In week 12, the 1st XI travelled to Falkland and were put into bat. Player of the match Ubaid Kiani (81) led the batting, and alongside Lloyd Paternott (48) built solid foundations for Alex Browne to come in and smash 63 from 42 balls. This allowed Thame to declare on 279-9. Dinny Malan (3-36) took 2 early wickets, before a 102 partnership for the 4th wicket strengthened the chase. Skipper Hassam Mushtaq (2-96) removed both set batters and Browne spun 2-24, to get Thame the win by 34 runs. Moving up to 6th, the 1s host 5th-placed Datchet, with the chance to leapfrog them, on Saturday.
Thame 2s hosted unbeaten Aston Rowant 3 at Church Meadow, and were asked to bat. Thame’s top order struggled to get going. Hugh Pilkington (60) hit yet another half century, while Oli Sutcliffe got 49, as the middle order helped Thame post 219-8. At 145-1, Rowant were cruising. Ross Handley took 2-31 to lead a fightback, but the 5th and 6th wicket partnerships went on the attack and got Rowant home by 5 wickets. The 2s stay 6th and go to 7th-placed Waddesdon next.
At Lord Williams’ School, the 3rds hosted Tiddington 3 and were invited to bat first. The innings was led by Guy Holmes‘ imperious 119. Holmes dealt mostly in boundaries, facing just 78 balls, as he took Thame to 208 all out. Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny (3-27) and Trevor Spindler (3-35) put Thame on top. But at 96-9, it was déjà vu for the 3rd XI, as the final wicket remained frustratingly elusive. Tiddington reached 131-9 for the draw. 19 points takes Thame out of the relegation zone, and they host the team who have just fallen into their place, Bletchley Town 2, next.
The 4th XI hit the road to Great Brickhill 4, lost the toss and bowled. After 2 early wickets, the hosts recovered to 90-2. Ed Mather (3-12) and Shay Reading (3-54) then helped peg Brickhill back, as they posted 159-8 from the 42 overs. In the chase, Thame were staring down the barrel at 48-7. Tim Airstone (19*) led spirited rearguard action, and saved the draw. Placed 9th, the 4s go to 3rd-placed Westcott 2 on Saturday.
In-form Thame Women took on Charlbury at Church Meadow on Sunday, won the toss and batted. Harshi Wijerathna opened with 62, while the top order all got starts. Caitlin Shaw took over with a run-a-ball 37, to push Thame up to 198-7 from the 40 overs. After a solid start, Charlbury fell away thanks to Shaw (4-23) and Wijerathna (3-20) – the later is now the leading wicket taker in the HCWCL, and picked up the prized scalp of league leading run score, Flory, for just 21. Megs Woodward took 2 wickets in her 11 balls, to seal the win by 81 runs. This was a fourth league win in a row, which has the team 5th as they go to bottom side Beaconsfield next.
