The weather was again on side as another full weekend of action went ahead for our Men’s and Women’s teams. The 1st XI travelled to Buckingham, looking to pick up a first win of the season. Batting first, Thame were undone by Buckingham’s former West Indies International, Shane Shillingford, who took 6-21 – Callum Russell‘s 33 gave the stiffest resistance in Thame’s 116. The hosts chased this down for the loss of 2 wickets.
Thame 2nd XI hosted Brackley at Church Meadow. Matt Furness (34) opened up, but Thame slumped to 75-9 before Jonathan Jelfs‘ 20 off 10 balls at 11 took them to 99 all out. Brackley were cruising in reply, then Dan Patey (3-28), Jelfs (2-13) and Jack Aston (2-16) rallied to have them 8 down with 10 needed. A few aerial shots then didn’t go to hand as the visitors scraped over the line by 2 wickets.
The 3rd XI looked to get back to winning ways at home to Didcot 3. Bowling first, Chris Penny (4-22), Ian McStay (3-20) and Taylor Vines (2-20) took the wickets for Thame, as Didcot set 151 to win. Youngster Alex Tervet (46) opened and impressed in just his 2nd game for the 3s, aided by Guy Holmes‘ 32*, as Thame sailed home with 7 wickets to spare.
Thame 4s were hosted by local rivals Tetsworth 2. After losing both openers for ducks, Captain Tim Dabbs (36) top scored, but wickets fell regularly as Thame posted 87 all out. Defending a low score, Rob Kenny took 2-21 but Tetsworth chased with ease, winning by 7 wickets inside 25 overs.
Thame’s Women‘s side took to the field for 2 Super 8 style friendlies at home to Oxenford, giving several players across the 2 teams the chance to gain some hard-ball experience. Gill Kelleher took 2 wickets and Sally Brentnall smashed 32 in the first game, as Thame won by 15 runs. In the second game, Mags Lightbody top-scored with 17, Brentnall added 2 wickets to her successful day and Michelle Wells took a memorable 1 handed catch as Thame again won, by 37 runs.
The Saxons faced a return friendly away to Waddesdon on the Sunday. Matt Furness struck 102* before retiring, leading Thame to 171-4 off 35 overs. In a tight chase, Luke Stanbridge took 3 wickets, but Waddesdon reached the target by 2 wickets.
Dan Patey for the 2nd XI v Brackley
Next Week’s Fixtures
Saturday
1st XI v Datchet
Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts v 2nd XI
Stokenchurch 2 v 3rd XI
4th XI v Westcott 2
Sunday
Saxons v TBC