Two out of three for Thame Town Cricket Club

A very good weekend for  Thame Town Cricket Club, July 30/31, with both the Firsts and Seconds winning their matches, though the Third team could not quite beat Division Nine leaders, Buckingham Fourths, to make up ground on them, but  did manage a draw.  MATCH REPORTS from Andy Jinman:

Sam Lachlan who top-scored for the 1sts and took one wicket

1st XI
THAME got back to their winning ways last Saturday, with a 94 run victory away at Cookham Dean. Thame won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a decent track. Thame’s top order struggled as they were reduced to a familar 88 for 7 at lunch. Veteran Sam Lachlan however then scored 62, supported well by youngster Adam Phippen with 39, to get Thame to a well-above-par 194 all out in the 58th over. In reply Lachlan and Rooney both took early wickets, as Thame reduced Cookham to 66 for 5 at tea. Hassam Mushtaq then took 5 wickets, as Thame bowled Cookham Dean out for 110.

Thame entertain local rivals Aston Rowant this Saturday, August 6, in another crucial game.

2nd XI
The 2nd XI entertained Kingston Bagpuize Firsts knowing that only a win would be enough to keep them on top of Division Five of the Cherwell League.

After the visitors won the toss and chose to bat, Thame’s bowlers imposed their usual squeeze, led by Ian McStay (9-3-14-0) and captain Chris Jeffcock (8.4-1-22-2). They limited the visitors to 119 for 6 after 42 overs, with Ali Thomas taking key wickets (17-2-47-4). Thanks to 54 from G. Woodley and some big hits at the end, Kingston Bagpuize managed to reach a respectable but below-par 180 all out in the 52nd over. In reply, after the openers had gone cheaply, James Adams (67 not out) timed his innings perfectly, guiding Thame to 182 for 7 off 47 overs, with one over to spare. He was ably supported by Ed Barnett (28) and Ali Thomas (24 not out). Thame’s reward for the win was 25 points and a lead of 22 over Leighton Buzzard, as they go into a crucial game this Saturday, away to that same opposition.

3rd XI
The 3rd XI travelled to the top side Buckingham needing a win to close the gap on them, in their push for promotion. Thame won the toss and chose to bowl first and were soon causing problems for the home side’s batting at 36-4.

An 80 partnership then took the game to Thame, before another flurry of wickets ended the innings with Buckingham 160-9. John Phippen was the pick of the bowlers with 5-37, Nick Fuller impressed with 3-47 and Ed Mather took 1-39. In reply, Dave Saunders (45) and Ian Chappell (34) set Thame up for what looked like a good chase. However, the loss of Saunders saw a collapse, losing 7 for only 26 runs. With just 1 wicket left and 27 runs still needed and with the league situation hanging over them, Captain John Phippen (12 not out) went for the win. It was too big a task however and with tensions high between the two sides, Thame ended with a draw on 148-9.