Week 10 of the league season and Thame 1st XI headed to Gerrards Cross, lost the toss and batted. In a rain affected game, Ubaid Kiani opened with a steady 54, before Alex Browne smashed 130 from just 94 balls. It was raining sixes from Browne’s bat as he hit 11 maximums in total, to help Thame post 245-5 from the reduced 43 overs. Needing 10 wickets for the win in just 37 overs, Dinushka Malan (3-52) set about this mission. All bowlers contributed in a valiant effort, but the draw always looked most likely, and it proved with Gerrards Cross 8 down, 42 runs short at the end. Thame took 14 points and, sitting 8th, host 4th Amersham next.
The 2s also arrived to a rainy scene at home to East Oxford 2. After losing the toss and bowling, it was simply the Ben Warwick show. The pace bowler took an amazing 9-46 from 13.4 overs, to have the visitors all out for just 96. Young Daniel Fuller took the only other wicket – his first for the 2nd XI. Alex Tervet opened with 34 not out, but Khan’s 6for caused a collapse at the other end to put Thame under pressure. Captain Robbie Jackson stepped up and hit the winning runs, to bring victory by 3 wickets. The 2s move up to 5th place and travel to league-leaders Tetsworth next.
Thame 3s faced Watlington at Lord Williams’ School, lost the toss and batted. Richard Carr opened with 33, but he struggled for partners until young Toby Borgnis (23) helped get the score up to 107 all out. Thame picked up 2 early wickets but a strong 4th wicket partnership took the visitors steadily to the win in the 35th over. Thame managed enough bonus points to move up to 9th and face 2nd place Horspath 4 away next.
The 4th XI also took on Watlington, as they travelled to face their 2nd XI. As is customary, Thame lost the toss and were asked to bat. In form Charlie Anderson opened with 41, but nobody else could add a major contribution as the team fell to 102 all out. Thame applied huge pressure with the ball, with Watlington 1-1 after 6 overs. Wickets continued to fall as Trevor Spindler and Shay Reading took 2 each, but this could not prevent a loss by 4 wickets. The 4s slip to 3rd and have a week off next.
Thame Women took a break from league action as they hosted a 40-over friendly versus the RAF, on Sunday. Thame won the toss and bowled. Ava Gabriele (2-8) and Leanne Harris (2-28) got Thame going, with a Rebecca Hewes run out getting rid of the star batter. Natasha Carter (3-12) then came on and blew the tail away to 121 all out. Thame also lost early wickets, but Harshi Malan (34) and Isabella Kench (24) led a strong recovery. A late collapse nearly caused disaster, but Thame managed to scrape home by just 1 wicket! It’s back to league action next week, as the team face Charlbury at home.
During the week, the Saxons took on ASM Auto Recycling in a T20 friendly. Thame hit 189-4, with Luke Hayes (38), Charlie Anderson (34) and Jordan Lee-Paskin (33) all retiring unbeaten. In reply, ASM could only reach 104-5, thanks largely to our own Adam Bennet‘s 30 (retired) – wickets were shared around! A Thame XI will be heading to Bicester & North Oxford for a T20 friendly on Wednesday 19th.
