MIKE Rogers’ six-wicket haul was in vain after Himbleton lost out by 139 runs against visitors Ombersley Seconds in Worcestershire County League Division Two.
The Meadow Boys have nevertheless confirmed their status, with their five points combined with results elsewhere meaning their final match at Bartestree & Lugwardine on Saturday (12.30pm) is a dead rubber.
Batting first, Ombersley lost Tom Oakley (4) early on before a second-wicket partnership of 64 between Dominic D’Oliveira (38) and Declan Lines (35) got the visitors up and running. Rogers (6-54) skittled out both batsmen, also adding Jake Howl (3) to his list of victims.
He was forced to be patient before taking his next wicket however, following a stand of 120 between George Baldwin (41) and Ryan D’Oliveira (95).
But after dismissing the former to leave the score 206-5, the latter followed soon after.
Ombersley were unable to recapture their earlier form after a poor showing from the middle-to-late order, but still clambered their way to finish on 245.
The hosts struggled in reply, slipping to 31-4, with Ombersley bowler Henry Wilde (3-15) one of the key figures in causing Himbleton’s eventual demise.
Middle-order duo Mike Rogers (18) and Jamie Alford (24) put together a fifth-wicket partnership of 33 to least provide the Meadow Boys with some much-needed runs.
But with number eight Luke Brace (11) the only batsman able to reach double figures in the lower order, the hosts crashed to 106 all out.
Tom Wilde finished with 4-43, taking the final wicket, to condemn Himbleton to defeat.
