1st XI secure excellent win after shaky start
The 1st XI travelled to Chesham last Saturday, who were promoted last season and sat a few points above them in Division 2. Thame didn’t start well losing regular wickets and at lunch were 99-5, with Gamindu Kanishka (32) the only player to score above 30. After lunch, good contributions from Mushtaq, Phippen and Jeffcock, combined with a determined and well-paced 60 not out from James Adams (pictured right) meant that Thame got up to a morale boosting 203 off their 58 overs.
In reply, Chesham started well and were comfortable at 36-0, after the Chesham opening batsmen was dropped in the first over. Thame then took the game to the hosts and didn’t allow Chesham to build another partnership. Will Rooney (3-17) and Chris Jeffcock (3-20) ripped through the top order, with a helping hand from Will Sutcliffe who took 4 catches at slip, one being arguably the catch of the season diving down to his right. This left Adam Phippen to clean up the tail with figures of 3-13, causing Chesham to collapse from 36-0 to 99 all out inside 30 overs. This handed Thame their 4th win of the season, and moved them up to 3rd place in Division 2.
Thame entertain Reading this Saturday at home, looking to carry on their good form.
2s finding their stride with 2nd win
On a very sunny Saturday, Thame 2nd XI welcomed Horspath’s 3rd XI to Church Meadow. Despite winning the toss and electing to bat first, Horspath failed to gain momentum throughout their innings. Amongst the most successful bowlers were Sam Lachlan (3-29) and George Patey (3-34), who helped to bowl Horspath out for 105. Matt Furness, Ali Thomas and Chris Penny also picked up 1 wicket each.
In response, Thame made a short game of it and knocked off Horspath’s total in just 16.1 overs, with 9 wickets remaining. The runs came from George Patey (38*, pictured below) and Matt Furness (47*).
Thame’s 2nd XI travel to Brackley next Saturday, searching for their third win in a row.
3s make it 3 wins in a row
Thame 3s extended their winning streak to 3 in a row with a crushing 161 run win against Oxford Bletchingdon Nondescripts 3 (OBN3) at home. Thame, having won the toss, asked OBN3 to field on a hot day. Andy Jinman (pictured left) starred with an aggressive 69 and with the help of fellow opener Ian Chappell (31) they shared an opening partnership of 81. Andy and debutant Shakeel Khan (58) further punished the now wilting OBN3 with a further 67 run partnership. Shakeel and Vimal Desai (25) then piled on even further misery with a partnership of 58. The innings concluded with some free hitting from Paddy Harris (30*) and Tim Dabbs (15*) to ensure a sizeable total of 257-4 after 45 overs.
In reply, OBN3 lost early wickets and were in difficultly at 12-4 after only 9 overs but then offered some defensive resilience for a short spell. Thame’s total of 257 was never at risk though, and with some regular bowling changes by skipper Vimal, on a swelteringly hot day, OBN3 were bowled out for 96 in 33 overs. The bowling honours were shared around; Ed Mather and Jordan Lee-Paskin took 1 each, while Vimal, Lewis Ludlam and Pete Higson each claimed 2 wickets.
Thame 3’s remain in 3rd place in the table but continue to reduce the points deficit on leaders Oxford Downs 3s who they are yet to play.