The 2024 season was rounded off on Friday (27th) with the Adult Awards Night at the clubhouse – a little later in September than usually billed!
Ian McStay led the ceremony, and started off by announcing the 4th XI award winners, in the absence of the leading members of the side. The batting and bowling honours were retained for yet another year by Charlie Anderson and Trevor Spindler, respectively. Charlie scored 318 runs and was out only once in 8 innings, while Trevor took 26 wickets. The feats were even more impressive, as the pair spent part of the season in the 3rd XI. Perhaps this is why the 4th XI did not challenge for promotion in the same way as they did in 2023, finishing 7th in Division 8A.
3rd XI Captain Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny, with good humour, told the tale of a difficult season for the 3rd XI. The team were relegated from Division 6A, with 1 win the highlight against the only team to finish below them. Nick Humphries won the Bowling Award with 23 wickets, pipping the Captain by 1 wicket. The Batting Award went to Tim Dabbs who scored 137 runs in just 5 innings, stepping up from the 4th XI.
Skippers Robbie Jackson and George Patey provided another humorous rundown of the 2nd XI season. It was an up and down season, with promotion and relegation both an outside possibility for most of the season. A memorable win at Westbury confirmed safety on the penultimate weekend, and the team won again on the last day to finish 5th in Division 4A. Captain Patey won the batting award with 223 runs, while club legends Ian McStay and Pete Tervet shared the Bowling Award, taking 31 wickets each. There was also a thank you to outgoing Club Secretary Sally Patey, who provided great support and was scorer for the team again this season.
1st XI Captain Hassam Mushtaq spoke about their Home Counties Premier Division 2 campaign. There were a few new faces, alongside multiple youngsters stepping up and playing more of a role in the 1st XI this year. Dinny Malan returned as the overseas pro and again performed brilliantly with bat and ball. Thame finished 7th in a what was a tight mid-to-lower table, beating two promotion chasers later in the season to secure safety from relegation. The Batting Award went to the big-hitting Alex Browne who scored 429 runs, while Captain Mushtaq took the Bowling Award for his 29 wickets – the 6th highest in the whole of the division.
The Women‘s side marked the end of the season in their own way this year. Sarah Sanderson‘s team finished 6th out of 8 in a tough Home Counties Premier League. Harshi Malan was again star of the season, picking up the Batting and Bowling awards. Her 499 runs were the highest in the division, as were her 17 wickets.
After a break for Dominos Pizza, John Patey announced that Steve Shaw and Andy Hobbs were joint Club Champions for their roles within the youth setup, particularly for leading All Stars and Dynamos on a Friday night, but also for guiding our U11 Girls side to an Oxfordshire Trophy win!
Ian McStay presented the John Fulkes Award, given to a younger player who has performed at senior level. John Fulkes was a Chairman of the club and huge supporter of cricket, particularly youth cricket, in the town. After his passing just over 20 years ago, Thame Town Cricket Club created this award in his honour. This year, the award went to Brad Watson! This season, Brad nailed down a spot in the 1st XI as a strong bowler and was also a part of several important late batting partnerships in the successful fight against relegation.
A massive thank you to all who helped organise the evening. Thank you also to Angus Lachlan for running the bar.
Here’s to 2025!
1st XI Batting Award – Alex Browne
1st XI Bowling Award – Hassam Mushtaq
2nd XI Batting Award – George Patey
2nd XI Bowling Award – Ian McStay & Pete Tervet
3rd XI Batting Award – Tim Dabbs
3rd XI Bowling Award – Nick Humphries
4th XI Batting Award – Charlie Anderson
4th XI Bowling Award – Trevor Spindler
Women’s Batting Award – Harshani Malan
Women’s Bowling Award – Harshani Malan
Club Champion – Steve Shaw & Andy Hobbs
John Fulkes Award – Brad Watson
Ian McStay presenting the 1st XI Bowling Award to Hassam Mushtaq
Robbie Jackson presenting the 2nd XI Batting Award to George Patey
Robbie Jackson and George Patey presenting the 2nd XI Bowling Award to Pete Tervet and Ian McStay
Chris Penny presenting the 3rd XI Bowling Award to Nick Humphries
Ian McStay presenting the John Fulkes Award to Brad Watson
Robbie Jackson and George Patey thanked Sally Patey for all her work with the 2nd XI