Wormelow CC 1st XI finally got their 2018 league campaign up and running last week as they welcomed newly promoted Himbleton CC to Kennelfield. Home skipper Tom Cutler had no hesitation in asking the visitors to bat first after winning the toss.

Cutler shared the new ball with Ali Main as the home side looked to exert some pressure on the visiting batsmen. Despite bowling with great control neither bowler was able to make the initial breakthrough and Luke Sparrow was brought on to replace the skipper. The score had reached 60 in the 19th over when Sparrow finally picked up the wicket that the home side deserved, he followed this up with a couple more quick wickets as the visitors slipped to 79-3.

The pressure was starting to show as Karim Alee picked up a wicket on his club debut and Findlay Williams also got his name on the score sheet, aided by a spectacular Luke Jones catch in the deep. Harry Harding then removed Himbleton’s top scorer S Jenkins (54) with a sharp run out to reduce the visitors to 142-6.

Main returned to the attack and cleaned up a couple of lower order batsmen before Sparrow picked up his fifth wicket of the day, clinging on to a very sharp caught and bowled chance. The Himbleton innings concluded on 157 in the 43rd over. Sparrow, with 5-36, the pick of the home attack.

Home batsmen, Matt Deem and Jones got the reply under way, and although not a huge run chase it could still be a testing score to chase down. Deem was very watchful in defence leaving the ball well, whilst Jones showed a little more attacking intent with an early boundary. The score had reached 15 when Jones fell LBW for 9. In form wicket keeper batsman Ed Melly joined Deem at the crease. Melly was soon into his stride, being particularly dismissive of anything short, cutting and pulling with great authority.

With Deem happy to play second fiddle and rotate the strike, Melly continued to take the attack to the visitors and soon passed fifty. With the score on 116 and the partnership worth 101, Melly fell for 60 when caught in the deep. Sparrow, buoyed by his earlier exploits with the ball, joined Deem with the pair looking to get the job done and not give the visitors a sniff, which they duly delivered.

A superb 8 wicket victory was secured in the 46th over, Deem ending on a gritty 44 and Sparrow on 16.

Home skipper Cutler was delighted with an outstanding team effort from his charges.