Thame 1st XI hosted Banbury, needing points to be sure of a place in the end of season John Goodman Plate. Banbury, who were also in the mix for a place, won the toss and bowled.
An Ollie Burland (72) and Callum Russell (71*) partnership of 102 helped give Thame a strong start. Once Burland departed at 128-2, Russell batted through as wickets fell at the other end. Thame posted 215-6 from their 40 overs.
At 118-2, Banbury had plenty of wickets in hand to complete the chase, but Thame always kept the required rate up. Hassam Mushtaq (3-29) and Will Rooney (2-22) pegged the visitors back further, as the innings petered out to 188-7.
Thame qualify to face Horspath in the semi-final of the John Goodman Plate next week at Church Meadow.
2s fall short in Tier 2 playoff
After winning Tier 2A, the 2nd XI travelled to Tier 2B winners Brackley, to playoff for the Tier 2 title. Brackley won the toss and bowled.
Thame struggled from the off, and were 6 down before reaching 50. Ben Warwick (19) provided the strongest resistance, striking 3 fours, but Thame fell to 78 all out.
At 27-0, a Brackley win looked inevitable, but in quick succession Luke Hayes (2-14), James McStay (1-12) and 1 of Greg Jenkins’ 3 wickets gave Thame 4 wickets for just 11 runs. Brackley then pulled together before another late flurry of wickets for Jenkins and Rob Johnson, but it was too late as the hosts won by 2 wickets.
Unbeaten 3rd XI win Tier 5 playoff
Thame 3s faced Horspath 4s at Lord Williams’ School, with the Tier 5 title on the line. Captain Vim Desai won the toss, and bowled first.
Rob Tomlin (1-34) and Nick Humphries (2-25) picked up early wickets, with Pete Tervet (1-8 off of 8 overs) keeping it tight. The visitors were indebted to Stead (80*) who stood strong, as Desai (1-25) and Ian McStay (2-31) took wickets around him – Horspath finished on 162-8.
Justin Avery (49) and Manil Subasinghe (27) lead the way for Thame, while the rest of the top order struggled. At 133-7 the game was in the balance, but bowlers McStay and Humphries scored 17* each to take Thame over the line with 21 balls to spare.
The 3s secure the Tier 5 title, without losing a single game!
Unbeaten 4th XI take Tier 6 crown
Thame 4th XI travelled to Bicester & North Oxford 3, needing a win to secure the Tier 6 title. Thame won the toss and opted to bowl.
The decision to bowl first proved a good one, as Rob Kenny (3-9) and Chris Penny (2-19) ripped through the top order. Trevor Spindler then took 2-9 off 8 overs, before Martin Wiles, Dan Constant and Shay Reading took a wicket each to have the hosts all out for 62.
Charlie Anderson (27) and Tim Dabbs (23*) made light work of the chase, taking Thame to the target in 20 overs for the loss of just 3 wickets.
The unbeaten Thame 4s win Tier 6!
Thame’s Women battle to friendly defeat
Thame Women hosted Charlbury in a friendly at Church Meadow on the Sunday. Captain Sarah Sanderson won the toss, and chose to field.
Emily Neighbour impressed for Thame, taking 3 top order wickets for 43 runs. Georgia Fenwick also took a wicket, as Charlbury headed towards an impressive score of 190-4 off 30 overs, with 5 of their batters reaching 30 and retiring.
Thame’s chase got off to a tricky start, losing wickets including several runouts. Beth John (18) top scored dealing mostly in boundaries, but the rest of the innings fell to strong Charlbury bowling – Thame were all out for 107.
Thame Women host Chesham in a friendly next.
Thame Saxons faced Stonor in a friendly on Sunday. Rob Tomlin took 3 wickets and Nick Fuller scored 47, but the Saxons lost by 4 wickets.
The competitive season now finishes for all except the 1st XI, but the action continues for 2 further weeks with friendlies at Church Meadow and Lord Williams’ School.
