BROMSGROVE First XI turned in one of their most devastating performances of the season against Penn, only to be denied victory in the closing stages when a crucial umpiring decision went against them.

Town were happy to be asked to bat in ideal conditions in this Birmingham and District League Division One clash.

The opening overs were tough as South African Janie Dreyer worked up a ferocious pace against Jamie Campbell and Nick Davies.

Campbell was hit on the helmet on several occasions including three times in one rapid over.

But the pair stood firm and they notched up their highest partnership to date - 122 runs - before Davies was out for 53.

Campbell remained dominant and together with Paul Duffy (12) a further 50 runs were added.

The pair departed in quick succession after Campbell had scored what skipper Nick Husbands called an outstanding 84.

Jerome Connor (51) helped Bromsgrove smash 50 runs in the final five overs to post a healthy score of 256.

The carrot was dangled early by Town when they opened with the old ball and the spin of Clive Bennett and swing of Jason Vaughan-Davies.

The medium pacer took the early scalp of Grant Pickin.

Penn made dogged progress until Bennett finally broke the deadlock by trapping Dreyer LBW for 27 after having him dropped four times.

Wickets began to fall without runs being scored as Bennett extracted turn and bounce on his way to five wickets in a mammoth 29-over spell.

At 117 for 9, and with three overs remaining, Bromsgrove sensed victory.

Penn skipper Rob Pearce then went forward to a ball from Davies which brushed the top of his pad.

As the bowler started to appeal for LBW, the ball appeared to hit the leading edge of the bat and was brilliantly caught by John Duffy at short extra cover.

The Bromsgrove players celebrated what would have been a thoroughly deserved victory but the umpire indicated the ball had touched pad only and was therefore not out.

The players were left in a state of shock and there were no further chances as the game was drawn with Town picking up ten points.