BROMSGROVE CC First XI brought the curtain down on another league season with a disappointing losing draw at West Bromwich Dartmouth last Saturday.

The Boars, who lost the first three games in a torrid start to their campaign, finish seventh in Birmingham League division one.

But captain Nick Husbands (pictured) was still upbeat about Saturday's losing draw and the season as a whole, highlighting particular players for praise.

He said: "The two are very alike, lots of hard work and good cricket together with loss of concentration and poor passages of play.

"I am however pleased with the season over all. It's been good to see players like Simon Keyte and Nick Davies consistently score runs and newcomers Phil Hamilton and Richard Barnes fit in and do well."

West Bromwich batted first and recently released Worcestershire all rounder Matt Rawnsley scored a near-faultless 146 not out.

Medium pacers Mark Evenson and Jamie Campbell did well to restrict the flow of runs and the taking of regular wickets ensured that the hosts totalled a manageable 260. Campbell took five wickets and Evenson a brace.

The Bromsgrove reply started off at an electrifying pace. Nick Davies (34) and Ross Liddell (30) hammered 70 runs of the first ten overs to put the Boars in sight of victory but when they both fell in successive overs, the match changed.

Campbell (39) and Richard Barnes (12) re-built well but when Barnes was needlessly run out, the pressure was back on.

Phil Hamilton (34) joined Campbell and they took the score to within 100 runs of victory with 18 overs remaining but they too fell in quick succession and the draw was left as the only option.

Kish Patel (29) continued his good form with the bat and ensured the draw was reached, supported by Evenson and Paul Husbands at the end.

Although the season is over, Husbands is reminding all players that there is a lot of work to do at St Godwald's Park, starting this Saturday from 10am.