This week marked half way in the men’s leagues. Thame 4th XI hosted Waddesdon 3, and were asked to bat after once again losing the toss. Charlie Anderson carried his bat, scoring a superb 105 not out. He was supported in the main by impressive youngster Dan Tervet (45), as Thame declared on 212-6. Trevor Spindler got early wickets and was on a mission; one he incredibly achieved with 5-11, including the match winning wicket, to take him to 1000 in the Cherwell League! Ed Mather (3-12) did the damage at the other end, as the visitors were 49 all out. The 4s are 2nd by just 3 points and go to 6th placed Watlington 2 next.
The 3s were away to Buckingham 4, lost the toss and batted. Plenty of batters got starts but nobody pushed on until Danny Thompson, batting at 10, struck 42 not out. Helped by a wealth of extras, Thame got up to 204-9. Daniel Fuller and Nick Humphries got 2 wickets each to get the top 4, but the chase was looking tight. It was then Harshi Malan (5-64) who again bowled brilliantly, breaking key partnerships to give Thame the win by just 11 runs! Still bottom, but only 5 points from safety, the 3s host 2nd placed Watlington next.
After a resounding win in the midweek T20 versus Eynsham (Alex Browne 74 from 27), the 1st XI hosted Horspath and were invited to bowl. Horspath batters all got good starts, but Thame always took them out before they could cause too much damage. Skipper Hassam Mushtaq spun his way to 4-68, as the visitors posted 215-9. Luke Hayes (62) added yet another 50 to his collection, but after his demise wickets fell quickly, leaving the tail to see off the final few overs to get the draw, 42 runs short with 1 wicket remaining. Taking 14 points, the team are 7th in a tight bottom half and go to promotion-chasing Gerrard’s Cross next.
Thame 2s headed down the road to Tiddington 2 and chose to bat. Rafe Dickie (46) and a returning Adam Phippen (44) opened strongly, before Christian Warwick‘s fine 60 at 3. But after that, Thame stuttered to 207-9. Young Thomas Wyatt (4-36) made an early breakthrough, but at 127-4 the game was in the balance. Wyatt and Phippen (4-74) continued to pick up key wickets to halt the chase effort, with the game ending in a draw. Thame take 12 points, stay 6th and host 5th placed East Oxford 2 next.
On Sunday, Thame Women travelled to Binfield, won the toss and bowled. It was a tough afternoon in the field; Binfield put on 226 for the first wicket with Tulloch scoring 167. Natasha Carter (2-50) was the pick of bowlers as late wickets fell, in a total of 256-5 from the 40 overs. Harshi Malan (86) led the chase, supported mainly by Megs Woodward (28) in a 76 partnership, but the required rate was ever demanding! Thame ended 6 down, 64 runs short on 192 in a solid effort against a strong side. Sitting in mid-table, the team host the RAF in a friendly next Sunday.
