BROMSGROVE CC's First XI were denied a superb victory, which would have secured their Birmingham and District Premier League Division One future, when their match against Leamington was marred by poor sportsmanship and weak umpiring.

Chasing 237 for victory on Saturday, Town fell six runs shorts in an agonising finish which saw the home side manage just three overs in the final 20 minutes of play.

Ironically, Leamington were deducted points earlier in the season against Bromsgrove for a slow over rate.

The result now means Bromsgrove must play for their survival when they entertain Sutton Coldfield on Saturday.

Town's depleted bowling attack was put under the cosh by ex-England star Wayne Larkins who scored 114.

But their innings soon fell away and they finally declared on 237 for seven off 55 overs to give Town a sniff of victory.

Clive Bennett picked up three wickets and Neale Ingram claimed two.

In reply, vice-captain Paul Duffy (102) and Bennett (61no) seized on everything as the game slipped away from Leamington.

With four overs remaining, Bromsgrove needed 40 runs and - crucially - there was almost half an hour of play left.

But Leamington's tactics were disappointing as the field changed constantly and bowlers spent an age between balls, meaning Town's likely eight overs were reduced to the minimum of four.

With Bromsgrove expecting at least one more over to score the final six runs, the umpires called time and their lack of intervention to speed up play proved costly.