1s bounce back against Brickhill
A dominant performance from Thame 1st XI saw them bounce back from consecutive defeats with a convincing 9 wicket victory over struggling Great Brickhill. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Brickhill innings showed early promise as opener Mark Nelson smashed his way to 56 off just 67 balls. However, once he fell as one of three victims for Hassam Mushtaq, the innings folded rather dramatically. Andy Russell returned outstanding figures of 10 overs 3-14 as Brickhill were ruthlessly dismantled for just 143.
Any thoughts of a nervy chase were immediately set aside by the Thame openers Callum Russell and Will Sutcliffe (pictured above). Russell, on his league debut, showed great timing and placement in a very well constructed 52 before he was the only Thame wicket to fall. By that point, Thame had already raced on to 113-1 inside 20 overs. Sutcliffe boomed 5 huge sixes in his powerful 78 not out off just 61 balls as Thame cruised to victory in just 23 overs.
Thame will look to build on this momentum when they make the long journey to Shipton next Saturday.
2s lose away at the league leaders
Thame Town 2nd XI knew they would be in for a tricky game in their away fixture at Minster Lovell, who won the top Oxfordshire Cricket Association league last year to get promoted into Cherwell Division 4. After winning the toss and electing to field, Thame got off to a promising start, with openers Chris Jeffcock and Matt Furness each taking wickets. Despite excellent bowling from George Patey (66-4, pictured right) and Matt Ridgway (37-2), wickets in hand meant that Minster Lovell could accelerate up to 235 from their allotted overs.
Thame never really got going in response, with only James Nielson (39) managing to reach a respectable score. Thame were bowled out for 93.
The 2nd XI are looking to bounce back at home against Shipton-under-Wynchwood next week.
Agonising defeat for the 3s
Thame 3’s lost away to Tiddington 3’s in a close and competitive match. Asked to bat first Thame posted 151 thanks largely to Ian Chappell (39) and Guy Holmes (66, pictured below) in blustery conditions.
In reply Tiddington got off to a flyer scoring 50 inside 8 overs before being pegged back to 80 for 6 with Pete Tervet taking 4 wickets for 45 and Vim Desai taking 3-41. However, the home side studiously stuck to their task, thanks to Jamie Bates’ 33 not out, and managed to snatch victory with 2 wickets to spare and only 2 overs left. This left Thame heart broken and Tiddington now top of the league.
The 3rd XI look to get their first victory of the season against Challow & Childrey at Lord Williams’ Upper School next week.
Sunday Friendly
Thame XI hosted Fulwood & Broughton CC at Church Meadow on Sunday. F&B amassed 191 in 35 overs. Thame’s opening bowlers, Lewis Ludlam and Tynan Crockett, took a wicket each; there were also wickets for Chris Penny (4-38), Racquets own Simon Martin and Adam Phippen, who bowled “at the death”.
Thame’s chase was led by Harry Thomas and Callum Guest, who was first out for 46. There were good contributions from Ben Griffiths and Matt Swain, who was unluckily run out. Thomas was out in the last over for 73, and Thame fell just 4 short in a gripping finish.
