AN ALL too familiar batting collapse ensured that Bromsgrove CC slipped to a 28 run defeat at the hands of Water Orton in the Birmingham and District League Division One on Saturday.

Bromsgrove have been suffering with the bat all season and were unable to build on a strong bowling performance.

The Boars had kept Water Orton restricted to 155 in 39 overs but were then bowled out for 127 by the home side.

Captain Nick Davies could only lament what might have been for his run shy side.

He said: "I was disappointed really not to have to have won the game. We did everything right in the field and gave ourselves a decent total to chase but we didn't play very well. Some of the shots played were disgusting."

Bromsgrove's bowlers were in match winning form against Water Orton.

Nick Husbands, who took 3-50, made the Boars' first breakthrough when he dismissed opener Dawes for 41 runs.

Davies (4-49) had Showell (26) caught by James Watkins to dismiss Orton's strongest batsmen. Without the openers Water Orton were no match for Bromsgrove.

Despite resistance by Folkes (37 not out) Bromsgrove restricted the home side to 155.

Despite a small target to chase Bromsgrove's openers could not give the batting order a strong basis to build from. Simon Allison was bowled by Irish for six runs and Davies was bowled for 24.

Jordan Rose (14) and James Watkins (21) battled hard before being dismissed, while Phil Hamilton (15) and Mark Bagley (16 not out) tried to add some runs.

However, the Boars' batting order had no answer to Irish (7-52) as they were bowled out for 127.

Despite the defeat Davies believes there is time for his side to turn the season around.

He said: "It's still very tight at the top of the table and even though we are in a low position I think we can still finish in the top two. We just need to keep bowling and fielding well and start batting a lot better."

"I think we have a young batting line up and it takes time for them to get experience. But I don't think there are teams better than us this season, I think it's more we've lost games than being beaten."

Phil Hamilton is set to miss Bromsgrove's trip to fellow strugglers Sutton Coldfield this Saturday (1pm start).

With the teams separated by just four points Davies is hopeful for a confidence boosting win. He said: "It's a massive clash, if we lose then we'll really be in trouble. But if we win then hopefully we'll progress."

by Peter McKinney