New faces at Thame Cricket Club (Contributed)

THAME Town Cricket Club have started their 2009 season in surprisingly fine weather, and have introduced a number of new faces into the club.

Adam Krol and Mitchell Meredith have moved on to Horspath C.C. and Chris Mitty has rejoined Cumnor after helping the club out in the keeping department last year. We wish them all well.

Pratik Patel has joined from Ealing C.C. and now wants to try his hand in Oxfordshire cricket. He has always scored runs against Thame in the past in end-of-season friendlies, and the club has high hopes for him. Lance Giles has joined from Kent league cricket, and Simon Joliffe has joined from Cuddington. Seetal Patel has joined from Eastcote CC, and is another very promising young player.

With Manoj Parmar and England U-16 player, Michael Beard both in form in pre-season games, the First XI began their Home Counties League season against Wokingham at Church Meadow. Thame Town were inserted on a pitch with some early movement and were 65 for 3 when skipper, Rob Brooks, was joined by all-rounder Luke Merry. They put on 84 for the fourth wicket with Merry going on to make 72 and Brooks, 55, in Thame’s final total of 222 all out in the last over. Thava finished with W.C.C. career best figures of 7/49.

When Wokingham replied they were in deep trouble at 30 for 5, before Soza (49) and Thava (49) fought back. Sam Lachlan claimed 3 for 14 off 10 overs and Luke Merry, 3 for 55 off 17.4.

After the seamers, Bhatti took 4 for 29, with the last wicket falling to Merry in the second-to-last over to give a well deserved victory to Thame Town.

The club is always looking for new players of all abilities. For more information, contact Angus Lachlan on 07966 280139 or email: angus.lachlan@talk21.com