A SHOCKING batting performance on Saturday plunged Bromsgrove Cricket Club's First XI to the verge of a relegation battle.

There's even more bad news for Town - inspirational skipper Nick Husbands is likely to miss the rest of the season because of a side injury sustained against Penn last week.

The quick bowler's team have now got their work cut out in the final five games to stay in the Birmingham and District League Division One.

Bromsgrove were asked to bat on what appeared to be a good track. But the early loss of Nick Davies, adjudged caught at short leg off the bowling of Shahid, sparked a catastrophic collapse.

Paul Duffy was bowled next ball and Jerome Connor soon followed.

Julian Court and Phil Duffy both perished as Hamilton joined in the rout.

Neale Ingram then followed leaving Bromsgrove in tatters at 14 for six.

Jason Vaughan-Davies (16) showed good aggression and was supported by debutant Lee Mortlock (15) but the pair could only lift the score to 38 before Vaughan-Davies was out to Hamilton.

When Mortlock and Adrian Field fell in the same Hamilton over -- giving the West Indian five wickets -- the scoreboard read 51 for nine.

Husbands, only playing because other key players were unavailable, then joined Jamie Campbell who was batting down the order after falling ill.

They put together a partnership of 49 in a patient but face-saving effort.

Bromsgrove still fell one short of three figures with Husbands embarrassingly the top-scorer on 28. Campbell was undefeated on 16. Shahid returned figures of four for 21.

The Stourbridge reply began brightly with Adshead playing some aggressive shots.

A double strike by paceman Field briefly gave Bromsgrove hope but Australian Warren (33no) and Murphy (24no) completed a convincing seven-wicket victory.

Bromsgrove now face a tough Bank Holiday weekend knowing they must improve against Shropshire sides Wellington and St Georges.