Perfect win for Thame cricketers – Four played, four won!

FIRST XI win thriller in the last over – Last Saturday, July 15, at Buckingham, Thame were put in to bat in tough conditions and were quickly reduced to 18-2. However, a patient 70 from overseas pro Gamindu Kanishka, coupled with yet another 50 from the in-form James Adams held the innings together.

Gami Kanishka

Finally, Adam Phippen contributed a quickfire 44 to boost the total to 216-5. In response, Buckingham made a solid start, reaching 42, before skipper Michael Beard made the breakthrough. Hassam Mushtaq (3-72) and Andrew Russell (3-40) continued to pin back the Buckingham run chase with regular wickets. Despite this all three results were still possible going into the final over. With eight wickets down and requiring 17 runs, Buckingham’s Nuwan Jayasena dispatched the first two deliveries for four and six, before the ninth wicket left Thame needing just one wicket from the three remaining deliveries. This came two balls later, with Russell and Rooney combining for a run out to seal victory. Thame now sit fourth in the league and this Saturday will host Amersham.

A third straight win for the seconds

Thame second XI welcomed third-placed Witney Mills to Church Meadow but, winning the toss and electing to bat, they failed to gain much momentum. With the exception of runs from Matt Furness (44), Daniel Patey (23) and George Patey (20), fine bowling from Steve Kelly (4-40) and Sam Haselgrove (6-37) limited Thame’s total to a below-par 154. In response, Witney Mills’s chances of winning soon looked poor, thanks to impressive spells from Matt Ridgway (4-30) and Ali Thomas (4-34) that tore through the top order. Despite resistance from Nicholas Anderson-Pierce (52), Witney failed to reach Thame’s total and were dismissed for 125.

Thame second XI are now fourth in the table and travel to Bletchley where they hope to capitalise on their great form.

Thirds remain in promotion-hunt with convincing win

Thame thirds beat Twyford thirds by 68 runs on a windy, overcast day, at Lord Williams’s ground. Thame were asked to bat first and Twyford exploited the tricky conditions, as wickets fell regularly. After 24 overs, Thame were 83 for 5. Guy Holmes made a brisk 21 but it was the lower order that saved the day as wicket-keeper Paddy Harris (25) and man- of- the-match Ian McStay (29), gave the home side a competitive total of 157. In reply, Twyford were pegged back with an excellent opening bowling spell from Pete Tervet (2-22) and John Phippen (0-14 from 7). Thame then took control of the match with James McStay (1-23), Vimal Desai (1-7) and a masterclass in accuracy from Ian McStay (5-17) dismissing Twyford for just 89.

Thame travel to play Cropedy thirds this Saturday, July 22.

Furness ton leads Sunday XI to huge win

Dorchester-on-Thames visited Church Meadow on Sunday, July 16, and chose to bat first. With some big hitting, the visitors posted an impressive 207-6, thanks largely to an opening 83 from Redhead. Thame however, wasted no time in replying, as skipper Matt Furness hit a lightning-fast 109, before retiring in favour of the youngsters. Ben Buckland finished the job with 56 not out, as Thame won by seven wickets in 23 overs.