First Team Beat Thame

Having won the toss, Shelvin Gumbs decided to take to the field on an extremely hot day offering the host first use of the pitch.

An early wicket from Mo Choudhry saw Thame Town reduced to 1-1 and soon after ahe grabbed a second as our hosts fell to 21-2. Thame Town then applied themselves very well and went to lunch at 92-2, however we forced them to work hard against the opening spells from David Brent and Choudhry who both bowled very well.

Resuming after lunch, Rory Criddle had Michael Beard caught at first slip by Gumbs to reduce Thame Town to 92-3. With the wicket offering support to the spinners, it was now left to Michael Payne (4 wickets), Gumbs (2 wickets) and Criddle to bowl out our hosts for 199.

There was no surprise that Thame Town opened the bowling with spin. Andy Dixon opened the batting with AJ Woodland and he was the first dismissed LBW by Michael Higgs for 14. Woodland and Payne made an equal partnership of 29, before the former was out stumped on 20 as we slipped to 59-2.

Captain Gumbs and Liam Gough fell soon after as we were reduced to 58-4. Brent joined Payne and the pair batted very well adding 42 before Payne was caught at the wicket. The countdown was very tense as the wicket continued to offer assistance to the spinners, but Brent found great support from the lower order in Jack Rodnight (11), Jeremy O’Neill (15) and the ever steady Rory Criddle (32*) with Brent ending of 55* as we reached the target with three wickets remaining.

We are now in fourth place in the league, 34 points behind leaders Slough. The league now changes back to the 50/50 format for the remaining four matches. Next weekend we take on second place Aston Rowant at London Road.