HIMBLETON’S struggles continue after losing a rain-hit encounter at Kidderminster in Worcestershire County League Division Two.
Alastair Pretty’s (52) half-century provided a highlight after Himbleton batted their way to a 212-9 total, before the intervention of rain resulted in a revised target of 196 for the hosts.
Kidderminster managed a win by the skin of their teeth, reached the required total with just two balls remaining to an eighth loss of the campaign.
Batting first after the hosts elected to field, the Meadow Boys lost Stuart Dickenson (1) early on but recovered with a partnership of 62 between Jon Critchlow (25) and Pretty to establish a foundation of runs to build on.
Sean Jenkins (0) was bowled by Lewis Stainforth shortly after the dismissal of Critchlow, but Pretty regained momentum with a stand of 40 with number five William Godwin (29).
Himbleton’s talisman was trapped lbw by Gomez Vincent (3-28) for the fourth wicket, while Godwin was the next to head for the pavilion at 142-5 when caught by William Hyde off a Joe Miszkowski (3-40) delivery.
Four more wickets fell in quick succession shortly after, though Sam Jenkins (30no) and Greg Dale (12no) hit an unbeaten partnership of 48 to end the innings on a high.
With Kidderminster having a lower total to bat towards from their 40 overs, Himbleton needed early wickets and started brightly when Steve Small (2) was dismissed lbw by Greg Dale.
While the wickets continued to fall, Kidderminster’s run rate did not slow as the hosts crept towards the required total.
A stand of 53 by middle order duo James Williams (29) and Lewis Stainforth (36) did no harm to the hosts’ cause, but it was the seventh-wicket partnership of 60 between William Hyde (23) and Ryan Field (38no) that proved most fatal.
While Hyde was trapped lbw by Sam Jenkins at 195-7 with three balls remaining, number nine Josh Tidmarsh (1no) hit the winning run to earn his side victory.
The Meadow Boys hope to earn a win for atone for the previous disappointment, and go up against Halesowen Seconds on Saturday (1pm).
