TEENAGE talent Jack Taylor produced a tremendous display with the bat for Bromsgrove this week but couldn't save his side from a hefty eight wicket defeat at early season leaders Himley.

Right arm quick bowler Taylor thumped a notable 90 not out with the bat and found support from wicketkeeper and acting skipper Tom Hill who hit a further 33.

But by that stage, the damage had already been done as Bromsgrove's top order had been demolished in an early collapse which had seen them slump to 60 for seven.

Injured Bromsgrove skipper Mark Evenson said: "It was a monumental effort from Jack, who really came of age. It was just a shame some of the other batsmen didn't apply themselves a bit more.

"Jack has already featured for Herefordshire in the Minor Counties Championship and spent a bit of time in Australia recently and has come back full of confidence.

"At 60 for seven, you're not going to win anything but at least Jack gave us something to bowl at".

Taylor's rearguard action helped Bromsgrove reach 187 all out after Adam Finch with four for 42 and former Worcestershire player Stuart Wedge who claimed three for 18 causing most of the damage with the ball.

But Taylor's heroics proved to no avail as Himley soon knocked-off the required runs reaching a winning 188 for two with a huge 18 overs to spare, Ollie Westbury led the assault with 81 not out.

Evenson offered no excuses afterwards and said: "We're not playing the smartest cricket at the moment, in fact we look under-cooked.

"We now enter a crucial period, starting on Saturday with a home game against Halesowen, before taking on Bridgnorth and then Wellington.

"How we perform in those three games is likely to determine which end of the league table we will be contesting this season."

Once again Bromsgrove were without Warwickshire's Aaron Thomason but there was a welcome return for experienced seam bowler Gareth Williams.

Evenson hopes to be back in contention after the bank holiday weekend but added: "It's ironic that the only game Aaron has featured for us this season was against Shifnal, which we won.

"That said, we've got enough talent in the side and shouldn't be relying on Aaron all the time".