At the back end of a heatwave on Saturday, the 1st XI welcomed Chesham to Church Meadow, after a midweek T20 defeat at Horspath. Thame won the toss and batted. Devane Warner (31) got the innings off to a flyer, before Alex Browne starred with 86 from 61 balls, including 6 sixes. Wickets stalled momentum, but a more patient 51 from Jonathan Jelfs led the mid-to-lower order to post 250 all out. Dinny Malan (7-39) bowled superbly to have Chesham struggling at 67-5. With a draw looming, late wickets gave Thame hope, but at 9 down Chesham held on for 15 balls, 52 runs short. Now 9th, the 1s next go to 8th Horspath.
Thame 2s opted to bat away at local rivals Aston Rowant 3. Rob Johnson opened with 61 and James McStay (52) led the middle order, to put Thame in a strong position at 202-5. But the tail then fell away to 212 all out. Tom Wyatt (3-23) had Rowant in trouble early, backed up by Archie Gardner (2-13). Muhammed Amin then spun a brilliant 4-7 to have the hosts 72 all out and get a memorable big away win! The 2s move up to 7th and host 4th Bletchley on Saturday.
The 3rds hosted Wolvercote 4 at Lord Williams’ School, and were asked to bowl. Aaron Watson (3-11) headed a strong attack, with Ian McStay (3-18) cleaning up the tail for just 64. After an early wicket, Quasim Zaman (30*) and Adam Culley (30) took Thame most of the way to a resounding 8 wicket win! Moving up to 5th and looking for a late promotion push, the team go to leaders Chinnor 2 next.
Just down the road at Haddenham 2, the 4th XI chose to bowl. Haddenham were going strong at 70-1, however Thame fought back with Trevor Spindler and Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny matching figures of 3-27 to limit the hosts to 157-8. Chairman Tim Dabbs hit an imperious 85* from 72 balls at the top and, supported by Anirudh Menon (43), took Thame to a thumping 9 wicket victory! Still in 2nd, the team go to bottom side Chearsley 3 next.
On a cooler Sunday, Thame Women were away at Oxford. After choosing to bowl, debutant Shirley Emmanuel starred with 4-40. Ella Gorton took 2-36, as every bowler took at least 1 scalp, in 149 all out. Megs Woodward opened with 51 before Harshi Wijerathjna took Thame to a 5 wicket win with a run-a-ball 52*! Thame Women leapfrog Oxford and Falkland into 5th place, and play 2nd Moreton at Church Meadow on Sunday.
Thame Women after their 5 wicket victory on Sunday
