Two wins in a row keep Thame cricketers tops

THAME Town Cricket Club’s First team maintained its great start to the season with a nail-biting, two-wicket win at Leighton Buzzard on Saturday, June 6. Thame’s opponents won the toss and elected to bat first, starting quickly and racing to 60 off 12 overs.

Hassam Mushtaq

However, tight spells from Sam Lachlan and Mike Higgs put Thame back in control. At the halfway point, Buzzard were 90 for 2 and Phil Watmore’s 52 helped steer them to 194 for 9 off their 53 overs. Thame’s Hassam Mushtaq ended up with figures of 4-56. In reply, the in-form Will Sutcliffe smashed 60 off 40 balls to get Thame to 77 off 11 overs, for the loss of no wicket.

However, Buzzard’s veteran bowler, Lee Selfe, then took 5-45, leaving Thame precariously set on 120 for 6. Thanks to Honey Garg (35) and Jarryd McPhee (35 not out) Thame reached the victory with 9 balls to spare.

CUMNOR TOO SUCCUMB TO THAME

Lying second in the Cherwell League 1st division, Thame then went on to entertain Cumnor at Church Meadow last Saturday, June 13, where, after another thrilling 2-wicket victory, Thame Firsts remain unbeaten and now stand clear at the head of the table.

Mike Higgs

In a rain-reduced game, one of only two to be played in the 1st division, Thame elected to field in a 33/30 over game. Sam Lachlan and Jarryd McPhee put pressure on the Cumnor openers and when spin twins Hassam Mushtaq (3-26) and captain Mike Higgs (6-61) were introduced, Cumnor were soon in trouble, with the score at 60 for 6.

However, D. Warmer’s 57 not out steered Cumnor to what looked like a below-par 138 all out in 28 overs, giving Thame five, much-needed extra overs. In response, Thame made a shaky start, finding themselves 30 for 4, but the new-found belief and spirit amongst the camp meant the team wanted to gamble and win.

Gritty knocks from Matt Furness (26) and Sam Lachlan (26 not out) steered Thame to victory in the 34th over.

Thame travel to Great Brickhill next Saturday, June 20, for a top-of-the-table clash, with both sides currently unbeaten.

SOURCE: Contributed