After a complete wash out last week, our teams took to the field for the penultimate weekend of the regular season.
Needing a win to secure Home Counties Division 2 status, the 1st XI hosted fellow relegation threatened Buckingham, who put Thame into bat. Adam Ali (30) and Farid Butt (21) started with positive stroke play, however Thame then lost wickets in quick succession and were struggling at 96-7. Ubaid Kiani (57) and Jonathon Jelfs (57*) rebuilt, both playing one of their best knocks of the season. This was Jelfs‘ first fifty in HCPCL, taking the total to 207-8 on a tricky deck. Buckingham started positively, however Thame bowlers kept hitting the lengths and testing batters – it was one of those days when every bowling change worked and each spell produced something magical. Alex Browne (4-17) was pick of the bowlers, however every bowler contributed towards bowling Buckingham out for 155. Considering the situation in the league, this was by far the best team performance in the recent history of the club. The team go to Oxford on the final day of season.
The 2nd XI travelled to lowly Westbury 2 and opted to bowl. Co-Captain Robbie Jackson (4-18) led from the off alongside Thomas Wyatt (2-41) to have the hosts 36-6. Two strong partnerships led by Peyton Bruhl’s 114* helped Westbury get away and up to 195 all out, with the returning James Dack picking up 2 wickets. Fellow Co-Captain George Patey (72*) opened strongly for Thame, and at 74-4 was accompanied by Jake Wilkinson (36*), to put on a memorable unbeaten 122 partnership to take Thame to victory by 6 wickets! This important win means Thame can no longer finish in the bottom 2, all but guaranteeing survival in a sometimes varying number of relegated teams. In 6th, Thame look to make double sure at home to 7th Wolvercote 2 next weekend.
Thame 3rd XI headed for the hills to face Bledlow Ridge 2. The hosts chose to bat and got off to a flyer, before Thame managed to stem the flow in the middle. Captain Chris Penny took 2-58 including a comical deflected stumping off his pads by keeper Tim Dabbs, but Ridge accelerated again to 280-5. The 3s batting continued the struggles of this season, with Nick Fuller‘s 19 the best effort in 98 all out. The team end the season against 3rd placed Fringford at home.
The 4th XI took on Great Brickhill 3 at Lord Williams’ School. After choosing to bowl, Trevor Spindler and Will Littlewood took 2 wickets apiece to put Thame on top. Zahoor Khan (3-16) came on later to finish off the innings, as Brickhill posted 110. The ever immovable Charlie Anderson (50*) hit another unbeaten half-century to take Thame to a 4 wicket win! The 4s end the season at Dinton 3, in the battle to finish in 6th place.
Thame Women were away at Berkhamsted on Sunday, and were asked to bowl first. The hosts’ top order all got starts, while Harshi Malan took 2-20 to have the score at 172-4. From there, Megs Woodward came on and took 3-21 to help Thame fightback superbly well to end the 40-over innings on 194-8. Woodward also led Thame’s batting with 41, but struggled for partners as the chase fell to 123 all out. The team sit 6th, 2 places above the relegation spot and needing 10 points to guarantee survival next week, as they finish the season at home to Champions Moreton.
Written by Joe Phippen & Hassam Mushtaq
1st XI Team Photo 2024
4th XI Team Photo 2024
