Half way through the league season now and Thame 1s headed to Horspath, won the toss and batted. Evan Cowley (40) opened but struggled for partners. At 103-9, Captain Hassam Mushtaq (40) and Foa Fasanya (13*) fought for over an hour for a 64 run partnership, pushing Thame to 167 all out. Dinny Malan (7-38) was superb with the ball once more, putting Thame in charge. The mid to lower order gave Horspath some hope, but Mushtaq (3-30) got Thame the win by 27 runs. Rising to 6th, the 1st XI host leaders Wargrave next.
The 2nd XI hosted Bletchley Town, won the toss and batted. James Neilson (63) and Harry Thomas (42) set Thame up, before Oli Sutcliffe‘s 67 from 50 propelled Thame up to declare on 268-9. Archie Gardner (3-26) and Tom Wyatt (2-24) had the visitors 57-5, and they never recovered as Muhammad Amin (3-14) and Jeremy Batty (2-14) spun them all out for 87. Another big win takes Thame up to 4th, and they go to leaders Bledlow Ridge next.
Thame 3rd XI were down the road at Chinnor 2 and were put into bat. Adam Culley (92*) batted through and Kulveer Singh hit 44 later on as Thame posted 222-5. Aaron Watson (3-43) and Nick Humphries (2-10) had Chinnor in trouble early at 22-3, and the hosts never looked like threatening the target as the game ended in a draw at 140-6. Placed 5th, the 3s host bottom side Steventon 2 next.
At Lord Williams’ School, the 4s took on Chearsley 3, won the toss and bowled. Trevor Spindler took a brilliant 5-8, backed up by Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny and Ben Batty, who took 2 apiece in 82 all out. For the second week in a row, Thame chased the target down for the loss of just 1 wicket – Charlie Anderson (33*) and Nicholas Fuller (30*) brought it home. Sitting 2nd, the team go to 9th Watlington 2 next.
With incredible availability this week, a 5th XI friendly was arranged against Wendover, at Monks Risborough. Thame lost by 74 runs – Harshi Wijerathna picked up 3-16 and Cameron Clark top scored with 28 as Thame were all out for 130. On the Sunday, Thame Saxons also faced a Wendover side, winning by 5 wickets. Alex Tervet took 3-15, then youngsters Sam Holmes (55) and Daniel Tervet (53 retired) both hit half centuries in the successful chase!
Thame Women‘s match against Moreton was cancelled due to the opposition’s progression in the T20 Cup, but the Ickenham sixes softball tournament provided some cricketing action! It’s a big match on Sunday, as the team go to bottom side Binfield, looking to further push themselves away from relegation danger!
