This Saturday saw the return of the classic win-lose format. The 1st XI took on promotion-chasing Wokingham at Church Meadow and chose to bowl. Opener Carter hit 114, as Wokingham set about a big score. Dinny Malan (3-35) and Skipper Hassam Mushtaq (3-56) fought back to slow the visitors from 250-4, to 300-9 after the 5o overs. Alex Tervet (64) got Thame off to a solid start, before Lloyd Paternott‘s incredible 107 from just 72 balls (including 5 sixes) kept Thame in contention. His and more wickets fell, and with that required rate just too much, Thame ended all out only 17 runs short. This ends a 6 match unbeaten run for the 1s, and placed 6th, they go to 8th Chesham next.
Thame 2nd XI were away at Wolvercote 2, lost the toss and were asked to bat. Opener Harry Thomas hit a patient 46, while others couldn’t get going around him. 3 wickets on Nelson contributed to a collapse from 111-4 to 130 all out. Despite the lower target, Thame’s opening bowlers Robin Sutcliffe (4-27) and Archie Gardner (4-51) bowled superbly to steam through Wolvercote. Captain Robbie Jackson (2-6) then cleaned up to give the 2s the win by 42 runs! Comfortable in 5th, the 2s host all-but-promoted Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts next.
The 3s hosted Waddesdon 2 at Lord Williams’ School, won the toss and bowled in a relegation grudge match. Pete Tervet (3-34) and Trevor Spindler (2-10) put Thame in the ascendancy. Nick Humphries did the most damage with 4-15, to have the visitors all out for just 81. Thame’s chase started badly, as both openers fell for ducks. Jake Wilkinson and Dan Fuller then scored 21 apiece to take Thame most of the way to the target, winning by 5 wickets in 19 overs! This win takes the 3s out of the relegation zone, as they go to 4th Aylesbury next.
The 4th XI match away at Dinton 3 was abandoned due to an unsafe outfield. The team host Champions-in-waiting Leighton Buzzard 3 next, needing wins to stay in the division.
On Sunday, Thame Women travelled to Binfield and were invited to bat. Megs Woodward (34) started strong in a 50 opening stand, but from there it was Helena Purushothaman (40*) who pushed the innings on almost single handedly, as the rest of the order fell away to 125 all out. Against a strong batting outfit, Caitlin Shaw picked up the only wicket, as Binfield reached the target in the 23rd over. The team are all but safe in 6th and next have a weekend off.
