August has arrived, and a trip to Challow & Childrey awaited the 1st XI, who were invited to field first. Dinny Malan (3-12) removed 2 of the top 3, as the hosts reached 113-3. From there, Captain Hassam Mushtaq (4-42) and Alex Browne (2-14) led 7 wickets for just 22 runs in 135 all out. At 36-5 Thame were making tough work of the chase. A blitz of 84* from 46 balls by Browne, including six 6s, was ably supported by Foa Fasanya‘s cool 23* to get Thame to a brilliant win by 5 wickets! Now 5th and moving away from danger, the 1s host 8th Ickenham on Saturday.
The 2nds welcomed Bicester & North Oxford 2 to Church Meadow and opted to bat. Opener James Neilson scored a superb 122 to put Thame in a strong position. Robin Sutcliffe (24*) and Archie Gardner (24) later scored quickly as Thame finished on 235-8. 2 wickets each for Sutcliffe, Kulveer Singh and Ian McStay had victory in sight at 96-8, but it was a familiar tale as a 68 partnership followed by an unbeaten 20 partnership for the final wicket got BNO to a draw. Taking a strong 19 points, the 2s stay 7th and go to 9th Buckingham Town 2 next.
Thame 3s were away to East Oxford 3 and put the opposition into bat. Captain Rob Tomlin took out 2 of the top 4, before 4 wickets in 4 balls evenly spread between Harshi Wijerathna (3-44) and Mukil Kamal (3-13) helped Thame skittle East Oxford for 126. In the chase Thame lost wickets at regular intervals, but led by Skipper Tomlin (38*) and Sam Holmes‘ 24 were able to get over the line by 3 wickets! Sitting 5th, the 3s go to 4th Frieth 2 next in a big game for late outside promotion chances!
It was a top of the table clash for our 4th XI at home to Oxenford 4. Thame won the toss and bowled, which proved to be a great decision, as Trevor Spindler (5-6) took yet another 5for, backed up by 2 apiece from Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny and Captain Ed Mather to have the visitors all out for just 37. Young Harvey Leitch (23*) took Thame to victory by 7 wickets within 10 overs! Back top of the table, the team go to 5th Chesterton & Wendlebury 2 next.
The weekend started strong as the Women‘s side beat Faringdon at Church Meadow in an 8-a-side hundred match, on Friday night! League action resumes next Sunday for 6th-placed Thame, at home to 4th Stony Stratford.
