Match reports from Thame Town Cricket Club’s first League weekend

First XI fall to Burnham on opening Saturday

THAME firsts started their Home Counties Premier 2 campaign with a six-wicket defeat, at home to Burnham on Saturday, May 11.

After losing the toss and being inserted on a difficult wicket, Thame lost early wickets. Tom Bamford (37) and James Adams (39) got the innings back on course, but with a score in excess of 200 seemingly within reach, the lower order folded to an under-par 180 all out.

In reply, new opening bowlers Faisal Ali and Devane Warner started well and picked up a couple of early wickets. However, a near-chanceless innings from Burnham’s Raza Ali Dar (76*) saw his side home with 4 overs to spare. Thame travel to Cookham Dean next weekend

Second XI start in Division Three with a big win

THE 2nd XI were promoted at the end of last season and had a comfortable debut in Division 3.

Asking Horley firsts to bat, they reduced them to 175 all out in 46 overs, with Ali Thomas (4-26) and Dan Patey (4-30) doing the main damage. In reply, Thame reached their target for just 2 wickets in 31 overs, with Christian Warwick (pictured) on 87* and Matt Furness making 49.

This Saturday they entertain Banbury 3rds at Church Meadow.

Third XI make a positive start

THE newly-promoted thirds started their Division 8 campaign with a trip to Challow & Childrey and, losing the toss, were put into bat.

Thame started comfortably before a spell of 6-18 from Betts brought a collapse to 74-8. Neil Smith (31*) and Ian McStay (31) led Thame through the crisis to a competitive 153-9. Luke Hayes (1-17) and Pete Tervet (1-20) started well and in the new win-lose format, put Thame in command. Nick Humphries (3-32), Neil Smith (2-23) and a direct-hit run out by Hayes took out the middle order, putting C&C in a similar predicament as Thame.

Another good 9th wicket partnership caused concern, before McStay took the final 2 wickets – C&C all out for 123. The thirds host Brackley seconds next week.

Fourth XI’s tough baptism in Division 9

THE fourth XI are also newly-promoted, to Division 9, and started against league-favourites Cumnor thirds. The visitors were restricted by tight bowling from Kenny (9 off 6 overs) and Spindler (3-17), supported by Thomson (2-17) and Vines (2-27), but they fought their way to 144.

Thame found the batting chase a tough task, with only Charlie Anderson showing real resistance against a quality seam-attack, and knocking up an excellent 34 runs – not bad for his first game in 33 years! Thame ended on 77 all out, but bagging a respectable 8 points to get them off the mark. Next week they travel to Cropredy thirds.

WOMEN – Super 8 games at Oxford – Sunday 12 May

IN the first match of their Super 8s at Oxford, on Sunday, Thame’s Women did well to reach 230, Sarah Sanderson top scoring with 12. Despite solid bowling from Bridget Cooper, Mel White, Claire Morris and Sarah Sanderson, as well as great fielding by Mags Lightbody, Charlbury went on to score 270.

In the second match, Thame held Oxford to 295 and then, against an excellent bowling side, reached a solid 245, with Mags leading the way with 13 runs.

Two tough opponents for Thame but some great performances nevertheless.

SUNDAY XI friendly vs Oxford Hospitals CC

FINALLY, in Sunday’s friendly, Oxford Hospitals CC batted first, amassing 327 off their 40 overs. Notable tight bowling from P.McDermott 1-28 off 7 overs and Beth John 1-39 off 6. The response was led by Thame’s Guy Holmes with 105 runs.

Good support came from Tim East (23) and Taylor Vines (25) but Thame eventually all out for a very respectable 191.

port came from Tim East (23) and Taylor Vines (25) but Thame eventually all out for a very respectable 191.