1st XI mark Premier League debut with superb 24 run victory at Finchampstead
After being reduced to 24-4 by some excellent new ball bowling, Thame were indebted to James Adams who added some impetus to the innings with a fluent 46. Adams was supported by skipper Mike Beard (pictured below), who battled hard in a valuable partnership, on a wicket starting to turn sharply. With support from the lower order, Beard upped the anti in the later overs, striking four sixes in the final over to finish on 97 not out and leaving Finchampstead requiring 211 for victory.
Mike Higgs and new signing Kalim Khan both struck in their first overs, but Finchampstead captain Dan Lincoln rebuilt the innings with a well controlled 73. Hassam Mushtaq produced a sublime spell of legspin, his 10 overs costing just 23 runs to see the required rate climb and returning overseas pro Gami Kanishka claimed 4-27 including the key wicket of Lincoln to steer Thame towards victory.
In what threatened to be another nervy finish, Khan and Andy Russell showed excellent skills in the later overs to see Thame home – Finchampstead finishing 186-9. Thame host Henley next weekend.
2s bowlers valiantly defend low target to get opening day win
The second XI welcomed Bletchley to Church Meadow. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Thame got off to a rocky start with the top order all falling cheaply. With the exception of some resistance from David Saunders (26) and Robert Jackson (21), Bletchley’s strong bowling performance was too much for Thame, who ended up on a below-par 119.
In response, Bletchley got off to a flier, scoring 24 off the first two overs alone. However, tight bowling from Matt Ridgway (4-29), impressive catches from George Patey and Robbie Jackson and a run out by Matt Furness all helped to quickly rip through Bletchley’s top order. From then on, Thame became the favourites, with excellent bowling from Alastair Thomas (4-18, picture below) finishing the job off to bowl Bletchley out for only 88 runs.
The second XI hope to build on this first win next week against Brackley.
Thame 3s convincingly beaten by 4 wickets at Tiddington 3s
Fielding 3 debutantes, Thame were put into bat on a pitch with an uncut outfield and struggled to reach 75 all out against some very accurate bowling by J. Bates (5-22) and E. Noble (4-25). The total was at least 30 runs light to be competitive. Thame’s highest scores were by Ian Chappell (25, pictured below) and Nick Fuller (11), with last man Shibu Raman adding 8* on debut.
Tiddington never looked in trouble with opener Dales (36, removed by a sharp catch from the skipper Vimal Desai) and Cashman (21) guiding them home in 27 overs. Some bowling points and 6 consolation wickets were shared around by Raman (2-7), Guy Holmes (2-17), Ian McStay (1-10) and Nick Humphries (1-9). Luke Hayes, on his competitive Mens’ debut, and Neil Smith also bowled tight spells. The 3s will look to come back stronger and fresher against Kingston Bagpuize next week.
NEW 4th XI emphatically start first ever League campaign
With Captain Ed Mather leading the boys on a hot day at Lord Williams’ School, Thame won the toss and put Chearsley 2 into bat on a very difficult wicket.
An early breakthrough came when Lewis Ludlam and keeper Josh Edworthy combined for a run out, after a mix up with the batsmen. The floodgates then opened, with a Rob Kenny (3-8) hat-trick on debut taking out the top and middle order, accompanied by Mather’s 3-12. One of the Captain’s wickets saw an early contender for catch of the season from resident slip fielder, Tim Dabbs, flying away to his right. Dan Constant and Tony Barnes both took wickets on debut, as a young tail saw the Chearsley side bowled out for just 26.
Thame chased down the target in 4.2 overs, with Tim Dabbs (10, pictured below) leading the scoring and the only wicket to fall. It was a resounding 9-wicket win start to what promises to be an exciting season. The 4s travel to Minster Lovell next week.
Positives to take for the Ladies despite close defeat to Chesham
Thame Ladies hosted Chesham Ladies in the first friendly of the season on a sunny day, where temperatures were heading towards 26. A good size crowd saw Chesham win the toss and put Thame into bat.
Openers Mags Lightbody (9) and Sally Brentnall got Thame off to a solid start before Brentnall fell. Mel White joined the fray and pushed on with partnerships of 33 and 19 with Lightbody and Bridget Cooper respectively, before voluntarily retiring on 30. The score and momentum was carried forward by an equally impressive batting display from Sarah Sanderson, who also hit 30 and retired. A positive start to the season from Thame Ladies, reaching 139.
Sally Brentnall (2-16) bowled the Chesham opener on the very first ball of the innings. A strong start by Brentnall continued in her second wicket with a caught and bowled. Sanderson then took it to Chesham, taking 2 quick wickets in her first over, halting Chesham at 37-4. Sanderson (3-18) later returned to take an additional wicket with an impressive one-handed catch off her own bowling. Thame continued to push a stubborn middle order to take a further 2 wickets from Claire Morris (taking another athletic caught and bowled) and Bridget Cooper taking out the middle stump. Eventually, however, Chesham reached the winning total with 2 overs to spare.
Thame welcome back Chesham on the 3rd of June for an anticipated rematch.
