Into June now and the 1st XI headed to Gerrard’s Cross, electing to bowl. The hosts started very well, with the top 3 all scoring 50s. Dinny Malan (2-32) and Hassam Mushtaq (2-66) were the pick of the bowlers, but Gerrard’s Cross managed to post 285-8. In contrast, Thame were on the back foot with 2 early ducks. Alex Browne whacked 53 off 38, including 5 sixes, to counterattack before Mushtaq continued his fine form with an unbeaten 9o. But support was lacking and the innings ended all out, 83 runs short. The 1s are 8th and host top side Harefield on Saturday.
Thame 2s hosted Tiddington 2 at Church Meadow and opted to bowl. 2 early wickets gave Thame impetus, with Pete Tervet‘s incredibly tight spell of 10 overs, 1 wicket, for just 9 runs. Tiddington’s middle order rallied, before James Dack removed the two set batters. Daniel Fuller and Ian McStay added 2 wickets apiece as the score ended on 162-9. Thame were in big trouble at 36-5 and could not recover to end 111 all out, losing by 51 runs – Fuller top-scored with 32. Now 5th, the team travel to 4th-placed Bletchley Town next.
The 3rd XI went to Long Marston 2 and were asked to bat. Richard Carr (33) opened the innings, before a flurry of wickets. Nick Fuller (40) batted doggedly, and with a lower order push, Thame recovered to 156-8. ‘Pistol’ Pete Higson (2-38) and Zac Harris bowled superbly from the start. At 12-2 the hosts were struggling, before Harris‘ unfortunate shoulder dislocation changed the game. Without his bowling and undermanned in the field, Long Marston were able to ease home by 6 wickets. The 3s are bottom and host 5th Leighton Buzzard 2 next. We wish Zac a speedy recovery!
The 4s also took on Tiddington at home, as their 3rd XI visited Lord Williams’ School. Thame opted to bowl. Tiddington put on 67 for first wicket, before young Callum Lord (2-25) removed both openers. Shay Reading then got a jug in with a brilliant 5-24, as Tidd were all out for 160. In response, the top order could not get going and the innings petered out 45 runs short, with Will Littlewood‘s 17 the top score at 6. Sitting in 7th, the 4s travel to 8th Leighton Buzzard 3 next.
Thame Women looked to salvage the weekend with two T20s at Henley. After choosing to field in the first game, Leanne Harris picked up a wicket and runout to remove the openers. Henley proved to have some strong batting, but Harshi Malan (2-16) came on later as the innings ended on 139-6. In reply, Thame had a few starts. Charlotte Harvey (14) gave the best effort, but the chase fell 61 runs short. Game 2 and Thame again fielded first. Harvey (2-9) and Malan (2-20) helped restrict to a lower total of 124-5. Then, a brilliant opening partnership of 100 between Malan (61*) and Megs Woodward (42), took Thame most of the way to a win 8 wickets! That was the last of the T20s – Thame finish 3rd in the group of 4, above Henley. Oxford are the opponents at home in the first league game next Sunday.
