SKIPPER Stuart Dickenson has called on Himbleton to turn their luck around after falling to a five-wicket defeat to rivals Belbroughton in Worcestershire County League Division Two.
The Meadow Boys were left licking their wounds as they lost a breathless game last Saturday after Belbroughton chased down a revised total of 239 in 45 overs.
Himbleton’s total of 247-8 was built around a 110-run partnership between Ali Pretty (60) and Sean Jenkins (55) who batted sensibly on a slow wicket after opener Richard Sugden (47) had set the foundations.
At 40 overs Dickenson’s side were well set at 180-2 but the loss of Pretty and Jenkins in three balls meant the innings lost its impetus and it was left to the stylish Mike Rogers (37 not out), hitting three successive sixes in a fabulous cameo, to drag the visitors to a competitive total.
Belbroughton were brutal at the start of their innings, seemingly intent on finishing the game as quickly as possible.
Skipper Ross Parker (67) carved his way to a rapid half century finding the gaps with a mixture of skill and luck.
As half chances went begging, Himbleton found themselves on the end of an opening partnership which raced to 95 in just nine overs.
A rain delay found the hosts chasing a revised total and they made steady progress against a combative and probing Himbleton attack.
Wickets fell steadily and Himbleton were always in the game, thanks mainly to the accuracy of Mike Rogers (2-30) who was the pick of the bowlers beating the outside edge on numerous occasions.
But Belbroughton’s middle order chipped away, slowly benefiting from their openers’ blazing start to see the hosts home with two overs to spare.
“Defeat was hard to take as I thought we’d played well enough to win,” said Dickenson.
“We probably left 20 or 30 runs out there when we batted.
“Losing Ali and Sean together was a blow but they both batted superbly.
“Mike Rogers was magnificent with bat and ball – he’s such a key part of this team.
“I can’t knock the lads for effort, everyone’s giving everything but we’re missing out by small margins in all of our games.
“We just need to find a way to turn these margins in our favour.”
Himbleton host league leaders Bromyard on Saturday hoping to cause an upset.