Thame cricketers celebrate as seconds and thirds promoted

THAME Town Cricket Club – Match Reports for the weekend August 25-27, 2018 – Firsts lose to local rival Aston Rowant

THAME first XI hosted local rivals Aston Rowant last Saturday, and batting first after winning the toss, Rowant took full advantage of a docile pitch as they made 288-5 from their 50 overs, Andrew Tolson carrying his bat for a fine 112. Andy Russell was the pick of the Thame bowlers, finishing with 3-35.

Callum Russell
who held TTCC’s first team’s innings together with a battling 65

The Thame response stuttered from the start, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Callum Russell held things together with a battling 65, but Thame were dismissed for 196. Thame travel to Oxford for the final game of the league season this coming weekend.

Seconds promoted to Division three, despite deafeat at Abingdon

THE secnd XI travelled to Abingdon, only needing four points to secure promotion. Asked to bat, Thame got off to a rocky start, with only Jack Aston (55) ever seemed to get going, meaning that Thame could only reach 157. In reply, early wickets from debutant Will Bruce-Morgan (2-25) put Thame on the front foot, but they couldn’t break through Abingdon’s middle order and lost by six wickets. Despite this, Thame secured promotion to Cherwell Division three, as runners-up and entertain local rivals Tiddington this coming Saturday.

Thirds promoted after huge win over Stockenchurch seconds

THE thirds hosted Stokenchurch seconds, hoping to secure their promotion too. After two early wickets, Justin Avery (115) and Shakeel Khan (98) put on 178 for the third wicket and with a cameo of 18 from James Olliver, Thame amassed 264-6 off 41 overs. Faced with this daunting target, Stokenchurch started brightly but wickets fell regularly to Nick Humphries (3-35) and Rob Tomlin (2-17). The tail was mopped up by Pete Tervet (3-9) and James Olliver (2-5), leaving them 69 all out. Guaranteed promotion, Thame now travel to Bletchley ceconds for the title-decider this coming Saturday.

Fourths defeated by top-of-the-tale Dinton thirds

THAME fourths faced league-leaders Dinton who batted first, reaching 233 for 7, with Neil Smith (2-39) and Wiles (2-55) the pick of the bowlers. In reply, Thame struggled with Dinton’s consistent bowling, eventually falling to a heavy defeat to the promoted side by 193 runs. They are at home next for their final game of the season against Westbury thirds.

Women’s team more competitive against excellent Henley side

ALTHOUGH Thame’s women suffered a second defeat to Henley in their return match at Church Meadow on Monday, they nevertheless took a great sense of achievement from their performance. Facing another young Henley side – with five county players – Thame’s women demonstrated that this first season of competitive matches has seen steadily improving personal and team performances.

Batting first, Henley posted 219 for 5 off 30 overs, with wickets for Sarah Sanderson (2-51), Mel White (1-23), Claire Morris (1-26) and Antonia Barnes (1-9). In reply, Thame made 181 for 9 off 30 (55 more than in the match at Henley), with commanding performances from Beth John (50 – ret), Sanderson (35 not out) and White (28), plus support from Barnes, Bridget Cooper and Michelle Wells and a brave innings from the injured but indomitable Clare Seed with the help of a runner.