First XI fall to five-wicket defeat at home to Datchet

AFTER winning the toss and batting, Thame Town Cricket Club’s firsts were immediately in trouble against the spin of Datchet’s Chris Peploe on Saturday, July 8. An excellent partnership between Richie Straughan (30) and Jimmy Adams 54, steadied the ship, but Thame never really got going and were eventually dismissed for 157 with one ball of their allotted 58 overs to spare.

James Adams

Peploe bowled from one end throughout the innings, finishing with figures of 7-48. In reply, Thame’s bowlers created chances but it was not to be their day. Steven Naylor held the Datchet innings together with 54 and the visitors ultimately chased the target down for the loss of 5 wickets with 15 overs to spare. Thame travelled to Buckingham this Saturday looking to bounce back. (Report to come)

Back-to-back wins for the second XI

THAME seconds have made it 2-from-2 so far in July, with a hard-fought 58-run victory away against Stokenchurch last weekend (July 8/9). Batting first, Thame’s score of 241 all out was anchored by skipper Matt Furness (76), ably supported by Dan Patey (58) and Christian Warwick (46). In reply, Stokenchurch got off to a flyer with an opening stand of 82 in 12 overs, putting Thame’s total under pressure.

However, once Latif was dismissed by Ali Thomas, Thame’s bowlers slowly gained the upper hand. With tw0 more wickets for Thomas, and one for Ben Warwick, the introduction of Chris Penny then literally swung the game Thame’s way. A deadly spell of 6 for 36 ripped through the middle and lower order, to give Thame an excellent win against the division’s second-placed team. They faced Witney Mills at home last Saturday. (Report to come)

Thirds battle to draw against Kimble seconds

PUT in to bat, Kimble got off to a flying start, putting on 88-0 off 15 overs, thanks to T. Skeggs (49) and A. Singh (34). Jamie Wiles (1-18) and James McStay (2 -23) were the pick of the bowlers and restored some control.

However, powerful hitting by Tizzard (102*) then made Thame wilt on a hot, sunny day as Kimble reached 279-4. In reply, Thame started well with skipper Vimal Desai (26) and Joe Phippen (12) taking them to 45 after 11 overs, but a mini-collapse reduced them to 54 for 4 after 13 overs. Ian Chappell (59), James McStay (32) and Matt Anderson (27) ensured that Thame posted a respectable drawing score of 183-7 at the close. Thame are now fifth in the table and next play Twyford thirds, who sit in third position.

Thame lose by just eight runs in T20 vs Horspath

ON Thursday, July 6, Thame travelled to Horspath in the Bernard Tollett T20 Cup. At the halfway point of the innings, Horspath were on course for over 200, with Tom Cosford blasting 83 of 34 balls, but Hassam Mushtaq (2-15) and Mike Higgs (2-19) limited the hosts to 157 all out. Thame’s chase fell just eight runs short, following Callum Russell’s 43 from 29 balls. Andy Russell’s two sixes in a row at the end made for an exciting finish, but it was to no avail. Thame hosted Oxford Downs on Thursday, July 13t. Report to follow.

Thame Under-11s win their Oxfordshire League pool

LAST Sunday, July 9, Thame Under-11s finished their regular league season in style, with a 98-run win over Tiddington, at home, thereby topping pool two, ahead of Horspath, Aston Rowant, MP Academy, Oxford and Tiddington. They amassed 140 for 1 in 20 overs with Daniel Laws, Zac Harris, Monty Muncaster and Theo Ransby all retiring on at least 25. In reply, Tiddington were skittled for 42, with Will Beerling taking three wickets and Matthew Cayley a rare hat-trick ! They travelled to Great Tew on Sunday, 16, for the County Finals day. Report to follow.