KIDDERMINSTER Victoria got their promotion push off to a winning start with a convincing nine-wicket victor over newly-relegated Cannock in Birmingham and District Premier League Division One.

The weather could have been the winner, but speedy covering of the wicket when a heavy stormed arrived ensured play resumed, much to the credit of new groundsman Adrian Dudock who has been faced with six days continuous cricket at Chester Road.

Winning the toss, KV's skipper Jonathan Wright invited Cannock to bat and it proved a good decision as runs were hard to come thanks to tight bowling from Ted Baylis and newcomer Warren Irvine.

Cannock had reached 28 by the ninth over when they lost opener Kettle, on 10, to a catch by keeper Tom Sherriff off Irvine's bowling. Marc Derrick replaced Irvine and produced the second wicket when overseas player Divan van Wyk took a catch to remove the other opener Revill for 17. It was 37-2 with 14 of the allotted 53 gone.

Cannock settled down and the score mounted. Irvine swapped to the Railway End and found trouble with his run-up, conceding 10 runs, including four no balls, in one over.

However, he made up for that with the dismisal of Jones, caught by Nigel Davenport. Jones had scored just 10 and Cannock were 77-3. The danger man was Humphries who looked the batsman to contain. Cannock skipper, Guy Bulpitt, was the next to depart with only seven runs to his name. A slip catch by Mark Mansell gave Baylis a well-deserved wicket and the visitors were 102-4 after 29 overs.

The introduction of another new player, leg-spiner Chris Powell, brought a fifth wicket. He trapped Pritchard "leg-before" for a duck. to make it 106-5.

Humphries had reached a well-deserved 50 and looked in great form, but a bowling change ended his innings.

Davenport's first ball had Humphries leg before and it was perhaps the most vital wicket of the innings. With Cannock at 108-6 with 16 overs remaining, the Kidderminster players were in good heart.

Davenport claimed his second wicket by bowling Smith for seven, and a good catch in the outfield by van Wyk off Wright's bowling saw Crook depart for four.

Davenport, having taken two wickets and one catch, then ran out Highway for two. The one man who, like Humphries, had offered any great restance, was Wesson who remained unbeaten on 51. His partner was Mickelwright who had scored 1.

So with 187 to reach, KVCC had one eye onthe weather. Openers Wright and Mansell had a big job in hand, which was made even more difficult when Mansell was dismissed for a duck.

Last years' South African Under 19s captain, van Wyk, joined Wright and made a confident start. It was Wright who took control. He savaged the Cannock bowling, which was not of the highest standard.

The skies were getting darker, but Wright and van Wyk were getting on with the task in hand. The runs piled up with Wright hitting fours and sixes.

Inevitably, the rain arrived, but with all the KVCC players standing by, the covers were soon on.

A lengthy delay was ended when the sun came out and KIdderminster had their overs reduced to 38.

Wright soon struck out and was heading for a century when he fell for a good catch in the outfield. He had reached 92 with six 6s and six 4s.

Next man in Craig Wood was soon in action, but it was van Wyk who carried on in the Wright vein. One good feature was the running between the wickets of these two batsmen.

The runs flowed and van Wyk reached his half-century. The game ended with four overs in hand. An impressive competitive debut saw van Wyk finish 60 not out, including five 4s, with Wood contributing a very steady 22.

The Kidderminster Bowling looks balanced with Davenport taking 2-17 from nine overs, and Irvine 2-41 off 10.

All in all it was a good win that will give KVCC hopes for the new season.

Contrary to their club handbook, KVCC travel to league newcomers Walmley next Saturday and not Stratford, who they visit on May 30.

The home games between the sides have also been reversed with Kidderminster now entertaining Walmley on July 23 and Stratford on August 13, when there will be a vice president's lunch.

KVCC have signed yet another quick bowler, Craig Jennings. He has experience with Northampton and will be eligible for next week's game.

Kidderminster Victoria progressed to the second stage of the ECB Cockspur Cup with an impressive six-wicket win at Old Hill.

Result: KVCC 173 (Andy Siwicki 32, Stephen Ralph 22, Sean Lloyd 19).

Old Hill 177-4 . KVCC won by six wickets.