HIMBLETON made it five Worcestershire County League Division Three wins on the spin after a comfortable 114-run victory at Five Ways Old Edwardians.
Captain Stuart Dickenson had a day to remember as he guided his young side to perfection all day, even taking the bold decision to bat first on what looked a greasy and green wicket.
With the openers having to work hard for their runs, Richard Pretty excelled in his innings of 39 but his opening partner Jon Critchlow wasn’t able to get going as the going was tough and he fell in soft circumstances after chipping to cover for only five.
The Pretty twins rebuilt with Alistair (51) making his seventh successive half century before Sean Jenkins’ good form continued too as he scored the match defining innings of 66.
Jenkins was aggressive with his running and positive with his stroke play and formed a good partnership with Jamie Alford before he was brilliantly caught at point with the score on 188-4.
Alford (17) was unable to re-adjust with a new partner and inexcusably ran his captain out for only five runs and then made the vital error of not going on to make a score himself to make amends.
Himbleton were potentially at risk of ruining a good start with the score on 206-6 but Ron Perrins and Sammy Jenkins both scored 23 vital runs towards the end of the innings as they reached 270-8 after 50 overs.
In reply Himbleton took regular wickets and checked any forward march towards the total.
Dickenson set clever fields and used his bowlers intelligently in the conditions and never allowed them to take their foot off the gas once they made in-roads.
Greg Dale (4-39) was the pick of the bowlers as he bowled with an aggression which the home side could not cope with.
If it had not been for dropped catches by Critchlow, he should have claimed five wickets in the match.
Dickenson’s ability to read an opponent’s strengths was the final factor in the day’s play as his unorthodox field setting rewarded Alford with 2-27.
George Clifton and Sean Jenkins picked up one wicket each and with a run out to match Himbleton’s effort, the visitors wrapped up the game in the 39th over.
The Meadow Boys’ victory ensured they opened up a 29-point gap between themselves and third placed Bartestree & Lugwardine.
Dickenson’s side host table-topping Kempsey on Saturday.
