Mixed fortunes for Thame cricketers

Battling Firsts slip to Buckingham defeat  – THAME Cricket Club’s 1st XI hosted Buckingham for their first home league game of the season last Saturday (May 13) and were asked to bat after losing the toss.

After losing Will Sutcliffe in the first over, Thame struggled for momentum on a slow wicket. Some fluency was found in a strong partnership between skipper Mike Beard (54) and Richard Straughan (61), but Thame failed to capitalise on this platform and a rather disappointing final 10 overs saw them finish on 205-8.

Knowing this to be a below-par total, Thame battled extremely well to keep Buckingham quiet in reply. A strong performance in the field, combined with some tight bowling, saw the required rate steadily climb towards a tense finish. However, wickets-in-hand ultimately proved vital for Buckingham, who got home for the loss of just 3 wickets with 6 balls to spare. Thame will look to get back to winning ways this Saturday, away at Amersham.

Saunders batting heroics not enough for seconds

IN their first away league match of the season, Thame second XI faced Witney Mills’ first XI. After losing the toss, Thame were forced to bat, losing early wickets on a seaming wicket and falling to 69-6. Supported by crucial innings from debutants Matt Ridgway (24) and Michael Anderson (22), Dave Saunders’s excellent knock (69*) helped Thame reach 212.

In reply, Witney Mills started by scoring below the required run-rate but retaining key wickets in hand. Although Chris Penny, Matt Furness and James Adams all took key wickets, Witney Mills reached the target for victory with 11 balls remaining, thanks to mature batting performances from Mayho, Claridge and Evans. Thame 2nd XI play against Bletchley Town 1st XI at home next week, where they will be looking to kick-start their season.

Thirds batting lets them down against tough Twyford

THAME thirds lost by 106 runs, away to a strong Twyford team. Thame managed to keep Twyford to a reasonable total after 30 overs, but a solid 51 from Cronshaw and some power hitting by Bridgeman (73) ensured a sizeable total of 229. Vim Desai offered some bowling resistance, taking 6 wickets, while Ian McStay, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Thompson and Jamie Wiles took 1 each.

Thame, in reply, started respectably with a 30 from Desai, but a middle-order collapse left Thame in trouble. This left George Patey (24), Mark Fellowes (23) and the tail to attempt to salvage a draw, but it wasn’t to be, as B. Harper starred for the hosts taking 5 for 36, to have Thame all out for 122. The 3rds are back at home next week, against Cropredy 3s, both seeking their first wins of the season.

Under-Elevens beat Horspath

IT was left to Thame Under-11s to bring the club back to winning ways last Sunday (May 14), beating Horspath at home, by 2 wickets, in a tense finish. Mack Copley (25 not out) and Monty Muncaster (17) were the heroes of the run chase.