Thame Cricket Club – Match Reports – June 22/23, 2019

1ST XI make short work of struggling Dinton – THAME 1st XI produced a clinical display in a comfortable 183 run victory over struggling Dinton.

Ollie Burland

After winning the toss and batting, openers Mike Beard (29) and Ollie Burland put on 59 for the first wicket. Beard’s dismissal only brought Cal Russell to the crease, and those two set about the Dinton bowling. Russell was eventually dismissed for 70, but Burland went through to a fine century. Some late hitting from Dev Warner (33), allowed Thame the luxury of declaring on 287-5 in 52 overs.

Jo Van Dyk struck in the first over of Dinton’s reply, and their response never got going. Three wickets apiece for Van Dyk, Faisal Ali and Andy Russell saw the hosts dismissed for just 104.

Thame sit third in the league and welcome second-placed Harefield next weekend.

Late rallies not enough as 2nds are defeated at home

THAME 2nds hosted Oxford Downs 2nds and made a good start with the bat, Richard Carr making 41, supported by James Nielson and Rafe Dickie. Following a middle-order collapse, a good final-wicket partnership between Liam Evans and James McStay got Thame up to an under-par 179 off their 53 overs. Starting well with the ball, Thame restricted Oxford Downs to 81-4 – Alastair Thomas taking 2-54. However, a fifth-wicket partnership of 73 took the game away and, despite a couple of late wickets, Downs reached the target with 7 wickets down. The 2nds look to get back on track at Sandford St. Martin this Saturday.

Thame 3rds stay 2nd after dominating Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rds

THAME travelled to Shipton-under-Wychwood and their bowlers reduced the home side to 16 for 5 after 11 overs, with James Olliver (2-14) and Luke Hayes (3-15) on top. After a fifth-wicket partnership of 40, Ian McStay (4-30) and Rob Tomlin (1-33) polished off the rest, as Shipton limped to 120 all out from 32 overs. In reply, Paddy Harris and Nick Fuller (39) put on a solid opening partnership. Fuller led the run chase and was well supported by Guy Holmes (20), Zahid Hussain (17) and Vim Desai (14*). Thame 3rds next take on fifth-placed Abingdon Vale 3rds at Stanton St John.

Close defeat for 4ths in low-scoring match

THE 4th XI hosted Bledlow Ridge 2nds at Lord Bills’s and Thame’s batsmen struggled from the off, losing the top 4 cheaply. Tim Dabbs (29) counter-attacked well, before Max Muncaster (31) compiled Thame’s top score as they limped to 108 all out. In response, Thame had Bledlow in trouble at 8-2 and continued to take wickets with Ed Mather (3-31), Rob Kenny (2-17) and Chris Penny (2-30) making the game a tight contest, but in the end Bledlow hit the winning runs, with 8 overs to spare. The 4ths next travel to Tiddington 3rds.

Women’s team get first victory in new Home Counties league

THAME travelled to Cookham Dean for their 2nd league fixture on Sunday. Batting first, Antonia Barnes and Beth John (15) started well, backed up by Megs Woodward (31) and Sarah Sanderson (22), as Thame reached 132 all out. In reply, the stand-out performance came from youngster Emily Neighbour, with 3 wickets and a stunning caught-and-bowled. Wickets also fell to Beth John (1-23), Mel White (1-15) and Claire Morris (1-23). Despite a flurry of late boundaries, Thame claimed victory as Cookham Dean could only reach 118-8.

The juniors

FINALLY, on the junior front, there was a convincing win for Thame Under-13s vs Haddenham, in the Aylesbury League, followed by a narrow defeat to Aston Rowant in the Oxfordshire League.

SOURCE – Contributed