Batsmen battle as club climb to second (From Evesham Journal)

Batsmen battle as club climb to second

10:00am Thursday 9th August 2012 in Sport

HARVINGTON climbed into second place in Worcestershire League Division Three following a winning draw against Himbleton.

Batting first, Himbleton rode their luck after the dismissal of Jon Critchlow (30) as Duncan Roke was dropped before he had scored a run.

But he took advantage and went on to complete a superb unbeaten 157, including nine sixes, as the visitors piled up 299-6 in 50 overs. Ben Hawker picked up three wickets for Harvington.

In reply, after losing three overs to rain, Harvington had 47 overs to reach the winning draw target of 282.

Openers Dave Waters (56) and Andrew Fisher (58) looked comfortable before Jaimen Rudd gave the innings momentum with an aggressive 74.

It was left to Johannes Venter and Hawker to complete the winning draw as Harvington finished on 289-6, scoring 116 in the last 10 overs.

• The seconds stay bottom of Division Three after losing to Himbleton by 155 runs.

The hosts amassed 300-5 in 50 overs before dismissing Harvington for 151, with Trevor Knowles hitting 57.

•Harvington’s Sunday side defeated Alcester and Ragley by six wickets in a 30-over contest.

• The Lenches continued their good form with an emphatic 165-run win over Winchcombe in Cotswold Hills League Division Two.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat, The Lenches were 29-1 after 10 overs and 49-3 after 15.

Captain Alan White and Brian Williams steadied the ship before the former departed for 34 on 94-4.

From 162-5, after Williams went for 59, Tom Paul and Dave Turner saw the visitors to 257 all out after.

Winchcombe were bowled out for 92, Paul taking 3-23.