Week 7 of league cricket and Thame 1s headed to Stoke Green, where they were invited to bowl. Stoke Green continually put on partnerships, with 5 batters passing 40, while wickets were shared around Captain Hassam Mushtaq‘s 3-103. The hosts declared on 307-7. After an early loss and then 4 wickets in 15 balls, it was a tall order for Thame. Dinny Malan hit 61 from 54 balls, but this was the bright spark in 153 all out. Placed 8th, the 1s host 7th Chesham next.
At Church Meadow, the 2nd XI hosted Wolverton and put them into bat. Wolverton looked to be building a big score before Ian McStay (3-55) led a fight back culminating in the last 3 wickets falling for 0 runs in 229 all out. George Patey (45) again started strongly at the top, but struggled for strong partnerships. 5 wickets then fell for 23 to put Thame in trouble, but Archie Gardner (37*) and McStay steered Thame to 12 points in a draw at 166-9. 8th in the table, the 2s go to 3rd place Aston Rowant 3 next.
Thame 3rds went to Oxenford 3 and were put into bat. After being 1-2, Kishore Suresh (45) and Captain Rob Tomlin (35) recovered, but no batters reached double figures from there in 119 all out. Captain Tomlin (4-47) did some damage with the ball, but Oxenford were able to ease to a 6 wicket win. Sitting 7th, the 3s host 6th Wolvercote 4 next.
At Lord Williams’ School, the 4s hosted Waddesdon 3 and were put into bat. Chairman Tim Dabbs (40) and Anirudh Menon (35) opened to great effect, setting Thame up for 175-8. Trevor Spindler (3-21) and Will Littlewood (2-16) put Thame in command, before Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny (3-6) blitzed through the tail to have the visitors 90 all out. The 4s move back up to 2nd and go to 6th Haddenham 3 next.
On Sunday at Church Meadow, Thame Women‘s scheduled two Super 8s games against Banbury were condensed, due to the extreme heat, into 1 longer Super 8s match. Thame won the toss and fielded. Banbury hit 158-9 giving a net score of 113 – wickets were spread across the bowlers plus 2 pivotal run outs. Thame scored 143-5, led by Helena Purushothaman (24*), to get the win by 5 runs with a net score of 118! Back to league action next, the team are away at Oxford, with both sides just above the relegation spot.
