BROMSGROVE CC First XI captain Nick Davies blamed his batsmen for their first defeat of the season.

Davies' side, with two final ball thrillers behind them, slumped to a 46-run loss at home to Leamington Spa on Monday.

Leamington set the Boars 209 to win but a middle order collapse left them short, slipping from 90-1 to 162 all out.

Davies said: "It was disappointing. Our bowling and fielding was superb but the batsmen didn't apply themselves really.

"Myself and Kadeer were 90-1 but the people going in on a perfect batting tack got themselves out. We were diabolical really."

High flying Leamington batted first and were held back by some excellent bowling and fielding. Jon Farrow and Nick Husbands applied the pressure, with Husbands picking up an early wicket.

Leamington batted cautiously before Nick Edwards pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Williams, and Kish Patel and Mark Evenson combined to affect a spectacular run out of dangerous Marrilier (2).

Ex-Warwickshire and England all-rounder Neil Smith then batted with some assurance and was eventually run out for 48 as the visitors posted 208-7 from 55 overs.

The early loss of Julian Court in reply to a spectacular stumping paved the way for captain Nick Davies (41) and Kadeer Ali (40) to lay the foundations for an impressive win.

Davies received a poor LBW decision for his exit and Ali was out to Smith, sparking a drought of runs and steady loss of wickets.

Paul Duffy (17) tried to be positive and Evenson (27) gave some fight at the end but Smith had the edge as Bromsgrove were dismissed for 162.

The Boars were also defeated by a Worcestershire development XI last Saturday.

Court scored a magnificent 90 as he and Jordan Rose put on 80 for the first wicket in just 20 overs facing county regular Nadeem Malik.

The innings fell away after that for Bromsgrove to post a disappointing 181-7 from 50 overs.

Worcestershire's reply saw Kadeer Ali and James Pipe destroy the Bromsgrove attack, taking 130 off the first 15 overs.

This Saturday the First XI travel to Dorridge and host Frochester in the National Knockout regional semi-final on Sunday (1pm).