HIMBLETON suffered their first Worcestershire County League Division Three defeat of the season as they lost a hard-fought battle against Alvechurch & Hopwood by four wickets.
Batting first, the Meadow Boys’ attack failed for the first time as they crumbled from 76-2 to 143 all out with only skipper Stu Dickenson (39) making any contribution of note.
Alastair Pretty (29) and Jamie Alford (24) were the only other players to hit double figures for the hosts.
In reply, Himbleton took early wickets but the small total was reached with minimum amount of worry as Eli Rodgers (64 not out) proved to be the main stay of the visitors’ innings.
There was one positive though as debutant Greg Dale took three wickets for 38 runs from his eight-over spell.
Skipper Dickenson said: “It was a hard defeat to take as we were more than a match for our visitors.
“However, our batting let us down against an average attack – it was a poor display.
“But I’m very proud of the effort from the bowlers.
“It could have been a different result if some marginal decisions had gone our way.
Himbleton will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways tomorrow on Saturday when they travel to Astwood Bank Thirds.
Rob Perrins, who has joined the Meadow Boys from Malvern, is expected to start while opening batsmen Jon Critchlow returns.
