Words by Paul Smith – www.Stumped4Words.com
Tom Payne’s aggressive half-century plus four wickets from skipper Tom Arnold steered Harborne to a 26-run Birmingham Premier League Division Two home win over Himley.
Arnold’s intervention brought the contest to a swift conclusion after seventh wicket pair Adam Passmore and Hasan Ahmed added 83 to keep Himley’s faint victory hopes alive.
After removing Ahmed for 50, Arnold went on to clean up the tail and ensure the visitors’ quest for a rain adjusted 45-over target of 237 ended at 210.
The hosts earlier recovered from 46 for three to post 232 thanks to Payne’s spectacular 36-ball 52.
With four matches remaining this result leaves Harborne in mid-table with hopes that a strong run-in will deliver a top four finish.
“The game was disrupted a fair bit by the weather as we were off and on quite a few times,” Arnold said.
“We struggled a bit up top due to some good bowling from Himley in helpful conditions. A great knock from Tom Payne ably supported by Davidson and Clifford then helped us get to a good total.
“We then bowled well to restrict Himley with Land and Gugale proving difficult to get away and by picking up wickets throughout we managed to peg them back.”
After losing their top three before 50 was on the board, Jasper Davidson’s workmanlike 36 laid the base from which Payne was able to launch a late assault.
His sixth wicket partnership with Jimmy Clifford – who made an even-time 30 – added 50 before the all-rounder further stepped on the accelerator in the company of wicket-keeper Jack Holloway.
Payne’s fine knock, which included seven boundaries and two sixes, was eventually ended by Matt Jeavons who picked up 3-54 from nine overs.
This left Himley chasing a rain adjusted 237 and they were given a good start by the prolific Ollie Westbury (40).
But two quick wickets for George Land allied with a tight spell from off-spinner Swapnil Gugale soon had the visitors struggling at 99 for six before Ahmed and Passmore joined forces.
The seventh wicket pair, who added 83 from only 88 balls, kept their side’s flickering victory hopes alive until Arnold stepped in to wrap things up.
Harborne’s skipper finished with 4-36 while Land claimed 2-32 for a home side who next week travel to struggling Pelsall.
