A blistering half-century from Tom Wells was not enough to save Leicestershire Foxes from defeat against the Birmingham Bears in the NatWest T20 Blast at Grace Road.
The young all-rounder crashed four sixes in his 51 but Leicestershire were still 25 runs short of their target after being set 176 to win by the Bears.
The Foxes' run-chase never really got going as they slid to 30-3 inside the sixth over with Josh Cobb, Niall O'Brien and Greg Smith all perishing before the end of the powerplay.
Ramnaresh Sarwan made 37 and Wells' late salvo at least gave the Foxes' innings a degree of respectability.
After being put in to bat, the Bears posted 175-9 from their 20 overs, Nathan Buck finishing with 3-37 from his four overs.
However, Will Porterfield's 67 at the top of the Bears' batting order set up his side's win as they posted a total which Leicestershire skipper Cobb felt was 30 above the par score.
Next up for the Foxes in the 20-over competition are Worcestershire Rapids, who visit Grace Road for a North Group fixture on Friday evening.
