A LOW-SCORING affair involving Himbleton and Himley Seconds led to a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat for the Meadow Boys.
After opting to bat first, visitors Himbleton managed a measly 74 after being dismissed in the 29th over, before Himley sauntered their way to victory inside 27 overs in the Worcestershire County League Division Two encounter.
Stuart Dickenson (22) and Sean Jenkins (22) offered some reprieve for the visitors after openers Jon Critchlow (4) and captain Richard Sugden (0) were lost cheaply.
Their totals were as good as the innings got for Himbleton, with Himley bowler Daniel Jeavons a man possessed to finish with seven wickets for 35 runs off 14.5 overs.
Aiding him was Bilaal Hussain (3-15) who skittled several of the visitors’ middle order.
In reply, Himley opener Hasan Ahmed (28no) got the hosts up and running, and Jordan Whitehouse (15), Arunveer Bhogal (10) and Hussain (13no) kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Rob Perrins (2-27) tried in vain to cause a shock and limit the hosts after bowling four maidens during his nine-over spell, but the task was always likely to be a challenge too far for the Meadow Boys.
Himbleton now sit ninth, narrowly above the drop zone with four games remaining.
They lie fourth from bottom, 33 points clear of Brockhampton Seconds in the second relegation place, but just nine points separate sixth placed Bromsgrove Seconds and tenth-placed Halesowen Seconds.
Himbleton host second-placed Lye on Saturday (1pm).
