HIMBLETON lost their first home game of the season as they lost in comprehensive style to Chaddesley Corbett.
More than 200 turned out for the encounter on Saturday as Himbleton attempted to maintain their place at the top of Division Three of the Worcestershire County League.
However, the majority of them left disappointed as Chaddesley comfortably reached Himbleton’s target of 237, with seven wickets to spare.
After winning the toss, Himbleton looked to be positive and their game plan started to perfection.
Captain Jon Critchlow and Stu Dickenson made easy work of the medium pace of Muhammad Saddiq and Chris Mole as they raced to 60 from only six overs.
The in-form Critchlow was the first of the day’s wickets as he unfortunately played onto his stumps.
With Ali Pretty replacing Critchlow, and Dickenson racing to his fifth half century of the season in quick time, Himbleton looked well placed for another huge total as at 20 overs they were on 112-1.
However, once the pace was taken off the ball, Himbleton struggled to maintain their high run rate and a steady flow of wickets began.
Dickenson was caught for 56, before Ali Pretty (20) and Sean Jenkins (11) both played too early and a leading edge resulted in their demise.
Jamie Alford played an aggressive 32, but when he was removed Himbleton were suddenly in desperate trouble on 162-5 from 31 overs.
Rogers was run out for a swift 22 and with it went any chances of the hosts reaching a competitive total.
Ricky Pretty soon followed as he received the ball of the day and was caught behind the wicket for 11 to leave the tail with the task of collecting as many extra runs as possible.
But their cause was not helped by a moment of madness from George Clifton who ran himself out without facing a ball.
Robbie Guy became the third run out of the day before Alex Grimsley’s wicket was the last one to fall as Himbleton had to settle for a bellow par 236.
And Chaddesley took little time in chasing down the total as the opening pair of Tahseel Ammdzia and Zakria Mukhtar took a fancy to Sammy Jenkins, Alford and Rogers’ pace.
Their superb shot selection and ability to beat the infield made bowling tough as they reached 100 in only 14 overs.
Ronnie Guy showed some experience as his introduction slowed the game down and picked up the first wicket of Ammdzia for 48.
Clifton also bowled a brilliant spell, which deservedly saw him take the prized wicket of Muktar for 50. But this failed to derail Chaddesley who quickly brought up 200.
Asif Iqbal fell to a clever piece of bowling by Sean Jenkins, but the damage had been done and Matthew Yardley saw his side home with ease.