THE promotion hopes of Bromsgrove CC Seconds were dealt a blow when they were beaten on Saturday by visitors St Georges.

The Shropshire side batted first and were reduced to 36-2 from 20 overs as Paul Husbands and Ade Lawton kept a tight rein.

The pivotal moment was the surprise loss of opener Brace who had remained at the crease for 25 overs for just 14 runs. When he departed St Georges suddenly began to set about the Bromsgrove bowling attack.

Ian Walker took the brunt of the assault as the visitors scored 76 in 11 overs, before Adrian Field returned to dismiss Waldron (54) and Dorans (40) thanks to fine catches on the boundary by Lee Mortlock.

The visitors closed on a respectable 178-7 from their 50 overs.

Paul Husbands was the best of the home bowlers with 4-55 from 22 overs.

Mark Bilborough and Dave Keyte made a fine start for Town as 29 runs came from the first six overs.

They were both bowled in quick succession, bringing Tom Hope and Mike Bennison to the wicket.

As Bennison (58) began to prosper, patiently waiting to punish the bad ball, wickets continued to fall at the other end.

Only Dan Keyte and Mortlock showed any backbone as Grove subsided to 118 all out from only 35.3 overs.

Appleby finished with fine figures of seven for 50 from 17.3 overs. This result leaves Bromsgrove on the fringe of the title race.