey and 24 not out from Danielle Connor saw Thame to victory within 26 overs.

Thame Ladies next Home Counties league fixture is on Sunday 8th September, 1pm at the Meadows against Oxford.

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