Unbeaten Thame 4th XI travelled to Dinton 3’s incredibly low-scoring ground and were asked to bat. Thame’s batters did struggle to get going, but Tim Airstone‘s 41* held the innings together and, with generous extras, Thame boldly declared on 115-7 (a score much higher than any previous score there this season). With the ball, Thame dominated. Trevor Spindler took 4-7, including 3 of the top 4 for ducks, before Ed Mather came on to take 4 wickets in his first over! This was on the way to a memorable 5-19 for Mather. The 32-run win means the 4s stay 3rd, 6 points from the top. They take on 8th-placed Tiddington 4 next.
The 1st XI were away to Buckingham Town and were also asked to bat. Young Josh Towell made the step up after performing so well for the 2s and settled in well, scoring 23 in a 50 stand with Austin John (25). Another school boy, Luke Hayes (who added another 50 for Oxfordshire on Sunday), again batted impressively for 43 in the middle order with Hassam Mushtaq (55) and Dinny Malan (31). But no batters could push any further, as Thame were all out for 239. It was then another tough stint in the field, as the top 3 all scored 60+. Jonathon Jelfs got a runout and the only other wicket, as Thame lost by 8 wickets. The team slip to 9th and host 7th Oxford next.
Thame 2s were at to home Westbury 2 and were invited to bat. Thame lost the top order cheaply, before James McStay (33) and Jake Wilkinson (33) were the leaders of a middle order revival, to get the score up to 195 all out. A strong opening stand for Westbury set them on the way. Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny and Wilkinson took 2 wickets each, but the visitors were able to get home in the 40th over by 4 wickets. The 2s are 6th and travel to 9th Dinton 2 next.
The 3s completed the set as they also lost the toss and were asked to bat, at home to Long Marston 2. Zach Harris (50) scored his maiden senior half-century for Thame, opening the batting alongside proud father Paddy Harris. 40 from ‘Pistol’ Pete Higson was the next strongest effort as Thame posted 158 all out. ‘Pistol’ then took 2-30 too, but a solid opening partnership had laid the foundations for a 7 wicket win for the Long Marston. Thame are 9th and head to 2nd-placed Bletchley Town 2 next.
Thame’s Women had a well-deserved week off after multiple multi-match weekends in recent weeks. They start their Home Counties Women’s Premier League campaign at home to Moreton this Sunday.
On Wednesday, a Saxons side won by 2 wickets in a T20 against Cairns Fudge at Church Meadow. Shay Reading took 5-31 as Cairns Fudge were all out for 133. The Saxons knocked them off in 16 overs – Luke Hayes (38) and Tim Dabbs (30) both retiring. More T20 fun of the like is to follow in the coming weeks, including versus CPM, ASM and J Bennett’s Insurance!
Zac Harris scored his first senior 50 for the Men’s 3rd XI (Photo by Clare Harris)
Saxons v Cairns Fudge T20
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