Finally, some cricket to write about! It’s been a frustrating start to the season; rain has meant that the Men’s League season openers were all abandoned last week, while the club were unable to have a single Men’s friendly prior. The only action came in a T20 defeat for the 1st XI against Oxford, and in a hastily arranged friendly for a mixed XI last Sunday. Meanwhile, the Women’s squad had a little more time on field; winning a Super 8s friendly against Horspath and losing out in the T20 Cup at Royal Wootton Bassett.
The 1st XI travelled to Amersham, where a wet outfield delayed the start and reduced the match to 41 overs each. After being asked to bat, Thame limped to 69-5, before Luke Hayes (30) provided some resistance. Last year’s Batting Award winner Alex Browne then smashed 72 off 51 balls (including 7 sixes), accompanied by Captain Hassam Mushtaq (31), to get the total up to 200-9. Amersham started aggressively but lost early wickets, with debutant Brad Watson taking 3-20. However, dropped catches and 71 from Payne took Amersham home by 4 wickets with only 5 balls remaining. Thame host Cumnor next.
Thame 2s took on Tetsworth at Church Meadow, lost the toss and bowled. The visitors were sitting strong at 201-4, when the superb Josh Towell (5-54) and Jake Wilkinson (3-35) caused a collapse to 233 all out. In the chase, Thame lost wickets regularly. James McStay (44) top-scored batting at 8, and he was the last out as Thame fell 45 runs short. The 2s take a healthy 11 bonus points from the loss, and next head to Great Norwood.
The 3s hosted Horspath 4 at Lord Williams’ Upper School. After winning the toss and bowling, Horspath put on 152 for the first wicket which fell to Zac Harris (3-33). The visitors went on to post 200-6 from their 45 overs. Thame lost early wickets and never got going in their innings – Zach Harris top scored with 22, as the team ended all out for 93. Next week, the 3rd XI are away to Great Brickhill 3.
The 4th XI had their scheduled week off from league action, so took on Binfield in a friendly. Binfield were restricted to 127, with Will Littlewood, Harshi Malan and Shay Reading taking 3 wickets each. Tim Dabbs (44) and Malan (35) then combined to take Thame most of the way to a win by 4 wickets. The 4s host Leighton Buzzard 3 next week.
Thame Women hosted Chesham in the Super 8s (the format where teams start with 200, bat in pairs and lose runs for every wicket lost) and Actonians in a traditional friendly on the same day. Abbott’s Langely forfeited a 2nd Super 8s fixture. In the Chesham match, Thame bowled very well, taking 6 wickets to give the visitors a below par net score of 222 – Sally Brentnall took 2 wickets. Captain Sarah Sanderson (17) and Natasha Carter (12) both went undefeated on the way to a net score of 267 to get the Super 8s off to a flyer! Against Actonians, Thame posted 111, thanks largely to the brilliant Harshi Malan (62no). Bridget Cooper and Leanne Harris took 2 wickets each, as the visitors fell all out for 64 to give Thame another win! Next week, it’s more Super 8s action away at St Albans.
Photo by Simon Bradford
Main Sponsors
Twitter: @thamecricket – Facebook: Thame Cricket Club – Instagram: @thamecricket