HIMBLETON suffered their third Worcestershire County League Division Three loss in as many games on Saturday as they were comfortably beaten by Malvern at the Meadow Ground by 85 runs.
The visitors batted first in season long poor conditions and made a par score of 206 all out.
Max White (49) and Anthony Arnold (73) put on 95 for the first wicket as they took a liking to the opening attack of Mike Rogers and Sammy Jenkins.
Stand in captain Stu Dickenson changed the speed of his attack and the slow nature of Ronnie Guy and Jon Critchlow brought the Meadow Boys back into the game.
Guy bowled superbly in a ten over spell that saw the run rate drop from nine down to a manageable three runs per over and also saw him pick up three deserved wickets, including an athletic catch from Critchlow at deep mid-on.
Critchlow also picked up three wickets from his spell which enabled the home side to claw their way back into the game at 150-6 but sensible batting from Neil Thompson (21) and Rob Perrins (14) saw the visitors climb past the 200 mark.
In reply Himbleton’s depleted batting line up struggled from the start.
Ashton Greenwood scored only one, with his opening partner Luke Brace spending time at the crease but failing to turn it into runs as he scored only 13.
Sean Jenkins (13), Stu Dickenson (2) and Mike Rogers (12) all failed to add a fair amount of runs to the Meadow Boys’ tally.
Critchlow and James Priddey looked to rebuild but when the latter was removed for 15, victory for Malvern was in sight.
Kent went first ball, Critchlow (42) appeared to have been unfortunate to be adjudged LBW and then the pressure was too much for Clifton and Guy as three balls was enough to take the remaining two wickets, bowling out Himbleton just 119.
Himbleton will look to reverse their poor mid-season form and move away from the relegation zone this weekend as they welcome league leaders Harborne.
