Cricket news: Jeffcock takes Cricketing Firsts over the line and top!

BUT first, Congratulations after the Thame Town Cricket Club’s Women’s Softball Festival proves to be a great success!

THE Women’s Softball Festival finally took place at Thame Cricket Club on Sunday, July 28. This was a huge success, after the disappointment of having to cancel the original date nine days previously. Six teams took part, which was a very good turnout at short notice. There was an entourage of supporters for all teams from family and friends, which added to the fun.

The games were played in competitive spirit and with good humour. “We had positive feedback from all teams, many commenting on the great atmosphere and how much fun they had,” reported a spokesperson for the Thame contingent. Women and girls of all ages played and whether experienced or not, the teams played with carefree enthusiasm!

Thanks were extended to all who helped to make this day a great success, from setting up pitches, umpiring and scoring, running the BBQ and the music. The play-off was between Thame and the Kites netball team – with Thame proving the winners overall!

A special ‘thanks’ went to The Bay of Bengal Restaurant and Holland Green Architects for their donations, which enabled TTCC to provide prizes for various awards for the winning team – best catch, highest score and best bowler!

And now for the Men !

THAME Town Cricket Club’s First team went top of Home Counties Premier Two over the weekend (July 27-28), with a penultimate ball victory over Wokingham.

After winning the toss and choosing to field, Thame’s bowling attack produced an extremely disciplined display to control the flow of runs. Aided by some excellent catching, Wokingham were restricted to 176-7 – Hassam Mushtaq and Andy Russell taking two wickets each.

Mike Beard

The Thame response got off to the perfect start, with openers Mike Beard (67, pictured above) and Ollie Burland (45) putting on 99 for the first wicket. A brisk 29 from Callum Russell moved Thame closer to the target, but the fall of three quick wickets saw Chris Jeffcock needing three from the final six balls. After two dot balls, a fine strike over mid off brought the scores level, and Jeffcock sealed the victory with a tickle off the pads with a ball to spare.

Rain elsewhere in the league saw Thame climb to top of the league. The Firsts go to Oxford Downs next week.

Seconds gain points in rain affected draw

THAME’S second XI hosted Great Brickhill Seconds, and after a late start and winning the toss in this rain affected match, the Seconds decided to field first and knew what to chase to secure the most points. Thame fielded very well and stuck to their plan of restricting Great Brickhill’s runs, bowling them out for 146 in their allotted 42 overs. Liam Evans (pictured below) with 5-34 off 12 overs led the way, ably backed up by Gareth Bridges with 3-47 and Dan Patey (2-41).

Liam Evans

Thame were 38-2 before the rain struck again, reducing the chase to a maximum of 23 overs but the Seconds resumed to score 94-6, well ahead of their target of 82, to secure the seven ‘winning draw’ bonus points in addition to their seven bowling points.

The Seconds host Stokenchurch next week.

Superb Thirds bowling keeps them top!

THE Thame Thirds hosted Stokenchurch at home. Having won the toss, Thame inserted Stokenchurch Seconds into bat on a slightly damp, green wicket. With an excellent opening spell from Luke Hayes (3-4, pictured below recently receiving his Award for U15s batting) and Robbie Jackson (2-16), supported once again by tight fielding, Stokenchurch struggled to get any momentum.

Luke Hayes receiving his award

The first bowling change, Fahad Majeed, continued the pressure with a spell of seven overs for only eight runs, being unlucky not to take a wicket. Ian McStay (3-20) and Rob Johnson (2-12), finished the job off, as Stokenchurch were skittled out for 86.

After an excellent Jinman tea, for the second innings, the wicket had dried out somewhat. However, with clouds and rain still threatening, Thame were keen to finish the job off. Despite the loss of two wickets, Thame eased home for an eight wicket win inside 21 overs with Nick Fuller (15*) and Guy Holmes (38*) beating the rain and securing 25 points.

Thame Thirds next play second from bottom, Long Marston, away.

Frustrating draw for the Fourths

THAME Fourths took to the road in week 12 to take on Kingston Bagpuize Seconds. Having lost the toss Thame were put into bat. Here they made a strong start with Mark Fellowes and Tim Dabbs putting on an impressive 100 run opening partnership. Dabbs falling on 30 was replaced by Charlie Anderson (48) to continue to support Fellowes who posted 84. Thame eventually finished on an impressive 205-3 off their 45 overs.

Kingston Bagpuize, in reply, set to bat out the draw from ball one in a rain affected innings. Incredible efforts and figures from Thame’s bowlers ripped into the hosts including a superb five-for-five from Trevor Spindler off his 11 overs. Three more wickets from Pete Tervet, Neil Smith and Rob Kenny heaped on the pressure but Bagpuise held on to get a draw on just 39-8 off 33 overs. Another winning draw for the Fourths bagging 18 points.

Next week the Fourths host Kimble.