JON CRITCHLOW racked up a career-best 187 as he almost single-handily secured Himbleton a thumping victory over Alveley at the Meadow Ground.
As well as playing a huge role in his side’s innings of 403, Critchlow also claimed two wickets and a catch as Alveley struggled to find a response.
The visitors fell 231 runs short of Himbleton’s target as Critchlow’s men claimed a 24-point haul to move to third in the Worcestershire County League Division Three table.
Critchlow missed last weekend’s impressive win at Avoncroft, but he did not look like he had been away as he quickly stamped his authority on the match. His opening partner Stu Dickenson also took little time to get going as he raced to 48 from just ten overs before he fell to Neil Turford took his man. This also broke a partnership of 98 with Critchlow, but Himbleton’s captain was in no mood to give up his wicket as he drove with style and played back foot shots with control and grace.
Ali Pretty (33) sensibly rotated the strike to allow Critchlow to flourish but unfortunately found the one fielder in the deep when he looked to push the rate as his confidence grew.
Sean Jenkins made 27 before being caught at long on to leave Himbleton on 315–3 from 40 overs. Critchlow reached his century with successive boundaries before the inform Ricky Pretty received the ball of the day and fell for only one run.
Critchlow’s incredible innings finally came to an end in the 47th over when he too was caught in the deep with his side of 362–6.
Mike Rogers (38 not out) and Sammy Jenkins (14no) both played nice cameos to push the total to 404 — the highest in the league this season.
And Himbleton continued their momentum with the ball as Sammy Jenkins took the first Alveley wicket in only his second over when he bowled Chris Parkes for only eight runs.
After losing Will Rodenhurst for nine, the visitors put together a third-wicket partnership of 40 runs, but George Clifton changed the game in a matter of two balls.
Clifton bowled Robert Twigg for 18 before a brilliant piece of fielding at the start of the next over resulted in a direct hit with only one stump to aim at to run out Aaron Taylor.
Critchlow then got in on the act as he took a sharp catch to remove Jimmy Glazer before picking up two wickets.
Debutant Ali Garner took his first wicket for the club before Rogers quickly wrapped up the game to dismiss Alveley for 172.
