All 4 Saturday teams took to the field this past weekend, after a third washout of the season the weekend prior! But first; since our last roundup, the 1st XI faced Witney Swifts in The Wilf Bennett T20 semi-final. Dinushka Malan hit 64 as Thame set 159-6. Thomas Wyatt (3-16) starred with the ball, to have Witney 94 all out. Thame play Henley in the final at Wormsley on Sunday 17th September – support will be very much welcome!
With Saturday Leagues back to win-lose cricket for the remainder of the season, the 1st XI hosted Buckingham Town at Church Meadow. After losing the toss and batting, Farid Butt opened with a swift 36. Alex Browne blasted 69 from 36 balls (including six 6s), before a cluster of wickets put the brakes on, but thankfully the tail wagged and got Thame to 233 all out in the 48th over. Thame chipped away at the wickets, while the visitors kept up with the rate. Captain Hassam Mushtaq (3-46) again led the bowling, but needing a run a ball with 50 to go and 5 wickets down, Koop (77) took the visitors home. In a tight middle to lower table, Thame are 7th and next head to Oxford, who are 1 point ahead.
The 2nd XI travelled to Westbury 2, won the toss and bowled. Thame picked up wickets at regular intervals to have the hosts 90-4. Robin Sutcliffe came on and put Thame fully in command with a superb 5-22, while David Hewes took 6 catches behind the stumps. The hosts were all out for 130 in just 33 overs. In response, Alex Tervet opened with 57 not out in a strong opening partnership with Hewes (36). Thame lost 3 wickets, but victory was never in doubt, coming by 7 wickets in the 31st over. Thame move up to 3rd, with promotion still possible. They host 8th-placed Dinton 2 next.
Thame 3s headed to Long Marston 2. Desperately needing a win to aid survival hopes, Thame won the toss and batted. Paddy Harris (42) lead from the top, while several of the middle order got starts. Youngster Daniel Fuller (26) batted well, before Thame added an important 18 runs for the final wicket to post 168. Early wickets fell and Thame continued to peg back Long Marston, Zara Wyatt (3-31) starring, to put Thame slightly on top with the score 100-6. At 145-7, Thame looked to have blown it, however, a Harshi Malan run out and Daniel Fuller (3-19) castling 10 and 11 gave Thame a superb victory! The 3s are 20 points from safety and host 5th Bletchley Town 2 next.
The 4th XI hosted Dinton 3 at Lord Williams’ School and chose to bowl after winning the toss. Trevor Spindler (2-7) and Ed Mather (2-27) put Thame in the ascendency with 3 of the top 6 departing without scoring. Young Daniel Tervet (4-21) cleaned up the tail, as Dinton posted 98. Tervet (27*) opened and again impressed, supporting the ever in-form Charlie Anderson (57*), to give Thame a 10 wicket victory! Still 3rd, the 4s travel to lowly Tiddington 4 next.
After a planned week off last week, Thame Women travelled to Henley, lost the toss and bowled. Tilly Roy‘s 3-42 stood out among all bowlers contributing, and Thame were relatively happy with Henley at 106-6. From there, Henley rallied well to post 188-8 from the 40 overs. With the bat, things started badly with both openers out for ducks, and the innings never got going from there as Thame fell to 48 all out. The team sit 5th with 2 games to go, but are not completely safe from relegation just yet! They host 8th-placed Finchampstead next.
