Thame Tamed

“Baloo the Jugster” returned home on Saturday after two away games. With the presence of low clouds and overcast conditions, Shelvin Gumbs won the toss and had no hesitation in inviting our visitors Thame Town to bat. After negotiating the opening overs, our visitors lost their first wicket in the fourth over with Simon Stanway dismissing Richard Straughan with the score on 19.

Stanway and new ball partner David Brent bowled an excellent early spell creating pressure together. The pair bowled the first 12 overs removing three of the host wickets and only conceding 36 runs, with Stanway’s opening spell of 2-12 leading the way.

With the weather heating up, Captain Gumbs made a double bowling change bringing on Andy Harris and AJ Woodland. This partnership was equally as economical with the pair bowling 13 overs and taking 2 for 31, with Harris conceding only 17 runs from his eight overs.

Wicket-keeper Steve Dutch was having an excellent day behind the stumps. The young gloveman was showing great confidence by standing up to our seam attack and forcing the batsman in the crease which resulted in him catching three of the opening four batsman.

Our spin attack of Rory Criddle and Michael Payne were now introduced as captain Gumbs looked to take control of the middle to late overs. Criddle bowled through his 10 overs taking 3 for 23 in an excellent spell of bowling. Payne’s spell was no less impressive as he ended with 2 for 26 from 9.1.

Thame Town’s middle to lower order continued to battle but the tight bowling from all our bowlers, equally backed up in the fielding meant we kept picking up wickets. Leading the way was Dutch who took a hugely impressive five catches behind the stumps as our visitors were bowled out for 124 inside 47 overs.

After a delicious and enjoyable lunch, our usual opening pair of Woodland and Liam Gough opened against a mixed seam and spin Thame Town attack and there were no accidents this week with players falling over. The pair took the score to 12 before Gough was caught & bowled in the sixth over.

Woodland was then joined by Sheridon Gumbs and five overs later by Andy Dixon. Both Gumbs and Dixon was short lived at the crease and Woodland had a new partner in Michael Payne in the 15th over. The pair batted well together putting on 81 before Payne fell for 40. It was left to Woodland and the captain Gumbs to finish off the chase with a partnership of 22 which resulted in us winning by six wickets. The ever steady Woodland carrying his bat with a match winning innings of 68.

We are now up to fifth place in the table, 18 points behind leaders High Wycombe.