Week 12 of Saturday action and our 1st XI welcomed Stoke Green to Church Meadow. The visitors chose to bat and set off well with a strong top order performance, led by Paternott’s 119. Dinny Malan (5-54) picked up a 5for, while spinners Hassam Mushtaq and MD Nazmul also picked up 2 wickets each in 244 all out. Farid Butt (42) started strong for Thame, before Alex Browne hit 36, including 3 more sixes. Malan (54) added to his good day, as Thame remained in the hunt for victory. Sadly the lower order could not complete the job, ending on 210 all out, but a healthy amount of bonus points were achieved. With other relegation rivals also losing, Thame go 9th and host high-flying Gerrard’s Cross next.
Thame 2s travelled to Waddesdon, who batted first. Archie Gardner (6-30) stole the show, removing the top 5 as the hosts were in disarray at 8-5. Pete Tervet (4-24) joined the party, to skittle Waddesdon for just 55. David Nieman (17) then top scored as Thame won by 7 wickets for an early finish. The 2nd XI stay 6th and go to bottom side Tiddington 2 on Saturday.
The 3rd XI went down the road to face Haddenham. The hosts chose to bat. Captain Chris Penny (2-41) took 2 early wickets to give Thame a good start, but from there 3 Haddenham batters scored half centuries, making the most of the short boundary on one side. Harshi Malan then spun a superb 5-35 to save Thame from an even bigger target, as the innings ended on 223-9. Tim Dabbs opened with 36 to help set the team out for bonus points and the draw. Some spirited performances got the team there, closing on 114-5. Lying 2nd from bottom, the team are eying up what would be an important win at home to 7th Long Marston 2 next.
A depleted 4th XI hosted Oxenford 3 at Lord Williams Upper School. Thame opted to bowl and got the top order out cheaply thanks to Trevor Spindler (3-28) and Sam Ward (3-53). From there, the lower order managed to get Oxenford up to 181. With a young and undermanned side, Charlie Anderson led from the front with a dogged 29* to get Thame the draw at 92-2. Placed 8th, the 4s go to promotion chasing Tiddington 3 next.
On Sunday, Thame Women took on Charlbury at Church Meadow and elected to field. Thame picked up 2 early wickets, but 190* from Flory set Charlbury on the way to a big score. Sally Brentnall took 2-72 later on, but the innings ended on an impressive 328-6. Harshi Malan (101) scored another wonderful ton at the top of the order for Thame in reply, alongside Leanne Harris (58) who scored her first half-century for the club. The pair reached 158 for the first wicket, but with the required rate always challenging, the innings finished on 225-6 to achieve a strong amount of bonus points. The team are 6th out of 8 in the Home Counties Premier Division and host 4th Stony Stratford next.
This Friday (2nd August), the Saxons take on Racquets at Church Meadow. The bar will be open and support will be welcome!