SKIPPER Stuart Dickenson heaped praise on Himbleton after they pulled off a remarkable run chase to down Old Vigornians by three wickets in Worcestershire County League Division Two.
Chasing 291 to win, the Meadow Boys looked in trouble at 140-4 as Dickenson (59) was dismissed having led the charge to the halfway point with 11 boundaries and a six.
But having being called up on the morning of the game, Steve Beavan (59 not out) used his experience to hold the innings together and build steadily towards the target.
He was more than ably supported by first Jamie Alford (27) and then the explosive Matt Handford (50 off 34 balls) with stands of 56 and 78 respectively.
Some 45 runs were still needed off the last four overs and Handford in particular took advantage of anything loose striking five boundaries and two sixes in a match winning innings.
The game was won at the end of the 49th over with a one ball boundary cameo from Rob Perrins.
Earlier in the day, Old Vigornians had posted an impressive 290-6.
The mainstay of the innings was Yorkshireman Richard Geary (104) who struck a classy century.
Steve Campbell-Ferguson (52) helped Geary put on 116 for the fourth wicket before the returning Nick Major (53) blasted a quickfire half century from 28 balls.
It wasn’t a day to be a bowler but the visitor’s Azmat Riaz and Edward Burgoyne both managed to go for less than four an over among the carnage.
Dickenson said: “It was a magnificent game of cricket.
“Both teams played hard and fair and gave everything on another hot day.
“The advantage in the game kept swinging and it was only in the last two overs where the result could really be predicted.
“I’m chuffed for Steve Beavan and Matt Handford who both played superbly.
“Steve came in for Ali Pretty in the morning and he certainly didn’t let us down.
“To win any game chasing a big total is a challenge but they way we responded having been five down for 150 was brilliant.”
