It was the last of the win-lose-draw format matches this past weekend, and with it Thame 1st XI travelled to league leaders Slough, who put Thame into bat. Jonathon Jelfs hit 50 from 52 balls batting at 3 in a solid start, but his wicket brought about 5 wickets for just 11 runs. 46* not out from Captain Hassam Mushtaq led the lower order to get Thame to 173 all out. Dinny Malan (4-36) continued his fine bowling form, as Slough found themselves 0-2 in the first over, and on to 39-6. Alex Browne (3-36) and player of the match Jelfs (2-18) took over to get the win by 39 runs! In 5th, with a view to a late promotion push, the 1s host 2nd Wokingham next.
At Church Meadow, the 2s hosted Middleton Cheney and put them into bat. Pete Tervet (4-58) made early inroads, before a 138 run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Youngster Aaron Watson (2-27) removed the 2 set batters, before Archie Gardner took 4-42 to end the innings on 240 all out. A controversial mankad for the first wicket contributed to a feisty chase. Plenty of Thame batters got starts – Hugh Pilkington (41) and Daniel Tervet (35) to name a few – but regular wickets meant the draw was the aim at the end, and it was achieved at 202-8. The 2s stay 5th and go to relegation threatened Wolvercote 2 next.
Thame 3rd XI went to runaway table-toppers Bradenham and were invited to bowl. Bradenham showed their strength, declaring on 267-7, allowing them more overs to bowl Thame out. Jeremy Batty was the pick of the Thame bowlers with 4-39. After a patient start, Thame lost 4 quick wickets. From there, Wilkinson (68*), Batty (30*) and David Nieman (30) battled away to get Thame to a welcome 11 points, drawing on 168-5. Still 9th, the 3s next host bottom side Waddesdon 2, in a must-win game.
Thame 4ths were at Lord Williams’ School versus East Oxford 3. After putting the visitors into bat, Thame were indebted to several of our Women’s players. Caitlin Shaw (4-62) and Leanne Harris (3-50) chipped away at the wickets while East Oxford were able to put runs on the board, ending all out for 223. Batting continues to be a struggle for the 4th XI, as they fell to 47 all out. Youngster Hector De Haan top scored with 11. The team go to 8th-placed Dinton 3 next, in a must win game, looking to get off the foot of the table.
Thame Women faced Stony Stratford at Church Meadow on Sunday, where the visitors opted to bat first. Harshi Wijerathna (3-15) put the pressure on immediately, before a 74 run partnership for the 5th wicket kicked the innings on. Caitlin Shaw came on and took a brilliant 5-11, removing Stony Stratford’s lead batter and ripping through the tail to end the innings on 147 all out. In reply, Thame also lost early wickets and never got going from there. Caty Murrell hit a run-a-ball 21, which was the best effort in 81 all out. In 5th place, the side go to 7th-placed Binfield next.1
This Sunday (17th), the club is again honoured to be hosting Oxfordshire, this time for a 3 day match against Berkshire!
