HIMBLETON suffered their fourth consecutive defeat at the weekend as Worcestershire County League Division Three leaders Harborne showed their strength in a seven-wicket win.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, a solid opening partnership from Jon Critchlow and Stu Dickenson looked to have given the Meadow Boys a positive start but when Dickenson went for 11 with the score on 43, their fragile top order was open to the elements once more.
The luckless Pretty twins both had decisions that were hard to take as Ali (9) and Richard (1) were both adjudged LBW to leave Himbleton in trouble at 70-3 from 20 overs.
Sean Jenkins built a partnership of 74 with Critchlow to give Himbleton a respectable score of 143–3 before Critchlow made one single mistake in his back to his best innings of 69 and was caught at deep square.
Mike Rogers lasted three balls before he was caught behind without scoring and in the next over Jenkins was bowled for a confidence boosting 47.
Jamie Alford attempted to defend the tail but with wickets falling around him his no-nonsense approach saw him stumped for 15 and Himbleton bowled out for only 176.
In reply Harborne made a solid start as Himbleton’s opening attack went hard.
Alford saw some rewards for his efforts as he had Sam Sherwen (5) caught by Alex Grimley with the score on 32.
The introduction of Ben Langdell secured the win for the visitors as his unflustered innings of 35 steadied Harborne’s reply.
His partner Ian Powick scored a strong 42 before George Clifton up rooted his middle stump with the score on 92.
Harborne eased their way to victory from this point with Jamie Hall (39) taking advantage of some gentle bowling from Jenkins and Critchlow before Mike Rogers cleaned him up for a deserved wicket.
Harborne went on to reach their target with 15 overs to spare with the help of an unbeaten 18 from Greg Adams.
Himbleton find themselves in a relegation battle now and their next game away to Ross-on-Wye tomorrow has become a must-win match as they sit just 34 points above the drop zone.
