After last Saturday’s washout, conditions were much better for our 4 teams this Saturday. The 1st XI hosted Chesham at Church Meadow, won the toss and batted. Ubaid Kiani (68) led the top order with yet another half-centrury, before a middle order wobble. Will Feeney smashed 66 off just 42 balls (including 7 sixes) at 9, supported by Skipper Hassam Mushtaq‘s run-a-ball 38, to rocket Thame up to 283 all out. Chesham’s openers did not stick around long, but threat came with former South Africa international Richard Levi going strong. Jonathon Jelfs (2-38) removed Levi, before Mushtaq ripped through with 4-69 to leave the visitors on 196-7. From there, Chesham were unlikely to win and got the draw, 8 down. Thame take 15 points, sit 7th in the table and go to leaders Great Brickhill next in the league. On Tuesday 1st August the team go to Witney for a T20, with the Wormsley Estate finals day on the line!
The 2nd XI were away at local rivals Chearsley. After winning the toss Thame batted. The returning James Nielson opened with 57, however, Thame later collapsed from 100-2 to 108-6. Lower order resistance, led by Chairman Pete Tervet (26), recovered Thame to 182 all out. Skipper Robbie Jackson opened the bowling with 2-41, but Chearsley were in a similarly strong position at 100-3. James Dack (3-13) and Ian McStay (2-16) then came on and blitzed through the Chearsley order to have them 164 all out – a brilliant fightback from The Meadowmen. the 2s move up to 5th and next host 2nd from bottom Stokenchurch.
The start of the school Summer Holidays brought about a tough week of availability for the 3s and 4s! The 3rd XI travelled to Garsington 2, won the toss and batted. It was a day to forget with the bat – Yuvraj Singh (not that one) took 8-8 as Thame were 41 all out. Trevor Spindler took the only wicket as Garsington reached the target in 14 overs. Adrift at the bottom and needing wins, the 3s are home to 3rd place Fringford next. The 4s hosted Chearlsey 2, lost the toss and were asked to bat. Harshi Malan opened with 20, but this proved to be top score, as Thame fell all out for 70. Chearsley reached the target without the loss of a wicket in the 18th over. Thame are 3rd, now falling to over 50 points behind Chearsley, and face 7th Long Marston 3 next.
Sunday’s Women‘s match versus Stony Stratford got under way, but was sadly abandoned for rain with Thame on 46-2. Placed 6th place, the team have a weekend off next week.
