In week 3 the 1st XI took on Falkland at Church Meadow and chose to bowl. Dinny Malan (2-25) bowled with typically brilliant economy from the top, then later on Captain Hassam Mushtaq (3-21) and Ubaid Kiani (2-7) blew away the middle and lower order to 140 all out. In reply, Player of the match, Lloyd Paternott, continued his fine form with 81 from 71 balls in a 115 partnership with Kiani (39*). A few late wickets couldn’t stop a resounding win by 6 wickets with 20 overs to spare! Thame sit 5th in the Home Counties Premier League Division 2 and go to 6th placed Datchet next.
The 2nd XI played away at Aston Rowant 3 and put the hosts into bat. Pete Tervet (3-42) led Thame’s attack and Muhammed Amin spun 2-35 later on, as Rowant posted a competitive 201-8 from their 50 overs. At 41-4, Thame’s innings started badly. A strong Hugh Pilkington (49) and Archie Gardner (37) partnership brought Thame back into it, but despite this and a small wag of the tail, the chase ended on 180 all out. Sitting 7th, the 2s host 5th-placed Waddesdon on Saturday.
Thame 3s travelled down the road to Tiddington 3 and were put into bat. The returning Harry Thomas opened with 73 to set Thame up, however the middle order struggled. 41 not out from Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny at 10 pushed the total up to a strong 206-9. Penny‘s day then got even better as he took 5-11, alongside Jeremy Batty‘s 2-2, in Tiddington’s 83 all out. A huge 123 run win takes the 3rd XI up to 5th – the team go to 8th Bletchley Town 2 next.
The 4th XI hosted Great Brickhill 4 at Lord Williams’ School, won the toss and bowled. Danny Thompson (2-24) spun Thame to a great start, backed up by junior Josh Lowe (2-24). Shay Reading also bagged 2 wickets, but a strong middle order performance got Brickhill up to 171-8. It was then an innings to forget for Thame; Sean Bellenie (19) provided the best effort in 76 all out. Looking for that first win, the 4s go to 3rd place Westcott 2 next.
On Sunday, Thame Women travelled to Moreton in the Women’s Home Counties Premier League, won the toss and bowled. It was a familiar tale for Thame, as an immovable opener dominated the opposition scorecard; Ingram’s 110 setting Moreton on their way. Megs Woodward later took 4-7 to abruptly end the innings, with Natasha Carter and Caitlin Shaw taking 2 each in 228 all out. Matilda Berns (31*) and Harshi Malan (31), plus good starts for several other batters, wasn’t enough as Thame ended on 172-8. With healthy bonus points, but still looking for that first win, Thame host unbeaten Falkland next.
On bank holiday Monday, Church Meadow played host to Oxfordshire’s showcase T20 match versus Surrey. Hundreds of spectators were in attendance to see Surrey come out on top by just 11 runs!
Lloyd Paternott (pictured above in match action last season and below with his Player of the match medal) hit 81 as the 1st XI won again!
