Brickhill miss out on the title with Thame defeat

Great Brickhill’s title chances went up in smoke on Saturday as they lost what ultimately turned out to be the title decider to Thame Town.

With the top two in Cherwell’s Division 1 going head to head with three games to go, the winner would most likely go on to claim the crown - and Thame’s comfortable 59 run win saw them clinch the title with two weeks to spare.

Three wickets apiece for Iqbal John and Ahad Khan helped restrict the home side and champions elect to 227-9, which certainly looked within Brickhill’s range.

But opening bowler Jarryd McPhee( 3-45) started well in removing both Mark Nelson (32) and Nick Cadman (2) early on, leaving the visitors facing an uphill task.

There were starts in the middle order, but with wickets falling regularly, particularly to Hassam Mushtaq (4-37), Brickhill’s charge was halted in it’s tracks.

The final wicket fell with Graeme Carter’s side on 168, giving Thame all 25 points. And with two games remaining, they are now out of Brickhill’s reach, 53 points clear.

Great Brickhill 2nds returned to the top of Division 4 with two weeks to go though, beating Witney Mills by six wickets.

Daniel Swindells scored 135 for the visitors as they set a massive 268-7.

But Adam Boad’s 56 got Brickhill off to a great start, while Greg MacDonald (76no) and Jilesh Pattni (75) did the grunt work as the home side (269-4) returned to top spot.