On the August Bank Holiday weekend, Thame 1st XI travelled to Chesham, won the toss and bowled. Opener Rana hit 96, and at 190-2, a big score was on the cards. Dinny Malan (4-38) helped bring Thame back into it, as the 50 overs finished on 259-9. Thame’s player of the match, Ubaid Kiani, scored 40 at the top of the order, but saw 8 partners come and go in a chase that never got going. Burden took 6 wickets, to have Thame all out for 108. Placed 6th, with a top half finish still in sight, the team go to 4th Horspath on Saturday.
Thame 2s hosted high-flying Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts at Church Meadow, and opted to bat. After the loss of the openers cheaply, Hugh Pilkington (66) swiftly led a recovery. With dogged batting needed to keep the league’s leading wicket-taker largely at bay, Archie Gardner counterpunched with a quick 34, but Thame sadly then fell from 185-4 to 196 all out. The visitors speedily reached 108 before losing the first wicket. Muhammed Amin spun 2-38, but the Nondescripts reached the target for the loss of just 3 wickets in the 31st over. Dropping from 5th to 6th, the 2s host now 5th-placed Bicester & North Oxford 2 next.
The 3rds headed to Aylesbury, needing wins to strengthen survival hopes. Aylesbury won the toss and batted first. After an early wicket, the hosts put on 99 for the 2nd wicket and 64 for the 3rd, heading for a big total. Ian McStay (3-48) returned Thame’s best figures, as the innings ended on 259-6. Thame lost wickets early and never recovered from there – Guy Holmes (22) top scored in 90 all out. Currently still safe in 8th, the team welcome 7th Chearsley 2 next.
At Lord Williams’ School, the 4th XI hosted runaway league Champions Leighton Buzzard 3, and chose to bowl. The visitors reached 102 before losing just their 2nd wicket, but Thame remained spirited, led by Danny Thompson (5-29) who spun his first ever five-for! Buzzard posted 186-8 from the 40 overs. The batting effort was again a struggle for the 4th XI as they were bowled out for 59 – Matilda Berns top scored with an unbeaten 13. Bottom of the table, the team go to 8th Wolvercote 4, needing a win to keep a slim chance of survival alive.
Thame Women had a weekend off this week. They host title-chasing Moreton in the final league game on Sunday.
Thank you to local Photographer, Christian Kyriacou (Photography, Full Stop) for taking photos at the 1st XIs recent home game v Wokingham
