A DEPLETED Himbleton side suffered a four-wicket loss to fourth-placed Rushwick despite a spirited performance.

They picked up only two bonus points and fell into the bottom four in Worcestershire Cricket League Division Three.

After losing the toss, captain Jon Critchlow was asked to bat first with Alex Grimsley and the run-out Stu Dickenson departing cheaply.

Critchlow (28) looked to be positive but his exit saw Himbleton in trouble on 61-3 from 19 overs.

Mike Rogers looked to rebuild the innings, supported by Andy Hall (10) and Jem Rose(15), but wickets fell regularly.

Himbleton reached 95-5 at halfway but could only make 134 all out with Rogers' dismissal for 28 followed by three quick wickets.

Daniel Hughes took 6-81 for Rushwick.

In reply, Rogers took a wicket in his second over but then Phil Hamilton's match-defining innings of 63 helped Rushwick make the total within 35 overs.

Hamilton, supported by James Saunders (40), drove with certainty and defended with sureness before being bowled by 14-year-old Casper Jones.

George Clifton was the stand-out bowler with 2-38.

Himbleton look for their first win of the season at Avoncroft on Saturday.