Latest Thame Town CC Match Reports – including history is made!

FOR the first time ever, Thame Town recorded four wins out of four in their league fixtures last Saturday, May 19 . The last time they recorded a clean-sweep was in August 2017, but the club then had only three teams! Leading the way, the 1st XI battled to a first win of the season against Cookham Dean.

Bowling first, Thame lost Andy Russell to injury in the 9th over, leaving them to field with 10 men for over 40 overs. Despite this, Thame kept things tight, with particularly miserly spells from Faisal Ali (1-21) and the new overseas pro Jo Van Dyk (2-37), limiting Cookham to 231-5. Thame got off to a fast start in their reply and a fine partnership between Mike Beard (58) and Thomas Bamford (84*) steered them to within sight of victory. A lower-order wobble led to a nervous finish, but Thame eventually won with 2 wickets to spare. They host Wokingham this Saturday, May 25, at Church Meadow.

Seconds defeat Banbury thirds

TH second XI welcomed Banbury thirds to Church Meadow. Thame got off to a strong start thanks to the bowling of Sam Lachlan (2-33) and Matt Ridgway (2-46). More tight bowling from Dan Patey (1-15) and Ben Warwick (2-18) then pinned Banbury back to a below-par score of 161. In response, James Nielson (44) and Christian Warwick (45) guided Thame smoothly towards the target. The middle order then reached Banbury’s target, helping Thame seconds to secure their second win, by 5 wickets; they travel to Great Brickhill seconds this Saturday.

Third XI win against Brackley seconds

THE thirds hosted Brackley seconds at Lord Bills’s and Brackley were pegged back instantly with some fine bowling from Luke Hayes (2-12) and Ollie Chaplin. As pressure built up, Tim Hester (4-23) and Nick Humphries (3-17) took wickets regularly and Brackley were eventually all out for 153. In reply, Thame also lost an early wicket, before Rob Johnson and Paddy Harris steadied the ship. The spine of the Thame innings was an 86-run partnership between Guy Holmes (68) and Luke Hayes (21) taking Thame to 141 for 4. A mini-collapse and a nerve-racking finish ensued and it was left to Ollie Chaplin to hit the winning runs; they next play Stokenchurch seconds away this Saturday.

Nail-biting win for the fourths against Cropredy thirds

AT Cropredy, Thame thirds were soon under the cosh at 10-4. Tim Dabbs (21) and Neil Smith (15) steadied the ship before another collapse to 67-9, whereupon Rob Kenny (23) took the total up to 109. With the ball, Thame started well through Trevor Spindler (4-13) and Chris Penny (1-13). A strong 5th-wicket partnership looked to have Cropredy in command, but regular wickets and good bowling from young Martin Wiles (1-10), Mark Fellowes (2-1) and Spindler wore the hosts down. Eventually, with Thame needing 1 wicket and Cropredy 4 runs off the last over to win, Thame claimed a dramatic win by 3 runs. They face Kingston Bagpuize seconds at home this Saturday.

Thame Women host Reading University on Sunday

IN a new fixture, Thame’s women took on a team from Reading University in an 8-aside, T20 format. In spite of a strong bowling attack and tight fielding, Thame’s only wicket was from Mel White, and Reading reached 140 for 2. In the second innings, Reading unleashed their secret weapon, a former junior Welsh international bowler and Thame did well to reach 73 for 5, with top runs from Mel White, Bridget Cooper, Sally Brentnall and Sarah Stewart.

It was an enjoyable match but on this occasion, Thame’s older team could claim neither age nor experience as an advantage! They play a third Super 8s tournament at Deddington on Monday.