SKIPPER Richard Sugden says that Himbleton must pick themselves up quickly, after a comprehensive nine-wicket loss to Barnt Green Seconds in Worcestershire County League Division Two.
The Meadow Boys were dismissed for just 90 in the 30th over, after a dismal display at the crease in which Alastair Pretty’s 40 was a rare highlight.
Barnt Green then required just 15 overs to beat the total set, much in part to the unbeaten stand of 59 between Henry Cullen (47no) and Ethan Holmes (30no).
Sugden wasted little time in making his feelings known about the performance, and said: “It was a seriously bad day at the office for us – we know that we can perform significantly better than that.
“Our batsmen need to demonstrate better application at the crease.
“I was really pleased with the way Ali Pretty batted – he demonstrated how to skilfully build an innings, but it was hugely disappointing that he had little support”
Opener Jon Critchlow (14) was caught out by Holmes from a Neylan Chauhan delivery, while Sugden (4) fell lbw to Tariq Malakhel.
Sean Jenkins (0) was also trapped lbw by Malakhel from the very next ball, while Jamie Alford (1) was lost cheaply.
Alastair and Richard Pretty’s fifth-wicket partnership of 22 proved the best combination that the visitors could muster during their innings, with the latter dismissed by Daniel Meredith.
From a Barnt Green perspective, the match soon turned into the Ben Dunn (5-29) show, after the bowler skittled out Himbleton.
He took the final five wickets, including the final two in succession, to finish off the visitors.
Himbleton needed early wickets to stand a chance of victory, but they were instead subjected to an opening stand of 34 between Harrison Moncrieffe (12) – who was bowled by Greg Dale – and Cullen.
Number three Holmes then joined Cullen at the crease, as the pair smashed their side to victory from the following 49 balls.
Defeat marks an opportunity missed for the Meadow Boys, who were just 18 points adrift behind Barnt Green before the match, with The Green rising to third and Himbleton sitting in seventh.
Himbleton hope to rise back up the table when hosting ninth-placed Astwood Bank Seconds on Saturday (1pm).
