WORCESTERSHIRE Royals had their lead at the top of the Norwich Union League Division One table cut to four points when they lost by 22 runs in yesterday's rain-hit clash against title rivals Glamorgan Dragons at New Road.

After the County had made 202-9 the weather ended the game with Glamorgan on 108-3 off 22.1 overs and well ahead of their required Duckworth-Lewis total of 86.

The defeat ended a run of three successive league wins for the County and leaves them four points ahead of second-in-the-table Warwickshire Bears and third-placed Glamorgan.

The Bears, however, have played one more match than the County while Glamorgan have a game in hand.

New Road skipper Graeme Hick said: "It was disappointing to lose, but there are a few more games left yet.

"They won the toss and in the end I thought we had a score that, if their wickets fell at the right time for us, would be enough. But generally I think we were maybe 20 runs light on what was needed on that wicket. With the weather we have had recently there was a little bit too much moisture."

After slipping to 28-3 Glamorgan were lifted to what proved to be a winning total by Matthew Maynard (32 not out) and Steve James (41 not out) who put on an undefeated 80.

Hick said: "They have been there and done it before. They missed a little bit at the start and if we had nicked one of those off it could have been different story."

Australian all-rounder Shane Lee marked his debut for the County with a valuable batting performance, but was ring rusty with the ball and went for 39 in his three overs.

After being put in Worcestershire had been grateful for a number of bits-and-pieces innings with Lee leading the way with 41 off 50 balls. His tally included four of the 16 fours that the County managed to chalk up. Their only six came from Kabir Ali before he was run out for 17.

The only notable stand was between Ben Smith and Lee who put on 63 in 12 overs for the fourth wicket.

Smith made 25 to end an impressive run of half centuries in his previous five limited-over innings. The last four had been undefeated.

Glamorgan's most productive bowler was paceman Adrian Dale who claimed 3-32, including David Leatherdale who was spendidly caught two handed by diving Mike Powell at short mid-wicket for 15.