1s finish season with defeat to Oxford
After winning an important toss, Oxford got off to a strong start on a dry wicket. They were pegged back by a fine spell of 3-42 by Michael Higgs (pictured above), ably supported by young seamer Jonathan Jelfs who took two key wickets. However the game was taken away from Thame by a fine 72 not out by Shamilal Mendis in the later overs, propelling Oxford to 239-9.
In response, only skipper Beard passed 25 on a sharply turning wicket and, after he was run out, the innings quickly subsided. Thame were all out for just 108.
A disappointing season but plenty to learn from for a young Thame outfit, who go again in the Home Counties Division 2 next year.
2s end promotion season with win
The 2nd XI welcomed Tiddington 2 at Church Meadow. Bowling first, Thame got off to a good start thanks to economical bowling from Thame’s seam attack. This was then followed by wickets from spin bowlers Alastair Thomas (2-29), Daniel Patey (3-56) and Ben Buckland (2-45), leaving Tiddington on a par score of 185.
In response, runs from Matt Furness (27), George Patey (47) and Olly Sutcliffe (35) amongst others meant Thame reached Tiddington’s total quite easily, winning by 4 wickets in the 41st over.
This win was a great way to finish the season for the 2nd XI, who are looking forward to playing in Cherwell Division 3 next season.
3s miss out on the Div 9 title
Having already won promotion, Thame 3s visited league leaders Bletchley Town 2s on a very green looking wicket, hoping to overturn a 12-point deficit and snatch the title. Unfortunately, things did not start well as Thame lost the toss and were asked to bat. The 3s started well, but with regular wickets they could only manage a below par 163-8 before a tactical declaration was made to stop Bletchley getting any more bonus bowling points. The Thame innings was gelled together by a chanceless innings by Andy Jinman (74, pictured below) and support from Guy Holmes (25).
The Bletchley reply started with a mixed style opening combo of stubborn boring Boycott-esque batting and aggressive shot-making. This partnership was eventually broken with the introduction of spinner Tim Hester (4-36), who also combined well with Keeper Paddy Harris for a sharp stumping. At the half way stage things were evenly posed but unfortunately, the skipper Vim Desai, having taken a straight forward catch off the bowling of Ian McStay, then fell to the floor in severe pain. With only 10 men on the pitch and only one more wicket, the game began to drift away from Thame. Bletchley finally secured a 4-wicket victory with some late blows.
With both sides in div 8. Thame will be seeking revenge next year!
4s finish first season in 5th place
Thame 4’s took on Westbury at home for the final game of their inaugural season. After winning the toss, Thame put the visitors into bat and were soon put under pressure by some positive batting, resulting in a quickfire 40 runs off the first 4 overs. First bowling change produced immediate dividends with Ed Mather (4-39) taking a wicket with his first ball! Supporting Mather was Neil Smith, who also took 4 wickets, for 40. The visitors’ runs dried up and Thame were on top at 120-8 but then a late flurry of runs got Westbury up to a challenging target of 163.
In response, Thame were immediately on the back foot, losing both openers in the first 2 overs and struggling to get runs on the board. Neil Smith dug in to start to make a challenge on the Westbury target and was helped by Junior debutant Drew Murray (8) and Danny Thompson (16). Unfortunately, the wickets continued to fall around Smith (68*) leaving Thame 56 runs adrift of the Westbury target.
Thame eventually bagged an important 11 points and secured a highly respectable 5th in their first season in the Cherwell League.
Thame Women clinch victory in nail-biting last over!
Having lost to Chesham in 2 friendlies at the start of the season, Thame tested their progress in another friendly against them on Sunday. On a very bouncy outfield, Thame did well to prevent more boundaries disappearing into the undergrowth, Cate Teideman in particular giving a great performance throwing herself onto the hard ground on numerous occasions to spectacular effect. Fielding first, Thame’s wickets came from Sarah Sanderson (2-25), Sally Brentnall (1-14) and Sally Surman (1-9), on top of 3 run-outs, leaving the hosts at 173-7 off 30 overs.
In reply, Thame produced great runs from the stalwart batters – notably, Mel White with her first half-century (52 retired), Beth John with 40, and Sanderson and Clarke producing the 4 needed to win in the last over. However new talent was also seen at the crease with Vicky Shaw producing a fine 30 runs, in doing so more than doubling her season’s total! Thame won by 7 wickets.
The season doesn’t finish the team, as they face Maidenhead & Bray this Sunday.
