THE DIVISION Three title remains firmly in Himbleton’s sights in the Worcestershire County League as they eased to a comfortable eight-wicket win at Avoncroft.
The star of the show for the Meadow Boys was captain Jon Critchlow who continued his impressive form with the bat this season with 131 not out.
Critchlow was partnered by Alastair Pretty, who notched up a half century, as Himbleton swept to victory – chasing down 221 with more than 20 overs to spare.
After winning the toss and electing to put Avoncroft into bat, Mike Rogers bowled with aggression and threatened on numerous occasions to take the opening wicket.
But that honour went to Himbleton’s talisman Sammy Jenkins who caught and bowled Andy Nicol.
George Clifton replaced Rogers and immediately brought reward to his side as he picked up three key wickets in a six overs spell that put Himbleton very much in control of the game.
First he had David James trapped LBW for 24, before cleaning up Warwick with a delightful yorker and then having the luck his efforts deserved with a full ball hit straight to Ali Pretty at mid-on.
With Avoncroft struggling at 74-4 Critchlow brought himself on and soon found some turn on a dry wicket. Jem Rose ably supported his captain and picked up the wicket of Ingle before Himbleton’s leader took the centre stage in the game.
He brilliantly caught Alex Brunt at deep mid-on from the bowling of Jamie Alford before turning wicket taker himself as he picked up 2-26 in eight overs as Avoncroft crept past 200
Paul Athey showed his experience as he calmly scored at a run a ball to give his side a score to bowl at as they finished on 220 all out.
However, Himbleton started the reply well as Critchlow put last week’s poor performance behind him as he scored regular boundaries against the new ball.
Athey did give Avoncroft the early advantage as he removed the inform Stu Dickenson for eight. But Pretty replaced Dickenson and showed his class in a match winning 177 run partnership for the second wicket.
Pretty’s elegance and Critchlow aggression complement Himbleton’s top order well and Avoncroft struggled to find lengths suitable for both.
Critchlow reached his fourth century of the season with back-to-back boundaries as he guided his league leading side home with little concern.
Pretty was unfortunate not to have been with his captain at the end as he was brilliantly caught by James Barber for 56 which left the honour of scoring the winning runs to Rogers who finished with five not out, securing the win in the 35th over.
