At the half way point in Saturday League cricket, our 1st XI headed to fellow relegation-threatened Bicester & North Oxford. With rain a factor, Thame were put into bat. Alex Tervet hit a patient 87 at the top, alongside swift middle order contributions. A late salvo of 51 from 29 by skipper Hassam Mushtaq came ahead of a declaration on 286-7. An opening stand of 109 threatened for the hosts before Dinny Malan got the breakthrough, and kept on going to a memorable 7-34, to have the hosts 169 all out. The 1s move up to 7th in a tight table, and go to 5th-placed Oxford after a Tuesday T20 at Tiddington. Henley forfeited this week’s T20, so a friendly versus High Wycombe took its place – Malan (59) and young Ben Batty (4-30) starred in a 77 run win.
Thame 2s hosted Tetsworth 2 at Church Meadow and were put into bat. Co-skipper George Patey (42) opened solidly, with most of the top and middle order getting starts. Daniel Tervet hit a quick fire 39* late on as Thame declared on 212-5. There were a couple of early wickets for Thame, including for Robin Sutcliffe on his way to 3-10. 3 wickets apiece for Ian McStay and Muhammed Amin skittled Tetsworth for 150. The 2s rise to to 5th and host promotion-chasing Bledlow Ridge next.
The 3rd XI faced Wolverton 2 at Lord Williams’, and chose to bat. Thame lost regular wickets from the off. A wag of the tail, led by Danny Thompson (49) and Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny (19*), helped Thame get up to 128 all out. It was Penny (3-35) and Thompson (2-31) who led with the ball too, but Wolverton always looked likely, as they took the win by 5 wickets. Placed 9th, the team next host 2nd-placed Bicester & North Oxford 3.
Thame 4th XI went to Oxenford 3 and opted to bowl. After a solid opening stand, Shay Reading (3-52) set off a flurry of wickets, with Harshi Wijerathna (2-50) also helping to claw things back for Thame. A swift unbeaten partnership for the 6th wicket pushed the hosts up to 184-5. Wijerathna opened with 40, amidst struggling for support. Rob Kenny hit 27, but the draw was the winner as Thame ended on 113-6. Still at the foot of the table, the 4s go to leaders Aston Rowant 4 next.
On Sunday, Thame Women took on Beaconsfield at Church Meadow. The visitors chose to bat, but Leanne Harris (3-31) got Thame off to a flyer, removing 3 of the top 4 cheaply. Helena Purushothaman (4-9) ripped through the rest of the order, as Beaconsfield were all out for just 79. At 8-5, Thame were in deep trouble. Megs Woodward (34*) steadied the ship and took Thame to a 4 wicket win! Placed 6th out of 8, the team go to leaders Oxford next.
Dinny Malan and Alex Tervet starred in an important win for the 1st XI
