This week, we start with Sunday, as Thame Women needed just 2 points to win the title! On a hot weekend, the team travelled to Ballinger Waggoners, won the toss and batted. Several Thame batters got starts, but it was Harshani Malan (41) who made the biggest impression, leading Thame to 135-7 from the 30 overs against a much improved Waggoners side. The hosts started strongly in reply before Malan removed both openers, but Ballinger were most of the way to the target and won in the 24th over, handing Thame a first defeat after 9 games. However, Thame clocked up more than enough bonus points and that confirms the Home Counties League Division 2 South title!!! Captain Sarah Sanderson had this to say: ‘The commitment and energy that every player brings week after week is inspiring and infectious. Every single player has contributed to the position we are in. We aren’t relaxing quite yet though…we are looking ahead and preparing for the challenge of our upcoming knockout games to secure a spot in division 1 for next season!”. Thame finish the league season at home to Wargrave, before the playoffs commence.
On the Saturday, the Men’s 1st XI travelled to promotion-chasing Wargrave, lost the toss and bowled. The Meadowmen picked up early wickets, but a strong 4th wicket partnership gave Wargrave impetus. Captain Hassam Mushtaq broke the partnership, spinning his way to 5-41, and accompanied by Jonathan Jelfs (3-38), Wargrave fell from 128-3 to 198 all out. It was a solid start in reply, led by opener Michael Beard (43) and added to by Luke Hayes (51) at 3. This enabled Thame to cruise home by 5 wickets in the 44th over. Thame are now 6th in a tight mid to lower table, and will host league-leaders Horspath next.
Thame 2s hosted 2nd-placed Bletchley Town, lost the toss and batted. Sam Cheetham (63) opened in a good start, before the innings wobbled. Greg Jenkins (69*) and Dan Patey (41) helped rebuild, and Thame posted 268-8. Bletchley’s innings was a rollercoaster; after losing the openers for ducks, a 181 partnership followed, before a flurry of wickets left them 8 down still 50 short. Bletchley edged closer, needing 8 from the last over. Thame got the 9th wicket and it was down to 1 run needed to win from the last ball, which Bletchley scraped with a single, to leave Thame gutted. Jenkins and Cheetham took 2 wickets each, in a great effort by the team. 13 bonus points leave the 2s not far adrift in 9th, and they next face 8th-placed Wolverton away in a relegation clash.
The 3rds headed to Wolverton 2s, won the toss and batted. Dave Hewes (45) lead a patient opening stand of 66, as Wolverton toiled. The spinners came on to a friendly track and, combined with Thame looking to pick up the run rate, wickets fell. Zed Khan added a fluent 26 and Thame finished on 161-8. Wolverton showed their intentions, hitting a 6 off the first ball, but Thame’s spin army always kept the game in the balance. Leanne Harris (2-34), Danny Thompson (2-35), Zach Harris (converting to spin) and Vim Desai, combined with a memorable flying catch in the outfield by Joe Phippen, kept hopes alive. But Thame couldn’t get into the tail and the hosts won by 4 wickets in the 23rd over. A spirited effort from the team, but with relegation confirmed, the 3s host league-leaders Westbury 2 next.
Thame 4th XI hosted local rivals Chinnor at Lord Williams’ School, won the toss and bowled. It was a tough day in the field for Thame; at the halfway stage Chinnor were 93-1, but from there Tapping (136*) and Slatter (120) blasted the visitors up to 339-3. Max Shayler returned the best figures of 1-38. Facing a mountain ahead of them, most of Thame’s batters got starts but failed to press on, with Tim Airstone‘s 24* the strongest effort in 150 all out. Still 8th, the 4s travel to bottom-placed Westbury 3 next week, looking to push away from relegation threat.
