The Men’s League cricket season started on Saturday 8th May, however the cricketing God’s had other ideas with rain sweeping across the country. Many games fell foul to the conditions, including the 1st XI who were due to host Banbury at Church Meadow.
Thankfully the 2nd XI match was on away to East Oxford, despite the horrible conditions. Batting First, Thame were indebted to Dan Patey, batting at 10, whose 44 bolstered the score to 172-9. Ben Warwick took 4-24, including a triple-wicket maiden, ripping through the middle order to put Thame in control, eventually winning by 62 runs.
Thame 3s braved the wind and travelled to West Ilsley. Justin Avery opened up with 86, ably supported in the middle order by Jordan Lee-Paskin (62), leading Thame to an impressive 225 all out. In the second innings, the game looked in the balance before Ian McStay‘s brilliant 6-18 (originally credited to son James on the League website) tore through the hosts and made victory inevitable, in the end by 74 runs.
At a blustery Lord Williams’ School, the 4th XI hosted Bledlow Ridge 2, and after putting them in were under the cosh from a strong 2nd wicket partnership. Shay Reading‘s 2-30 fought back for Thame, but the visitors racked up a strong 211-5. Thame’s batsmen all got starts, but the rate was always increasing and Rob Kenny‘s entertaining 33 couldn’t see Thame home, ending on 179 all out.
On Sunday, Thame Women continued their Super 8s campaign with 2 matches away to Chesham. Both matches in the 4-over pairs format were close contests; Chesham won the first by match 2 runs as the batting pair of Captain Sarah Sanderson and Zara Wyatt hit a net score of 23 in vain. Thame won the 2nd by 7 runs, with Vicky Shaw and Isabella Kench top-scoring with 16 apiece in an improved net score of 289.
The Saxons hosted Ascott-Under-Wychwood, and losing the toss bowled first. The visitors got 131-8 from their 35 overs; Luke Hayes, Danny Thompson & Pete Higson took 2 wickets each. Hayes‘ half-century, followed by Tom Dehaan‘s quickfire 20odd, took the Saxons to victory by 6 wickets with overs to spare.
