HIMBLETON’s attempts at securing their first victory of the Worcestershire League Division Three campaign was again hampered by the weather at the weekend.
The club fell frustratingly short of facing the required overs that would have secured them their win with their superior run rate.
Old Vigornians made first use of an excellent wicket at Peopleton Community Sports Ground and made a score of 307–8 from their 50 overs.
Osman Fiaz top scored with a fantastically fluent 147 with Chris Drew second top score with 30 runs.
Wickets were hard to come by for the Meadow Boys with Ronnie Guy and George Clifton the stand out performers with the ball.
Rickey Pretty was the star for the fielding side as he was involved with three amazing run outs, two with direct hits before Jem Rose topped Pretty’s efforts with a direct hit at one stump to bring about the fourth run out.
Pretty had the last laugh over Rose as he took two difficult catches in the deep to prove his value to the side as Himbleton’s bowlers did a decent job.
George Clifton went without wickets or luck but his superb figures of eight overs for only 27 runs gives great promise to his teams chances of surviving from relegation this season.
In reply Jon Critchlow and Stu Dickenson took little time in reaching their eighth successive 50 partnership.
It took the opening pair less than four overs with both Critchlow and Dickenson regularly hitting boundaries.
Dickenson hit the shot of the day as he pulled Jabba Riaz for a huge maximum before Critchlow took 28 off of Fahy’s third over.
Himbleton were flying at 81–0 from only seven overs but with rain in the air, Dickenson and his captain looked to put their foot down even more.
However, Dickenson (36) lost his shape on an aggressive drive as he was caught at mid off before Critchlow (42) was bowled by the impressive Azmat Riaz to put Himbleton on 82–2.
The Pretty twins looked to continue with the high rate of scoring but when the rain became too much for safe play the umpires brought the players off with the score on 98–2 from only 12 overs.
No further play occurred and the points were shared.
Himbleton look to register their first win on Saturday as a full strength side entertain Rushwick at the Meadow Ground.
