Category: Sports News

Thame Town Cricket Club – Match reports – June 9 – 12 -THAME faced Banbury on Saturday, June 9, and after winning the toss and choosing to bat, Callum Russell got the innings off to a fine start with a fluent 40. Once again, however, Thame lost wickets in clusters and were indebted to an enterprising 39 not out from Hassam Mushtaq as they scrambled to 190.

A combination of some excellent batting from Banbury skipper Lloyd Sabin (64) and some uncharacteristically mixed bowling saw Banbury ease home for the loss of just three wickets. Thame travel to Horspath this Saturday June 16,. However,

However, Thame showed impressive mastery of the T20 format, on Tuesday evening, June 12, defeating Oxford in their first fixture of the Bernard Tollett competition. Oxford posted the good score of 160 in their 20, but were overhauled in Thame’s 20th over, thanks mainly to a majestic 99* by Gami Kanishka.

Seconds back to winning ways

THE seconds travelled to Shipton-under-Wychwood and chose to bowl first on a soft wicket. Alex Bell’s accurate opening-spell (5-31) gave Thame a perfect start, continued by the spinners, Ben Buckland (2-20) and Dan Patey (3-23), backed up by keeper Oli Sutcliffe, which saw Shipton finish on 121 all out.

In reply, Thame came flying out of the blocks, thanks to an excellent partnership between Justin Avery (52) and Jack Aston (57*) and comfortably reached the target for the loss of only three wickets, ensuring they remain top of the table. They face Witney Mills at home this Saturday, June 16.

Thirds frustrated by draw away to Cumnor 

PUT into bat by Cumnor thirds, Thame reached 53-4 after 18 overs, thanks to opener Andy Jinman (31). A 5th-wicket partnership of 43 by Ian McStay (32) and Vim Desai (24) took the score to 115-6 at 35 overs, with the tail managing to reach 158-9 at the close. In reply, Cumnor’s openers could gain no momentum against Pete Tervet (1-21) and Nick Humphries (0-19 off 8 overs), reaching only 36-1 off 18 overs.

Spinners Vim Desai (2-21) and Ian McStay (2-25) then reduced Cumnor to 75-5 off 37 overs. Despite Luke Hayes’s late wickets (2-2) Cumnor ground out a dull draw, ending on just 93-7 off 45 overs. The thirrds play Oxford and Bletchingdon Nondescripts at home this Saturday, June 16.

Fourths bag valuable points despite defeat to league-leaders

THAE fourths travelled to play league-leaders Cropredy with the opposition racing to 65-1 off the first 10 overs, Max Muncaster taking the first wicket. Switching to spin, Dan Constant recorded his career-best figures of 6-57 off 15 overs, as Cropredy reached 210-9 off their 45 overs. Batting once again proved tough for Thame, against some impressive seam bowling. Innings from Josh Edworthy (37) and Pete McDermott (25) in the middle-order helped Thame to 94 all out in response. Now fifth in Division 10, they travel to play Didcot fouths this Saturday, June 12.

First Xl Defeated at Tring – THAME firsts suffered a disappointing defeat away at Tring on Saturday. Another below-par batting performance saw Thame shot out for just 124, overseas Gami Kanishka top scoring with 34. Thame’s response started brightly, reducing Tring to 20-3. However 124 never looked like being enough and a steady partnership saw Tring home for the loss of 4 wickets, with plenty of overs to spare. Thame host Banbury this weekend in the first timed game of the season.

First defeat for high-flying second Xl

THE second XI sought to extend their 100% start, at home, against second-placed East Oxford, but the visitors started strongly. Daniel Patey (2-53), Alastair Thomas (3-42) and Matt Ridgway (2-15) forced breakthroughs, but East Oxford still managed a defendable total of 221. In response, Richard Carr (71) was quickly out of the blocks and runs from Jack Aston (31), Daniel Patey (33) and Jonathon Jelfs (26) kept Thame in the game, but with wickets falling too regularly, they eventually ended 18 runs short. East Oxford thereby close the gap on the league leaders, who will seek to maintain their lead at the top, this Saturday, at Shipton-under-Wychwood.

A winning draw for the third Xl

THAME thirds were denied a win away to Kimble seconds but picked up 21 valuable points. Batting first they posted a score of 191-9 off 45 overs, thanks to an assured 109 partnership between Christian Warwick (60) and Ben Buckland (59) and a last-wicket stand of 30 by Nick Humphries and Ian McStay. In reply, Kimble reached 79-0, thanks to Skeggs (44) & Whitehead (37) before Ian McStay (2-6), Vim Desai (2-40) and man-of-the-match Buckland (4-37) pulled things back. Thame had Kimble at 139 for 9, but they held out. Next Thame take on fourth-placed Cumnor, away, this Saturday.

Fourths unable to defend modest total

THAME fourths hosted Aston Rowant fifths and, batting first, made a solid start before a succession of wickets left Thame at 60-6. Pete Higson (44) and Zahid Hussain (30) counter-attacked, as Thame ended on 150 all out. Despite some good bowling, with Patrick Willasey-Wilsey (2-23) to the fore, Aston Rowant’s Atkins could not be removed and batted through for 79* to give Rowant a 5 wicket win. Thame face Cropredy thirds at home this Saturday.

Thame women fall just short against Chesham

FACING a strong Chesham team, Thame fielded first. There were great bowling efforts from Sarah Sanderson, Lina Budde-Manning, Sally Brentnall, skipper Bridget Cooper and Antonia Barnes, combined with good catching and two run-outs, as Chesham reached 162.. Thame then produced an exciting run-chase, led by Beth John and Cooper (both retired on 30), with steady performances by Barnes (11), Sally Surman (13) and Mel White (11). Thame fell just short in the end, with 146, but take plenty of positives away.

FOLLOWING two very successful years, it’s almost time for Sports in the Street 2018, when adults and children, and Thame’s sports clubs come together for live demonstrations and sporting activities to try, and discover all the information needed for those interested in joining a new sports club.

The children participating will receive certificates and a free gift to further encourage playing sports and the evening will also feature a live steel band.

Manoj Parmar’s initiative from 2016 has led to this becoming an annual event, growing and gaining interest each year. It started with the street cricket party ’90 Not Out’ to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday, before then expanding to all different kinds of sports in the local community the following year. The event has now attracted over 15 participating clubs in a one-off, traffic-freeThame High Street, ensuring there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Manoj’s main ideas behind ‘Sports in the Street’ is to get the people of Thame and surrounding areas to be more active, bringing the community together through sport and promoting teamwork and participation.

The event will take place from 6pm to 9pm on Friday, June 29, and is free to attend. It is also a great opportunity for the promotion of local businesses who are being invited to sponsor the event.

For more information about ‘Sports in the Street’, email sportinthestreetthame@gmail.com, or call Manoj Parmar on 01844 212226.

All participating clubs are invited to the event meeting tonight, Thursday, June 7, at 7:30 pm at Thame town hall. Otherwise, email sportinthestreetthame@gmail.com

For more information about this event, visit: http://mpsportscricketacademy.co.uk/

First XI lose narrowly to Slough – THAME 1st XI slipped to a narrow defeat at home to Slough last Saturday, May 26 . Batting first, Thame again started poorly, but captain Mike Beard and overseas Gami Kanishka recovered to 80-2. The fall of both in the same over turned the game and, despite the bold efforts of the tail, Thame stuttered to a below-par 175-9. The Slough response started well and the game looked over at 100-0. However, Thame showed the character that earned them promotion last season, with wickets falling in the later stages and Slough eventually scrambling home for the loss of seven wickets with just 10 balls to spare. Thame travelled to Tring this Saturday, June 2. (Report to follow)

Second XI make it four wins from four matches!

THAME second XI travelled to play Charlbury 1st XI, hoping to extend their 100% record in Division Four. James Nielson (67) and debutant Rafe Dickie (52) passed 100 for the first wicket. Quick runs by Daniel Patey (26), Jack Aston (48) and Richard Carr (27*) meant Thame ended on an impressive 275 from 50 overs. In response, Charlbury never looked like matching Thame’s big total, thanks to early wickets from Matt Ridgway (2-35) and Jonathan Jelfs (3-18). Daniel Patey (3-21) and Alastair Thomas (1-9) then kept Thame on top, Charlbury dismissed easily for only 83 runs. They welcomed second-placed East Oxford to Church Meadow this last Saturday, June2. (Report to follow)

Defiant tail snatches unlikely win for thirds

THAME thirds managed a dramatic win against Oxford fours after a top-order batting collapse. Batting first, the visitors struggled on a difficult track, as Nick Humphries (2-14) and Pete Tervet (0-19 off 13 overs) restricted Oxford to just 33-2 off 22 overs. Oxford reached 99 for 7 off 45 overs, with wickets shared around the bowlers. In reply, chasing 100 for victory, Thame started disastrously, slumping to 5 for 5. It was left to Chris Penny (16) to start a fight-back, followed by a defiant ninth-wicket partnership of 59 between Ian McStay (30) and Pete Tervet (30*) to bring the score to 81 for 9. Tervet and Rob Tomlin then edged Thame home, helping to secure 3rd spot. They next took on fifth-placed Kimble seconds, away, this Saturday, June 2. (Report to follow)

Fourths let down by their batting

THAME’S unbeaten fourths travelled to Bicester & North Oxford but lost the toss and batted. The innings started badly as only Shay Reading (26) reached double figures, leaving Thame on just 50 all out, from 22 overs. Despite having little chance of victory, Thame set about picking up bonus points for wickets. Ed Mather (2-25) removed the openers and then, with the game almost over, Rob Kenny (3-21) and a run out gave the Bicester middle-order a fright, before the hosts edged home. The fourths went on to face Aston Rowant fifths, at home, this last Saturday, June 2. (Report to follow)

Finally, Thame Town Cricket Club are looking for a scorer for their First XI – expenses paid; please contact Angus on 07966 280139.

THAME Swimming Club has held its first ever Junior Development Meet. Young swimmers – 126 of them – aged between 8 – 12 years-old, attended from five clubs – Thame, Witney, Bicester, Newport Pagnell and Didcot.

The meet consisted of five events, a 50m freestyle, a 50m Backstroke, a 50m Breaststroke, a 50m Butterfly and a 100m Individual Medley, accumulating in nearly 500 individual entries.

Club spokesperson, Will Hard, explained: “The meet was designed to give the younger swimmers a chance to compete against swimmers from other clubs and give them valuable experience for the future. There were many impressive swims with nearly all the swimmers achieving a least one (if not several) personal best times.

“Thame Swimming Club would like to thank all those who made this event possible including all the Volunteers and Officials who gave up their valuable time, Thame Leisure Centre for hosting the event and Sundance Pools the Club’s sponsor. We’re already looking forward to planning our next event.”

A disappointing day for Thame CC first team – THAME 1st XI travelled to High Wycombe on Saturday, May 19. Fielding first, Thame found the going tough, as young Wycombe opener Edmund Casterton compiled a fine hundred. Despite struggling to make breakthroughs, Thame worked hard to stay in the game and kept the hosts to 266-4. In reply, the fragility of Thame’s top-order was again exposed. James Adams again showed glimpses of his talent whilst top scoring with 28 but, when he ran out of partners, Thame were still well short on 126 all out. Thame look to bounce back this Saturday, at home, against Slough.

Thame seconds make it three-from-three – THAME 2nd XI welcomed Long Marston to Church Meadow and, batting first, got off to a quick start through Richard Carr (53). A classy knock from skipper Matt Furness (144*) then anchored Thame’s innings with great support from Dave Saunders (85, retired hurt) and Jack Aston (29*). This left Thame firmly in the driving seat with 357 runs for only 2 wickets from their 50 overs. Needing over 7 runs per over, Long Marston started quickly and a knock of 152 from Hamish Sim kept a chance of victory alive. Regular wickets from Matt Ridgway (2-69), Dan Patey (3-42) and George Patey (3-50) meant that Long Marston were always just behind the rate required however and Thame secured the win by bowling them out for 317, putting them at the top of Division Foue. They seek their fourth consecutive win away at newcomers Charlbury this Saturday.

Third XI get their season back on track with a ten-wicket win – FOLLOWING the frustration of being halted by the rain on May 12, Thame thirds went to Bledlow Ridge on Saturday May 19, in confident mood. With Tomlin (7-2-15-2) and Nick Humphries (11-2-26-2) squeezing the top order, Bledlow Ridge looked unlikely to reach 100 but H. Ahmed then chanced his arm and cut loose for 37 quick runs. It was left to Ben Warwick (10.4-4-24-4) and Ian McStay (5-1-12-1) to restore order and dismiss the hosts for 114 in the 37th over. After tea, Thame 3rds set off at a canter, with Christian Warwick leading the way, supported by Andy Jinman, Thame had reached 73-0 in just 10 overs. Warwick soon reached the half-century and they finished at 115-0, from 16.4 overs, with 66 and 39 respectively.

Thame fourth XI frustrated by Minster Lovell thirds forfeiting the game – THE fourths picked up 25 points after Minster Lovell thirds forfeited the game. They were due to travel to Bicester & North Oxford last Saturday, May 26.

Women’s team win against Cookham – their first win in a hardball friendly! THAME Women faced Cookham Dean in a friendly and winning the toss, batted first. Thame rallied after an early setback, through Bridget Cooper (34) and Sarah Sanderson (28). Cookham bowled well but Mel White’s superb 35 with Sally Surman (19*) and Jess Clarke (8*) brought Thame up to 176. When Cookham batted, Sanderson (3-24) made the perfect start, taking two wickets off her first two balls of the innings! Several good partnerships meant Cookham’s runs were building, before Lina Budde-Manning’s 2-22 pegged them back. Smart death bowling from Claire Morris (1-14) and Sally Surman, restricted Cookham to 161-7, as Thame won by 15 runs.

A team from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse beat more than 130 over 55-year-olds to win the 2018 Better Club Games – an Olympic-style event for older people.

The games were held at Rivermead Leisure Complex, in Reading on Friday, May, 20, and was run by the UK’s largest public leisure provider Better, the consumer facing brand of charitable social enterprise GLL. The event aimed to encourage older people to become more active and to highlight the social and physical benefits that sporting activities can offer to individuals of all ages.

Participants took part in six sports including walking football, badminton, short tennis, table tennis, timed swim and pickleball. Proudly representing their districts the five teams competing hailed from the south east and midlands districts of Chiltern & South Bucks, Reading, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire & Vale of White Horse and Swindon.

The winners, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse, claimed the title for the second successive year, with Reading in second place and Chiltern & South Bucks in third. Those on the podium included Brian Gray and Barbara Gibbins, who plays Table Tennis at Thame Leisure Centre. They finished second in the table tennis event.

Jamie Coleshill, Regional Director at GLL the charitable social enterprise that operates Better Leisure Centres. opened the event. He said: “As GLL is the UK’s leading charitable leisure social enterprise, we are proud to run the Better Club Games to celebrate the benefits of physical activity and active lifestyles across all our UK partnerships – whatever your age!”

Colin Williams, Community Sports Manager, added: “Having days like this really helps to encourage people to be more active, giving people of all ages a chance to try competitive sport, represent their community and most importantly take part in physical activity with like minded people. It was a great day that was enjoyed by all and I’m delighted for Team South Oxfordshire & Vale of the White Horse, to win the title for the second successive year is a fantastic and a real bonus for our community.”

The Better Club Games is a competitive day of sport and physical activity for anyone aged 55+ and over. The Games have been running for 12 years in London and this year is the third time the Games have been delivered outside of London.

The ethos of the Games is for older people to come together in a social friendly environment to play competitive sport. In turn this will encourage them to be regularly active in later life.

THAME Town Cricket Club (TTCC) successfully launched a second year of “All Stars Cricket”, last Friday (May 11) at Church Meadow in the centre of Thame.

All Stars Cricket is an ECB-led initiative, designed to be a fantastic, fun first-taste of the whole cricket experience for children, aged between five and eight years-old.

Club Spokesperson, Andy Jinman, said: “The club was heavily involved in the scheme’s inaugural season in 2017, which proved to be a huge success. After Friday’s first session, the reactions of the children and parents were really positive and we’re told they can’t wait for week two of eight to come around!”

Such was the race to sign up this year, the club’s All Stars group is already full, with almost 50 children taking part.

Andy thanked the ECB and all the TTCC volunteers who helped out.

Read more about ‘All Stars’ cricket at TTCC HERE

JUNIOR fencers From Thame Duellists Fencing Club competed in the British Fencing Youth Championships in Sheffield over the recent Bank Holiday weekend.

The event, the centrepeice of the the season for under 18s fencing, took place at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Hal Seed, competing in his third British Championships, finished tenth in his age group in the épée discipline on the Saturday and followed that up with a twenty-fifth place finish in the foil event on Sunday.

His top ten finish after a hard day of competition in the epee event could have been even higher. He was eventually knocked out at the last-16 stage, losing 15-14 in an incredibly tight fight which could have gone either way. The only down side to his épée success was that some of his foil opponents on Sunday had not competed in the heat of Saturday’s épée event and so were fresher than he was in the foil competition.

His sister, Rebekah Seed, secured 36th place in the foil competition for her age group. Her performance, in her first British Championships, got stronger through the day; she ended up with three wins out of six in the group stage of her event, despite being drawn in a group containing two opponents who had already represented their country.

Club coach, James Kingston, said: “Over the course of the two days, Hal showed real technical and tactical awareness under pressure. During his final épée bout he was sporting enough to acknowledge an invalid hit that the referee had not spotted properly and would otherwise have awarded to him, which really impressed me. A top ten finish, his best ever British Champs result, was a great reward.

“Rebekah showed that she was also capable of working out how to deal with more experienced opposition as well as the resilience to come back from a really tough start to the day, having to fence two opponents who went on to place in the top ten. I was very proud of both of them.”