It was a huge day for Thame Women on Sunday, as they faced Hitchin in the first of 2 possible promotion play-offs. At Church Meadow, Thame won the toss and bowled. Leanne Harris (3-19) removed both openers and Emily Green later ran out the dangerous Godschalk for 53, as Hitchin were poised to push on at 108-5. Zara Wyatt (4-26) then came back on to blitz through the tail and have the Division 2 North Champions 138 all out. In her last game before heading back to Sri Lanka, Harshani Malan opened with 25, however Thame lost her and several more wickets cheaply. The game was in the balance with 60 needed from 13 overs, and 5 wickets down. Green (41) stayed firm at the other end, ahead of Harris‘ quickfire 17 which took the team just short of the target. Thame got over the line by 3 wickets with 7 balls to spare, to spark the celebrations! With the dust barely settled, news emerged that the final play-off opponents, Berkhamsted, had forfeited next Sunday’s match – meaning Thame Women are promoted to Division 1! Congratulations to Captain Sarah Sanderson and the team!
On Saturday, the Men’s league season came to a close, and the 1st XI travelled to Amersham. Captain Hassam Mushtaq won the toss and Thame batted. After losing the openers early, Dinushka Malan and Luke Hayes (30) built Thame’s innings – Malan striking 88 from 86, including 4 sixes. Mushtaq (55) and Alex Browne (36) then backed this up, before Browne was the first victim in a hat-trick late on for Payne. Thame posted 297-9 from the 50 overs. Hayes (3-30) picked up the opening wicket, but Amersham built several promising partnerships and at 200-5 the game could have gone either way. Mushtaq and Shaz ul Haq then took 2 wickets each, and Jonathon Jelfs (3-31) removed the set batter Choksi for 90, to give Thame the win by 42 runs. Thame move up and finish in 6th, having flirted just above the relegation zone for parts of the season in a tight mid to lower table. This match was goodbye to club stalwart Mike Beard, who will be hanging up his bat (possibly not forever) at the end of this season – best wishes Mike, we hope to see you around next year!
The 2nd XI hosted fellow relegated side Stokenchurch at Church Meadow, lost the toss and bowled. Thame took out the top order cheaply and were happy with the visitors at 63-4. A partnership of 91 fought back for the visitors, before Josh Towell (2-49) took 2 quick wickets. From there Jack Aston (2-19) and Greg Jenkins (2-37) got Stokenchurch all out for 214. Richard Carr opened with 66 as all of the top order contributed, to put Thame in control. Jenkins (36*) later led as Thame cruised home by 5 wickets in the 40th over. A positive finale to a tough season, where a 9th-placed finish means the 2s will play in Division 4 next season.
Thame 3rds travelled to Brackley, won the toss and batted. On a Lords-esque slope of a pitch, Thame found it difficult – Jordan Lee-Paskin’s 23 was the best effort as Thame were all out for 83. Nick Humphries (2-19) picked up 2 early wickets to give Thame faint hope, with Brackley at 12-2. But a strong 3rd wicket partnership took Brackley most of the way to the target, winning by 7 wickets in the end. Division 6 awaits next year for the 3s, after a challenging season as a promoted side in in Division 5A.
The 4s hosted Tiddington 3, lost the toss and batted. Charlie Anderson (56) opened, but the rest of the top order struggled. Tim Airstone (38*) and Neil Smith (37), plus a generous helping of extras, helped Thame post 202-5 from the 45 overs. Ed Mather picked up an early wicket, and later contributed to a flurry of wickets, as he took 4-62. Yet it was an immovable 6th wicket partnership that took Tiddington to the win in the 40th over. The 4th XI finish 8th in Division 7A, which after potential reshuffles and changes may mean relegation to Division 8.
The competitive season is now over, but there are several friendlies still to come – check the club calendar on the website for more info!
