Week 11 of Men’s League cricket and the 1st XI travelled to Chesham, won the toss and bowled. Dinushka Malan took an early wicket, before a strong 2nd wicket partnership. Malan (4-39) and skipper Hassam Mushtaq (4-69) then got through the middle order, as the hosts ended on 206 all out. Facing an opening bowler scarily named ‘James Anderson’, Thame were struggling at 18-3. From there, a superb knock of 116* from Malan, supported by Kashif Nizami (50*) in a 189 run partnership, led The Meadowmen to a resounding victory by 3 wickets. Thame are now 4th in a tight mid-table, and host 7th-placed Horspath next.
Thame 2nd XI welcomed Leighton Buzzard to Church Meadow, and after losing the toss, bowled. Pete Tervet (2-65) added more wickets to his collection and the innings was even at 98-4. Whatmore took charge from there with 138* for Buzzard, who were able to declare on 312-5 from 46 overs. David Hewes opened up with 40 in reply, but the rest of the top order struggled. Dave Saunders struck 48* batting at 7, but Thame could never get the chase going and were 158 all out. The 2s stay 8th and next up travel to Oxenford, who are 6th.
The 3s also faced Leighton Buzzard, taking on their 2nd XI, away. Thame won the toss and bowled, but it was a tough day from there; Burfoot’s 101* helped Buzzard declare on 268-3 off 41 overs. Captain Chris ‘Winkle’ Penny registered Thame’s best figures with 1-46. In reply, Thame were in real trouble at 6-4, with only Paddy Harris (32) making a mark. Young Daniel Fuller again impressed with 18*, to add to his wicket earlier, before they were all out for 82. Looking for that elusive first win, the 3s next host Marsh Gibbon, who sit just above the relegation zone.
Thame 4s hosted Risinghurst 2, lost the toss, and were asked to bat. Zed Khan (27) and Adithya Burgadda (24) got Thame to 50 before the loss of the 2nd wicket, but after that wickets fell at regular intervals as Thame mustered 114, all out in the 40th over. Defending a fairly low total, Trevor Spindler took 2-25, however Risinghurst were able to cruise home by 6 wickets in the 27th over. The 4s stay 8th, 1 place above the drop zone, and go to 2nd-placed Fringford next week.
On Sunday, Thame Women faced a top-of-the-table clash versus Ballinger Waggoners at Church Meadow. After winning the toss, Thame bowled. It was a good weekend for the Malans, as Harshani Malan took an early wicket on her way to 2-6. Ava Gabriele and Sally Brentnall also took 2 each, as a strong bowling performance all round saw the Waggoners all out for 99. Cath Hawkes (23) opened, before Malan struck 30 to take Thame most of the way. The team reached the target 4 wickets down in just the 15th over, to extend their record to an incredible 5 wins from 5 at the top of the Home Counties Women’s Premier League table. Now half way through the league season, 4th-placed Cookham Dean visit Church Meadow next Sunday.
