14th May 2025
The 2025 season is a go!
It was a busy pre-season for the 1st XI, with warm up matches against Harefield at home and Stoke Green away, both ending in defeat. An impressive win at Oxford in the Home Counties T20 Cup followed, but the Cup quest ended in the next round at Great Brickhill. The opening game of the Home Counties Premier League this past weekend saw Oxford visit Church Meadow. Thame found themselves 21-4 after opting to bat. Captain Hassam Mushtaq (57) and Reshawn Lewis (48) recovered the innings to 215 all out. Thame’s player of the match Lewis (pictured below) got the breakthrough with a run out, and returning overseas pro Dinny Malan took 2-26, but an unbeaten 83 run partnership took Oxford to a 6 wicket win. It’s Gerrard’s Cross away next for the 1st XI.
The 2nd XI‘s warm up match was an epic tie versus Oxford 2s, ending with a run out off the last ball – Pete Tervet out going for the winning run! The team travelled to Bledlow Ridge for the season opener. The hosts chose to bat and, led by Heath’s onslaught of 89 from 32 balls, posted 279-5 – Captain Robbie Jackson(2-35) led the bowling alongside debutant Muhammed Amin (2-48). Plenty of Thame batters got starts, but none could press on. Archie Gardner‘s 29 was the top effort in 211 all out. The 2s host Bletchley next.
This year, the 3rd and 4th XI‘s usual ‘Mashes’ was adapted due to incredible availability; 3 XIs were formed to play 3 15 over matches, starring a good crop of juniors and new faces. The 3s headed to Bicester & North Oxford 3 in the league. New Captain Nick Fullerchose to bat. The returning Guy Holmes, fresh from a ton in a Saxons friendly, scored 63* in Thame’s 195-8. Thame picked up early wickets, but Ali (106*) proved immovable. Sam Ward‘s 3-28 gave hope, but it was an eventual loss by 4 wickets. Buckingham 4 visit next.
Thame 4th XI hosted Aston Rowant 4 at Lord Williams’ School and chose to bowl first. Chris Penny (2-21) started well before Shay Reading took 4-26, including 3 in one incredible over. Penny added a run out as Rowant slumped with 5 lower order ducks to 118 all out. Charlie Anderson opened with 30, but the chase stuttered and fell short on 92-7. The 4s travel to Long Marston 3 next.
The Women’s XI began their league campaign on the previous weekend away to Charlbury. Thame could only manage 88 against a strong side, and lost by 9 wickets. Moving back home this past weekend, the team hosted Oxford, who had former West Indies Captain Stafanie Taylor in their ranks. Choosing to bowl first, Harshi Malan (2-17) picked up where she left off last season as Oxford set 193-8 from the 40 overs. Megs Woodward and Helena Purushothamanboth scored 35 in reply, but struggled for more support in 105 all out. Stony Stratford away awaits our Women’s side next.
