HIMBLETON run-machine Jon Critchlow has scooped a new Fearnley bat after being crowned the Worcester News cricketer of the year.

The 31-year-old opening batsman enjoyed a champagne summer, hitting five centuries and scoring 960 runs at an average of 96 in Worcestershire League Division Three.

Critchlow compiled a top score of 187 and twice clinched the Worcester News’ player of the week accolade during the season, winning a £25 Fearnley Factory Shop voucher on each occasion.

The only disappointment for Critchlow, who is also club chairman, was Himbleton’s last-day failure to achieve promotion to Division Two for their first in time in their history.

Critchlow’s appearances were restricted due to his wedding in the middle of the season and his rugby commitments with Bromsgrove at the end.

He said: “It was the best season I have had as a player and it was a case of getting out early or going on to make some big scores.

“I made a couple of low scores but I had never before scored more than two league centuries in the same season – so it was nice to score five - and it was definitely my best season to date.

“We lost to Alvechurch & Hopwood on the last day and, as it happened, we would have gained promotion had we drawn the game because we finished just three points adrift of second-placed Chaddesley Corbett.

“But we got put in to bat on a bowler-friendly pitch and we didn’t get enough runs.

“It was disappointing not to finish in the top two but the ranking of the sides in the top three was probably right because we lost the four matches we played against the top two.

He added: “It’s probably an advantage playing 50 per cent of our matches at Himbleton because the straight boundaries are short and the pitch is excellent.

“It was a very enjoyable season with the second team finishing fourth in their division.”

Critchlow, who celebrates his 32nd birthday on October 30, picked up the batting award in Himbleton’s end-of-season presentation evening at The Chequers Inn at Fladbury.

Mike Rogers snapped up the bowling award and Ali Pretty was the players’ player of the year.

Critchlow said: “I have been at Himbleton Cricket Club since I was 10 and it was 17th season of first-team cricket at the club.

“The plan is to continue as captain and chairman of Himbleton next season.

“I hope to play more games next season because I missed six matches during the summer due to getting married and playing rugby.”