Week 2 brought about a chilly and drizzly weekend. After first week defeat, the 1st XI hosted Gerrards Cross at Church Meadow. Ahead of the game, Dinny Malan and Ubaid Kiani were presented with the Home Counties Premier League Division 2 Best Bowling and Batting Awards for 2025, respectively. Thame were asked to bat. Kiani (46) opened with Farid Butt (27), but nobody else could kick on from there in 150 all out. The visitors were able to reach the target swiftly for the loss of 2 wickets. The 1s go to unbeaten Oxford next.
Also looking for a first win, the 2s travelled to Oxford & Bletchingdon and were put in to bat. George Patey (67) starred at the top, supported by Harry Thomas (45) at 3, but the innings fell from 150-1 to 194 all out. Only 4 balls were possible in the 2nd innings before rain ended proceedings, giving each team 7 points. Wolvercote visit Church Meadow next.
Thame 3rd XI hosted Gaerse Dun at Lord Williams’ School, and were put in. The team were disappointingly all out for 48. Nick Humphries (4-5) bowled superbly, but the visitors reached the target in the 12th over to win by 6 wickets. Didcot 5 away is up next for the 3s.
Away at Bradenham 2 the 4th XI elected to bowl. Debutant Ani Menon (4-41) and Trevor Spindler (2-16) put Thame on top, before lower order hitting got the hosts up to 174 all out. Thame lost a wicket first ball but, led by Harshi Wijerathna (44), fought back at a strong run rate. Wickets made the game tight, but Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny (30*) held his nerve, supported in the main by Will Littlewood (17*), to see Thame home by 3 wickets with 13 balls spare! The unbeaten 4s host unbeaten Bledlow Ridge 3 next.
Looking to push on from an opening win last week, Thame Women were away to Falkland, and were invited to bowl. Falkland put on 119 for the first wicket. Zara Wyatt (2-47) got the breakthrough, before Leanne Harris (2-43) returned the best figures in 250-7. Harris (46) also starred with the bat, but the big chase could not get momentum and ended 154 all out. The team host bottom side Binfield on Sunday.
Dinny Malan receiving the Home Counties Premier Division 2 best bowler award for 2025 and Ubaid Kiani receiving the HCPCL Division 2 best batter award for 2025
