Harvington in title hunt after triumph (From Evesham Journal)

Harvington in title hunt after triumph

2:10pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in Sport

HARVINGTON kept up the pressure on Worcestershire League Division Three leaders Cookley with a 140-run defeat of Himley.

Having set their opponents 222 to win, the hosts rattled through the Himley order to dismiss them for just 81 and move themselves three points behind Cookley and level on 198 with secondplaced Birlingham.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Harvington steadily accumulated runs despite the early loss of Dave Waters for two.

Jo Venter (44) and James Towey (40) were the main contributors with Jaimen Rudd (27) and Andrew Fisher (19) also chipping in as Harvington finished on 221-9.

In reply, overseas player Venter took three quick wickets to leave Himley on 30-3. Spin then took over with slow left-armer Rudd turning the ball profusely for 5-32 off 9.2 overs, while wicketkeeper Pete Smith claimed two stumpings.

Leg-spinner Jamie Anderson chipped in with a wicket as Himley were dismissed for 81 to give Harvington the maximum 24 points.

Harvington seconds suffered a disappointing threewicket defeat at Himley fourths, as they collapsed from 200-3 to 230 all out in the process.

There were half-centuries for both skipper Mark Onens and Luke Fisher but Himley reached their victory target seven wickets down, Dave Moulson claiming three victims.

The Sunday side had a comfortable 113-run victory over Coventry Barbarians, in which 16-year-old Dan Colburn hit a maiden century of 110 in his side’s 226-8.

• The Lenches continued their recent good form in Cotswold Hills League Division Two with a fivewicket win over Rowington.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the visitors were pinned back by opening bowlers Ed Cottrill and captain Alan White (3-25) and were bowled out for 160.

Charlie Brooks also took 4-29.

The Lenches got off to a bad start, losing Steve Protherough early on for four and struggling at 30-2 after 12 overs.

But White and Pete Williams then put on an excellent stand of 64 before the latter departed two short of his 50.

The skipper continued his recent good form with both bat and ball and, despite losing a couple more wickets, White saw his side home unbeaten on 64.