PAUL Terry blamed Hampshire's underachieving batsmen for the county's second National League defeat of the season.

John Crawley finished unbeaten on 70 and Michael Clarke was run out for 42 but openers Nic Pothas and Derek Kenway were both dismissed for ducks - and Lawrie Prittipaul holed out for 17.

Hampshire manager Terry fumed: "We put in a really poor performance and our batting is something we have problems with.

"We need people that can finish games for us.

"John Crawley was doing it with ease but no one was prepared to stay with him which was disappointing because it's been a trait of ours.

"Batters should do their job.

"Michael Clarke's run out was a turning point, but we still needed five an over on a good wicket and on a fast outfield and no one was prepared to hang around and keep John company.

"Someone's got to come in and win games. We can't expect the same two or three guys to win us games all the time.

"People have had opportunities but they're not grabbing them."

Essex Eagles had managed to set the Hawks 212 to win, and Terry was also critical of Hampshire's performance in the field.

Terry added: "Our fielding was poor.

"We missed three or four opportunities to get people out and, if you do that with good players, you'll know you'll get hurt.

"By his own admission Shane didn't bowl very well today.

"Everyone else bowled pretty well. He was the one guy that went for runs and it's not often you say that. It wasn't his day, but that happens."