2nd XI win Division 5!
Thame 2nds travelled to 4th-placed Cumnor 2nds, knowing that promotion to Division 4 of the Cherwell League was by no means secure – a minimum of 9 points could be required, if the gloomy weather forecast did not play out. In the event, the match got off to an early start and Cumnor batted first but, despite a rapid start, they soon began to lose wickets regularly. With Ian McStay (4-47) and skipper Chris Jeffcock (3-39) making inroads, Cumnor were bundled out for 153 in the 20th over.
In reply, Thame had to balance a desire to score quickly to beat the oncoming rain, with the need to retain wickets. Despite a good 2nd-wicket partnership of 46 between James Nielsen and Matt Furness, the result remained in the balance for most of the innings, as 6 wickets fell. It was largely thanks to Furness (76), with late support from Christian Warwick, that Thame got home in the 29th over, thereby taking 25 points and winning Division 5 by a margin of 20 points from Horspath – the first time the 2nds have won their division for a decade!
Rainy defeat for the 1st XI
Thame 1st XI ended their league season with a rain-affected defeat against visitors Oxford, based on the Duckworth-Lewis system. Thame won the toss and elected to bat, with 36 from Will Sutcliffe and 55 not out from Hassam Mushtaq bringing them up to 162 all out in 43 overs. In reply, Oxford started quickly with rain threatening, but despite being pegged back by wickets from Higgs, Mushtaq and Lachlan, when the rain finally came down Oxford were 108 for 4 off 21 overs, which constituted a completed game and meant that Oxford secured promotion to the Home Counties 1st Division. Meanwhile, Thame had already achieved their goal of remaining in Division 2 for the 2017 season, after this first season back up.
Rain abandonment after strong batting performance for the 3rd XI
Thame 3rds travelled to Bicester and North Oxford 3rds with 2nd place in Division 9 (North) already confirmed. Thame lost the toss and were asked to bat with drizzle in the air. Joe Phippen (51) scored his maiden fifty for the 3rds in an opening stand of 114 with Danny Thompson (47). With rain interruptions and the loss of overs, Dave Saunders (26), Vim Desai (17) and Lewis Ludlam (10 not out) went in with licence to thrill as Thame ended on 175-4 from 37 overs. The return innings was cut short after 4 overs as the rain set in, giving no result and leaving the team frustrated. But, it was a great season all-round, with only 1 defeat and possible promotion.