OVs climb to summit as rivals slip up

4:50pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

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OLD Vigornians had to settle for a draw in their Crusader Worcestershire League Division Four South clash with Himbleton.

However, as Tenbury’s match fell foul of the poor weather and Worcester Dominies surprisingly lost to Martley, the OVs climbed to the top of the table.

Himbleton won the toss, put the OVs into bat and Tom Weston and Osman Fiaz set about the bowling attack, mixing fluent cover drives and pulls with quick singles.

Himbleton, struggling with injuries, were not helped when Richard Pretty pulled up after the first ball of his second over with a side strain.

Daniel Brace took over the new ball and provided an element of control along with Sam Jenkins.

However, after a rain break of four overs, Weston and Fiaz decided to up the tempo in a partnership of 108 runs.

Although this was not as fluent an innings as he has played in previous weeks, Fiaz scored 45 valuable runs.

After Dave Mendham went quickly, Duncan Hughes joined Weston and the pair started to dominate the Himbleton bowling.

Hughes punished any wayward bowling in scoring 83. When Weston went for 78 after another century partnership, James Bader joined Hughes and played some fluent cover drives.

Once Hughes fell, Bader (34) was joined by Rowan Davison who decided to increase the pace of scoring. Davison smashed three sixes as the OVs posted a commanding 330 all out.

Davison then opened the bowling with Adam Phillips and the pair bowled with great control in increasingly poor conditions. Phillips removed Martin Preece and Alastair Pretty and Davison had Brace caught by Liam Fahy.

As the OVs looked to wrap up victory, they were denied by John Critchlow, who hit 54.

Off-spinner Steve Protherough claimed two wickets, but Neil Sprague and Richard Pretty batted up to the rain-reduced target of 32 overs to salvage the draw.

The OVs Seconds recorded a comfortable victory in the reverse fixture.

Jez Robertson and Phil Mackie each took two wickets for the OVs, but it was Will Ballard who really threatened the Himbleton batsmen.

At 111-4, Himbleton looked in a strong position, but captain Paul Judge brought Mackie back into the attack and he bowled Chris Pretty for 46.

Ballard then tore through the tail and Himbleton lost their last five wickets for 18 runs to end on 129-9.

In reply, Jamie Mackie played well for 54 and shared a 93-run opening stand with Nic Sproson (36). Peter Taylor accounted for four OV batsmen, but James Gommersall (17no) saw them home with 23 overs to spare just before the heavy rain arrived.