Heavy defeat for cricket club’s firsts, but ‘seconds’ back to winning ways

Thame Town Cricket Club – Match reports – June 9 – 12 -THAME faced Banbury on Saturday, June 9, and after winning the toss and choosing to bat, Callum Russell got the innings off to a fine start with a fluent 40. Once again, however, Thame lost wickets in clusters and were indebted to an enterprising 39 not out from Hassam Mushtaq as they scrambled to 190.

A combination of some excellent batting from Banbury skipper Lloyd Sabin (64) and some uncharacteristically mixed bowling saw Banbury ease home for the loss of just three wickets. Thame travel to Horspath this Saturday June 16,. However,

However, Thame showed impressive mastery of the T20 format, on Tuesday evening, June 12, defeating Oxford in their first fixture of the Bernard Tollett competition. Oxford posted the good score of 160 in their 20, but were overhauled in Thame’s 20th over, thanks mainly to a majestic 99* by Gami Kanishka.

Seconds back to winning ways

THE seconds travelled to Shipton-under-Wychwood and chose to bowl first on a soft wicket. Alex Bell’s accurate opening-spell (5-31) gave Thame a perfect start, continued by the spinners, Ben Buckland (2-20) and Dan Patey (3-23), backed up by keeper Oli Sutcliffe, which saw Shipton finish on 121 all out.

Alex Bell, who took f5 wickets to ensure the 2nds beat Shipton-under-Wychwood and remain at the top of Division 4.

In reply, Thame came flying out of the blocks, thanks to an excellent partnership between Justin Avery (52) and Jack Aston (57*) and comfortably reached the target for the loss of only three wickets, ensuring they remain top of the table. They face Witney Mills at home this Saturday, June 16.

Thirds frustrated by draw away to Cumnor 

PUT into bat by Cumnor thirds, Thame reached 53-4 after 18 overs, thanks to opener Andy Jinman (31). A 5th-wicket partnership of 43 by Ian McStay (32) and Vim Desai (24) took the score to 115-6 at 35 overs, with the tail managing to reach 158-9 at the close. In reply, Cumnor’s openers could gain no momentum against Pete Tervet (1-21) and Nick Humphries (0-19 off 8 overs), reaching only 36-1 off 18 overs.

Spinners Vim Desai (2-21) and Ian McStay (2-25) then reduced Cumnor to 75-5 off 37 overs. Despite Luke Hayes’s late wickets (2-2) Cumnor ground out a dull draw, ending on just 93-7 off 45 overs. The thirrds play Oxford and Bletchingdon Nondescripts at home this Saturday, June 16.

Fourths bag valuable points despite defeat to league-leaders

THAE fourths travelled to play league-leaders Cropredy with the opposition racing to 65-1 off the first 10 overs, Max Muncaster taking the first wicket. Switching to spin, Dan Constant recorded his career-best figures of 6-57 off 15 overs, as Cropredy reached 210-9 off their 45 overs. Batting once again proved tough for Thame, against some impressive seam bowling. Innings from Josh Edworthy (37) and Pete McDermott (25) in the middle-order helped Thame to 94 all out in response. Now fifth in Division 10, they travel to play Didcot fouths this Saturday, June 12.