HIMBLETON are not yet clear of the Worcestershire County League Division Two drop zone after falling to their tenth loss of the season at home to second-placed Lye.
It was the Meadow Boys’ second defeat in succession, and one that was always likely after the visitors reached 299 all out.
A dismal time at the crease followed for Himbleton, who were dismissed for a mere 80 runs from 27 overs.
The Meadow Boys are 33 points outside the relegation zone at present in ninth, and go in search of a result at sixth-placed Enville on Saturday (1pm) to confirm their survival.
After being put into bat last weekend, Lye shook off a slow start to show the qualities that have kept them near the summit of the table all season long.
Rob Perrins ran out Iftikhar Afzal (11), before a couple of wickets shared between brothers Sam (3-75) and Sean Jenkins (1-44) reduced the visitors to 96-3.
Gurpreet Singh (21) and Faisal Mahmood (65) put together a stand of 85 to boost their side’s position, though the dismissals of three middle-order batsmen threatened to derail their chances.
Lye battled on and fell just short of the 300-run mark when hot shot Waqas Ahmed (89) and Ansar Mahmood (0) both fell in succession to end the innings.
Perrins (2-63) and Tom Godwin (2-32) took two wickets each.
After slipping to 42-3 in reply, Himbleton were not necessarily out of the game, but they couldn’t find the support to top-order batsman Sean Jenkins (26).
Ahmed further tormented the hosts by taking four wickets for eight runs and bowling five maidens in his eight overs to add to his earlier exploits at the crease.
