LEADERS Himbleton continued their promotion push in Division Three of the Worcestershire County League with an emphatic 229-run win over struggling Aveley.
Captain Jon Critchlow was once again the star of the show with a unbeaten 166 and he was supported by an efficient all-round performance in the field from his team.
Asked to bat on a sticky wicket, it did not take long for Critchlow and opening partner Stuart Dickenson (37) to dominate the home attack.
The pair raced to 82 in the 15th over before Dickenson was dismissed by Harry Pitt (3-64) following a flurry of bludgeoned boundaries.
Critchlow was joined by Alastair Pretty and they remained on the front foot, with the former dispatching short balls with ferocity through square leg and cover.
The duo added 136 at a-run-a-ball before Pretty fell for 58 – his seventh score of over 50 in his last ten innings.
Critchlow completed his fifth hundred of the season – from only 11 innings – in the 40th over.
Having seen off the new ball and having played delightfully through the innings he had earned the right to plunder the last ten overs.
He found the perfect ally in Rich Pretty (35 not out) and they added 104 in the last eight overs to finish on an impressive 334-3.
The Alveley innings got off to an entertaining start with young Jamie Alford (3-42) bowling a 13 ball first over.
Unfortunately for opener Chris Parkes the middle legal delivery was an absolute peach, taking the edge to Dickenson at slip where he took a smart catch high to his right.
George Clifton (2-14) also took a wicket in his first over followed by Alford, picking up another in his next over.
At 20-3 the game was as good as dead and the Himbleton attack, weakened in the absence of veterans Mike Rogers and
Sam Jenkins, took full advantage of the conditions to dismiss Alveley for 105.
Only Jimmy Glazier (35 not out) stood tall amongst the carnage as Ronnie Guy (2-22) and Jem Rose (2-26) helped themselves to wickets supported by further fine catches from Dickenson and Critchlow.
