HIMBLETON increased their lead at the top of Division Three of the Worcestershire County League after a superb nine-wicket victory over Cleobury Mortimer.
The visitors were simply blown away at Harrow Lane as the bowling of Jamie Alford (3-28), Mike Rogers (4-9) and Paul Guy (2-6) left Himbleton needing just 127 for victory.
And their batsman rose to the challenge as the in-form Jon Critchlow and Alastair Pretty steered the Meadow Boys to an emphatic victory.
Rogers and Guy received the plaudits for their impressive performances with the ball, but it was Alford who collected the prized wicket of Ben Griffiths as Ali Pretty took a brilliant diving catch to his left.
Alford asked questions all day as his aggressive attitude proved too difficult to handle on a soft wicket. He followed up his first wicket by having James Manney caught by Stu Dickenson before a clever change of pace ensured a more simple chance for Pretty, removing David Shorter.
At 30-3, Cleobury looked to rebuild but a yorker from George Clifton took the leg stump of Edward Lewis, followed up by four quick wickets by Rogers ripped the heart of out Cleobury’s efforts.
Rogers first had captain Nick Griffiths bowled with a slower ball before repeating the trick to remove Green in identical circumstances.
Ronnie Guy replaced Clifton and took little time in joining in on the wicket trail as he picked up two before Rogers cleaned up the tail with a straight and full approach.
Critchlow made the visitors go straight back out before stopping for tea and both Dickenson and himself looked anxious to beat the weather to the total.
But their anxiety did not disrupt their batting as Critchlow went on the attack, while Dickenson looked back to his best before he received the ball of the day and nicked one to slip for 18. Pretty finished with a delightful 43 not out as his and Himbleton’s form continues.
