The highly-anticipated Summer Ball weekend arrived, and with it the 1st XI trip to Buckingham. Having chose to bowl, Dinny Malan (3-40) and Will Feeney (2-26) opened to great effect to have the hosts 39-4. Returning Skipper Hassam Mushtaq then spun 4-58, as Buckingham were all out for 146. With a relatively small target to chase, Thame were in trouble at 38-5. Malan hit 79* off just 53 balls, ably accompanied by a run-a-ball 20 from Feeney, to lead Thame to a much needed victory. The 25 points lifts the 1s out of the relegation zone to 8th, with 3rd placed Oxford visiting next.
With the Ball marquee awaiting in the background, the 2nd XI faced Westbury 2 at Church Meadow and chose to bowl. Pete Tervet again did the damage with 4-35, removing Westbury’s top 3. Young Thomas Wyatt (2-15) also opened brilliantly, before Ian McStay mopped up the innings with 3-3 from 3 overs, to have the visitors all out for 118. In-form Christian Warwick (43*) and Captain George Patey (28) then led Thame home by 8 wickets. The 2s stay 5th and, eying a push for promotion in the second half of the season, travel to 8th Wolvercote 2 next.
The 3rd XI hosted Bledlow Ridge 2 at Lord Williams’ and opted to bowl. Rob Kenny (1-12) was part of two early breakthroughs for Thame, but thereafter Bledlow were able to build to 180-4 and declared. Harshi Malan (34) helped Thame get to a solid position at 80-2. But after she departed, nobody else could carry the baton and the innings ended 119 all out. Bottom of Division 6A, the team go to 4th Fringford next.
Thame 4s were away to Great Brickhill 4. Thame chose to bowl and managed to chip away at the wickets throughout. Ed Mather came on later to take 3-17, as Brickhill ended on 164-8. Chairman Tim Dabbs opened with 41 to put Thame in a strong position, losing the 2nd wicket with 64 on the board. A middle order collapse put a win out of sight, but Sam Ward (24*) guided Thame to a draw at 123-8. Sitting 8th, the 4s host 7th Dinton 3 next.
On Sunday, Thame Women faced unbeaten Moreton at home. After Thame chose to bowl, Moreton put on an opening stand of 106 which was eventually broken by Leanne Harris (2-48). Potgieter carried on to 102*, as the visitors set an impressive 283-3 from the 40 overs. In reply, Thame built a solid opening stand of their own; Harshi Malan scored a wonderful 110, alongside Zara Wyatt (50*). But against an ever rising required rate, Thame ended 92 runs short on 189-2. Thame are now 4th, while Moreton go top. The team travel to fellow mid-tablers Falkland next Sunday.
It’s a busy week for our Saxons friendly side; On Wednesday (3rd) they take on Cairns Fudge in a T20, before hosting Islip on Sunday – all at Church Meadow!
