Thame cricketers shine – Match reports

OXFORD  Seconds vs Thame Firsts – Thame went 21 points clear at the top of the Cherwell League First Division last Saturday (July 11), with another close victory, this time against Oxford Seconds.

Jarryd McPhee

Oxford won the toss and elected to bat, which after 27 overs looked a good decision as they were 130 for 2 with John Barrett (61) and Mark Beer (44) firmly settled at the crease. However, Captain Mike Higgs (3-50) produced a tight spell of bowling and dismissed both batsmen, with Oxford then only able to scratch together what looked like a below-par 208 for 8.

In reply however, Thame were struggling when they were quickly reduced to 20 for 3. McPhee (64) and Mushtaq (61) batted superbly together to move Thame to 150 for 3 with 18 overs remaining. After these two were out, a cluster of wickets fell, and Thame then had to scrape slowly over the line thanks to youngster Harry Thomas (23 not out).
With the win secured by two wickets, Thame return to Church Meadow this Saturday, July18, to take on the in-form Banbury Seconnds.

Thame Seconds vs Bledlow Ridge Firsts – Thame Seconds won the toss and posted their best total of the season to date – 235 for 7 off 53 overs, thanks to Ben Warwick 62, Guy Holmes 40, Paddy Harris 27, and Liam Evans 27 not out.

Bledlow Ridge Firsts started steadily (97 for 3 off 26 overs) but accelerated thanks to Rory Spiers match-winning 75.  In the end, the Ridge just got to their target with two balls and four wickets to spare in an exciting and competitive game.

Credit to Ian McStay and Thame’s most economical bowler Liam Evans (3-26), but the home side couldn’t quite stem the flow of runs on a good batting track.

Third XI vs Shipton
Thame secured an excellent winning-draw for Thame against Shipton-under-Wychwood Fourths, in a 45 over-a-side game.

Thame Thirds batted first and reached 183 for 7, thanks mainly to young Christian Warwick’s first career 50 (58) and another half-century from “Mr Dependable” Ian Chappell (57)

Shipton never looked like reaching the target, particularly after another youngster Scott Chappell took 5 for 6 with his medium pace, but captain Dickens guided them through to the draw, with an undefeated 41.