CRICKET: Thame’s first eleven still searching for form

IT’S been another week of mixed fortunes for Thame Town Cricket Club, with the Firsts losing to Shipton-under-Wychwood, the Seconds drawing against Didcot and the Thirds leading the way with another win.

Hassam Mushtaq who took 6 for 77 for the Firsts in a losing cause

1st XI
THAME continued their poor form against in-form Shipton-under-Wychwood last Saturday (July 16) at home. Thame won the toss and asked Shipton to bat. Thame bowled well reducing Shipton to 84-5 but their overseas professional Sanklecha scored 51 to steer them to 194 all out in their last over. Hassam Mushtaq was pick of the Thame bowlers taking 6-77. In reply, Thame started well putting on 31 for the first wicket, but were then reduced to 60 for 6 by Sanklecha, who finished with figures of 7 for 47, as Thame were dismissed for 125. High-flying Horspath are the opponents at Church Meadow on Saturday 23rd, who were beaten by Thame in the first round of the Bernard Tollett T20 trophy last month.

2nd XI
THE second XI went to Didcot, in the shadow of the ill-fated power station, hoping for a win to keep their title chase on track. Losing the toss, they were put into bat and started shakily against good swing bowling. Thankfully Jimmy Nielsen (45) and skipper Chris Jeffcock (29) steadied the ship with a stand of 71. Thame were scoring quickly but getting out to poor shots and it was mainly thanks to 38 from Justin Avery they managed to reach a below-par 207 all out from just 43.3 overs, on a fast outfield. With Didcot 2nds needing 208 from the remaining 56 overs, Thame were going to need to fight all the way. With Jeffcock bowling out of his skin for 18 overs (18-1-56-3), well supported by John Phippen’s miserly spells (16-6-32-0), Didcot looked out of it at 125 for 5 in the 43rd over. Then Redman hit 62 not out off 39 balls to set up the tightest of finishes, with Thame just holding on and Didcot ending up on 205 for 8 off their 56 overs. The 2nds travel to Abingdon Vale on the 23rd for a crucial 1st vs 2nd contest.

3rd XI
THAME Thirds ended their run of draws with a much-needed victory away to Stokenchurch second team. Thame bowled first with Will Bruce-Morgan again starting well, picking up 2 for 25 in the opening spell. Scott Chappell took the prize wicket of the opener, reducing the hosts to 54-3, but a 50 partnership then started to build a reasonable score, until Pete Tervet got the brealthrough. With George Patey then taking 4 for 53 and Sam Nicholls 1 for 12, Stokenchurch were bundled out for 153. In reply, Thame also lost 3 wickets for 50 runs, but Ian Chappell stood firm with 36, guiding Thame to 99-5 still with work to do. George Patey (53 not out) and Paddy Harris (30 not out) then saw Thame through to victory with 7 overs to spare. Thame are still 2nd in Division 9 North and head to league-leaders Buckingham Town on the 30th after a weekend off.

SOURCE: Contributed