Titles, promotions, qualifications and survival all still remain on the line after the penultimate weekend’s results. The resurgent 1st XI faced Oxford away, and were put into bat. Skipper-for-the-day Callum Russell (71*) and Dinushka Malan (41) shared a 76 partnership to help Thame post 225-7. In reply, Kelvin Burrows and Malan took 2 wickets each to have Oxford in trouble at 76-5. A strong 6th wicket partnership put Oxford back in the game, but Hassam Mushtaq (3-33) and Jonathon Jelfs (3-35) pulled through as Oxford fell 21 runs short. Thame rise out of the relegation zone, and need to win next week to guarantee safety versus High Wycombe, who themselves need to win to guarantee the title!
The table-topping 2s hosted Oxford’s 2nd XI at Church Meadow. Matt Furness (46) and Harry Thomas (41) shared another strong opening stand of 114, before Christian Warwick‘s 54* gave Thame 235-5. Luke Hayes and Nick Humphries led the attack with 2 wickets and spinner Dan Patey later took 3-48 as Oxford slumped to 109-7. But it was an unbeaten 10th wicket partnership of 77 that took Oxford to an unlikely win by 1 wicket. The 2s are 6 points clear at top, and a win next week would guarantee the title!
Thame 3s took on Wantage & Grove at LWS in a promotion battle. Thame opted to bowl, but Wantage started strongly. Ian McStay (3-26), Chris Penny (3-37), Rob Tomlin (2-39) and a rare wicket for batsman Richard Carr then did the damage for Thame to have Wantage all out for 177. Justin Avery (45) led the chase, while Carr and Manil Subesinghe made starts, but after their departure the batting fell away and Thame lost by 31 runs. The bonus points picked up mean the 3s have affectively secured promotion to Division 5!
The 4th XI travelled to Bletchley Town 2. Batting first, Charlie Anderson (74*) starred alongside David Hewes (40) as Thame posted 147-4 from the 45 overs. Zed Khan then picked up the only wicket, as Bletchley reached the target in the 37th over, to win by 9 wickets. The 4s’ impressive 9-match unbeaten run sadly came to an end, but the team sit clear in 6th with 5th place still a possibility.
Thame Women headed to Falkland and their impressive new clubhouse. On a good strip, the hosts batted. Mel White and Megs Woodward took 1 wicket apiece, however these were the only wickets to fall as Falkland struck 218-2. Woodward opened with 41, and Catherine Hawkes hit a brilliant 80* off 66 balls, but Thame fell 27 runs short at 191-6. The 9 valuable bonus points mean Thame sit 3rd, and next week head to Wargrave for a showdown where the winner could take 2nd and qualify for the semi-final! Captain Sarah Sanderson commended the commitment of her team, as several players cut short vacations to be available for these big games!
Next Week’s Fixtures
Saturday
1st XI v High Wycombe
Minster Lovell v 2nd XI
Steventon v 3rd XI
4th XI v Chalgrove
Sunday
Wargrave v Women’s XI
Saxons v Haddenham