Needing a win to be assured of putting their name on the Cherwell League Division 9D Trophy, the 4th XI travelled to Chearsley 3 and opted to bowl first. Trevor Spindler put Thame on the front foot with 3-13, taking him to 47 wickets for the season – a league-high! Captain Ed Mather and Ben Batty added 2 wickets apiece, as Chearsley were all out for 90. Young Mukil Kamal opened with 35, but struggled for partners at the top of the order until Sean Bellenie‘s 24, which took Thame most of the way to a 3 wicket victory and the Division 9 title!
With Division 3B survival in their own hands, the 2nd XI faced a trip to Bletchley Town, where Thame chose to bowl. Tom Wyatt took 2-12 early, as each of the seamers picked up at least a wicket each. At 50-4, Thame’s spin duo of Jeremy Batty (3-2) and Muhammed Amin (3-32) did the damage to have Bletchley 109 all out. Co-Captain George Patey opened with 25, while nobody else in the top order could get going. At 99-8, the game was tense and the opposition feisty, but Batty (25*) kept his cool to lead Thame home by 2 wickets, securing safety from relegation!
The 1st XI finished the season at home with a mid-table clash against Horspath. After opting to bat, Thame found themselves 0-2 early on! Alex Browne smashed 60 alongside Ubaid Kiani (37) to help Thame recover, before Dinny Malan‘s brisk 31 took Thame to 193 all out. Jonathon Jelfs and Captain Hassam Mushtaq took 2 wickets each, but opener Konidena (100*) proved immovable and got Horspath to a 5 wicket win. Thame gained enough bonus points to finish 6th above Horspath in the Home Counties Premier Division 2.
Thame 3rds closed 2026 at home to promotion chasing Chinnor 2, who were put into bat. Captain Rob Tomlin (2-37) got an early scalp, backed up by Ian McStay (2-26) who did for the middle order, but it was young Dan Tilley again who starred with 3-28 as Chinnor posted 133-8 from the 40 overs. After losing 2 wickets quickly, Manil Subesinghe (57) helped put Thame in command. After his demise it was David Hewes (28*) who steered Thame to a comfortable 6 wicket victory, and a 4th place finish!
At Church meadow on Sunday, Thame Women finished the season against Oxford. After being put into bat, Thame were all out for just 44. Oxford were able to reach the target without losing a wicket. Thame finished the Home Counties Women’s League Premier Division in 7th place out of 8, living to fight another season in the top flight in 2027!
Church Meadow hosts 2 Saxons friendlies this weekend, before the ground is put to bed for another year!
And finally, it’s goodbye from me! During the off-season I will be stepping down from my website and social media duties. I took on the role in 2015, when I lived in Thame and the club had just 3 Saturday teams in the old dilapidated (but lovable) clubhouse. Now, I live in the Midlands, we have 4 Saturday teams, the Saxons, a Women’s side, a junior section that is more thriving than ever and a fantastic modern clubhouse! So I feel now is the time for someone who is able to be more present around the club to take on the role and freshen things up in their own way! A huge thank you to everyone who follows, reads, likes and shares anything that I’ve ever made for the club. It’s been a privilege to be a small part of the club’s incredible growth in the last few years. I will be around for the odd match, should a slow and dull display with the bat ever be needed!
Cheers!
Joe Phippen
4th XI – Cherwell League Division 9 Champions!
1st XI
2nd XI
3rd XI
Womens XI
