On the last Saturday of the win-lose-draw format cricket for our Saturday sides, the 1st XI headed to runaway league-leaders Harefield and put them into bat. Thame’s bowlers kept things tight and picked up wickets throughout; Dinny Malan (2-58) removed the main stay McLeod for 82 later on, as Captain Hassam Mushtaq (4-69) led his side in restricting Harefield to 185-9. Farid Butt (46) opened strongly around most of the rest of the top order falling cheaply. New signing Lloyd Paternott (48) came in to provide support, but at 128-5 the game was in the balance! From there, Malan (45*) and Mushtaq (28*) took Thame to a brilliant win! The 25 points takes the team out of the relegation zone to 7th. The 1st XI host 8th placed Amersham in a crunch game next Saturday.
Thame 2s hosted Bletchley Town at Church Meadow and were put into bat. Thame slipped to 39-5. Oli Sutcliffe hit 48 batting at number 7 to help the innings recover to 150 all out. Bletchley’s top 5 all got starts as the result looked likely. Thame did bring it back with some later wickets led by Thomas Wyatt (2-40), but could do no more to prevent a loss by 5 wickets. The 2s stay 6th and go to promotion-chasing East Oxford 2 next.
The 3rd XI were away to Leighton Buzzard 2. With a young side and many regulars away, Thame were put into bat. Against strong bowling, nobody could get going as Thame were bowled out for just 52 – Joe Phippen‘s 12 the best effort. Danny Thompson picked up the only wicket as Leighton Buzzard won by 9 wickets. The defeat confirms relegation after a tough season in Division 6A. The team go to 2nd place Great Brickhill 3 next.
Thame 4th XI also took on Leighton Buzzard, as their 3rd XI visited Lord Williams’ School. After choosing to bowl, Sam Ward (4-45) and Trevor Spindler (3-37) put Thame on top at 76-7. From there Buzzard managed to get up to 151, with the returning Zed Khan (3-36) mopping up the tail. As with last week, Charlie Anderson (41*) led from the front, but lacked strong support as Thame saved the draw at 90-6. Still in 8th, the 4s host bottom side Chearsley 3 next.
Thame Women travel to Oxford next Sunday, after a weekend off!
Captain Hassam Mushtaq, pictured here earlier in the season, took 4-69 in a vital win for the 1st XI
