A Captain's display from Rob Brooks helped Thame Town hang on for a draw at home to newly-promoted Thatcham on Saturday in the Home Counties Premier League Division 2.

Brooks followed a six-wicket display with the ball, by making a rearguard unbeaten 43 as Thame battled to 101-9 by the close in reply to Thatcham's 194.

Having put their opponents in to bat, Thame's seamers did not have much luck before lunch, when Thatcham were 86-2.

After the break, Thame turned to the experience of Brooks in the belated absence of the new overseas Jaydepp Bhatti, who failed to travel on Thursday due to personal reasons.

Brooks bowled an accurate and patient spell to finish with 6-32 off of 16 overs as Thatcham were bowled out for 194 in 59 overs.

Thame's reply suffered too many early setbacks to challenge what proved to be a good total on the pitch that was becoming more helpful for bowlers.

Accurate spells from Andy Harland and former Pakistan Test player Ali Naqvi ripped the heart out of the Thame top order.

A partnership of 35 runs - but more importantly 50 minutes - between Brooks and Mitchell Meredith helped to save the match in a nail-biting finish.