HIMBLETON'S skipper bemoaned the most "appalling conditions" as his side lost to title-chasing Oldswinford and Stourbridge Social in Worcestershire League Division Two.

Having impressed with the ball, the villagers lost a hard-fought game by 56 runs.

In their reply to 178 all out, Jon Critchlow (16) and Rich Pretty (4) gave the Meadow Boys a solid start but at 50-3 the rain fell steadily. 

They had to hit out to stay ahead of the run-rate and batsmen departed regularly with only Ali Pretty (32) making any headway. 

The rain continued to fall quite heavily but the umpires kept the players out in the middle.

Himbleton finally ran out of wickets on reaching 122.

Spinners Critchlow (3-27) and Paul Guy (4-44) along with George Clifton (2-28) had earlier impressed with the ball.

Captain Stuart Dickenson said: “I’m not quite sure what happened there.

"I don’t ever remember playing on in such appalling conditions.

"I can only think the umpires wanted to reach a natural conclusion to the game.

"But it affected our batting as we were chasing a moving target and the nature of the wicket changed.

"Looking at the positives, Guysie and Critch bowled superbly and that was three weeks in a row where we’ve fielded well.”

Third-from-bottom Himbleton host fellow strugglers Bartestree and Lugwardine on Saturday looking to avenge an early-season defeat suffered by a weakened team.