We are well and truly into the business end of the season now, with plenty still at stake for all our teams! Thame 1s travelled to Oxford, with the hosts 1 point ahead going into the match. After being invited to bowl, Dinny Malan removed 4 of the top 5 on his way to a fantastic 5 wicket haul (5-32). Captain Hassam Mushtaq (4-49) added more wickets to his growing tally, as Oxford struggled to 154 all out. Farid Butt (42) again opened strongly, before Luke Hayes (recent ton-scorer on debut for Sussex U18s) and Malan both scored 34 not out to get Thame an important win! Thame shoot up to 5th, with HCPCL status secure for another year, and face promotion hopefuls Oxford Downs at Church Meadow next.
Fresh from their team photo, the 2nd XI hosted Dinton 2 and bowled after losing the toss. Ben Warwick removed the openers on his way to 3-9 from 10 overs, in a pace spell alongside Captain Robbie Jackson. The skipper ripped through the middle order with 5-29, to have the visitors all out for just 60. Christian Warwick (26*) and David Hewes (17*) made light work of the chase, giving Thame a 10 wicket win in just the 14th over. The 2s head for a huge match away at Aston Rowant 3 next weekend. The team are in 3rd, 26 points behind Rowant, so will need a big win to have a chance at promotion!
With hopes of Division 6A survival, the 3s hosted Bletchley Town 2, won the toss and bowled. Thame made early inroads and continued to take wickets, led by Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny‘s 4-23. Jordan Lee-Paskin took 2-12 late on as all bowlers contributed, to have the visitors all out for 124. Paddy Harris (40) again top-scored, opening with son Zach Harris (23) to lay a solid foundation in the chase. Mitchum Felix (23*) helped see Thame over the line by 7 wickets in quick time in the 28th over. Other teams down the bottom also won, but Thame have given themselves a chance of the great escape. 20 points from safety at the bottom, the 3s travel to Bledlow Ridge 2 next, with a chance to drag them into the scrap for survival.
The 4th XI fixture away at Tiddington 4 was sadly forfeited by Tiddington. The default win keeps the 4s comfortably in 3rd, needing a win at home to leaders Chalgrove next week to keep hopes of 2nd place alive.
Thame Women hosted Finchampstead at Church Meadow on the Sunday and after winning the toss, asked the visitors to bat. Leanne Harris picked up 2-27 opening the bowling, as the visitors reached 50-3. From there, Ava Gabriele starred for Thame, taking a brilliant 5-25 to topple Finchampstead for just 73. Harshi Malan (28*) and Victoria Gledhill (16) took Thame most of the way to the target in a strong 2nd wicket partnership. A late flurry of wickets did not matter, as Thame won by 5 wickets in the end. The win means Thame are now 21 points clear of the drop zone with 1 match to go, and are in a good position to secure Premier Division status! Next weekend sees the Women’s Softball Festival at the club, on the bank holiday Monday!
