A TENSE finish saw Kidderminster Victoria move up a place in Birmingham League Division One with an important win at Stratford.

With both clubs near the bottom of the table, KVCC took the honours with just one ball to spare after chasing the home side's 225-4 from 55 overs.

The game could have finished as a draw with Sean Lloyd's men needing 72 runs from the last 10 overs but an aggressive 33 from Ted Baylis saw them home in style.

All-rounder Baylis was well supported by Craig Wood, while an opening stand of 111 between Jonathan Wright and Chris Jones had put KVCC in a good position.

They won the toss and their decision to make Stratford bat soon paid dividends when Andy Siwicki bowled opener Jones for just five runs.

His partner Parker (5) did not last much longer as Tom Sherriff took a catch behind the stumps off Baylis's bowling.

His opening spell of five overs cost just seven runs, leaving Stratford reeling at 24-2 in the 10th over.

But David Graham restored order to the proceedings, adding 63 runs with Black (29) who was eventually dismissed by a Jones catch from Wright's bowling.

Replacement Joshi settled in well and had made 24 by the time Wright dismissed him with the scoreboard on 154-4.

In the last 13 overs, KVCC bowled tightly to put any Stratford hopes of a big score on hold.

Wright only conceded 44 runs from his first 16 overs and Mark Mansell also put the block on with 10 runs going from his first seven.

Graham (114 not out) and Lamb (36 not out) added a further 71 runs before the innings ended.

KVCC opening pair Jones and Wright had a dream start, reaching 49 by the 10th over as the hosts conceded far too many extras.

It came to an end in the 31st over with Wright out for 56 and Jones soon following for 45.

Vic Lawes and Wood made progress until the former was stumped for 16 to reduce KVCC to 154-3 in the 45th over.

Spinner Joshi gave little away and leading wicket-taker Pieters claimed the wicket of Mansell (10), setting the stage for a grandstand finish.

The steady Wood (42 not out) mixed well with Baylis who went after the bowling with a mighty six and good running between the wickets.

KVCC pulled off a well-deserved win with a good all-round team display but it will need to be repeated against stern opposition in the coming weeks.

They travel to top-of-the-table Harborne on Saturday and then entertain second-placed Leamington the following week.

With a renewed spirit, KVCC will be bidding to spring a few surprises.

Stratford 225-4, KVCC 228-4.

KVCC seconds comprehensively defeated Stratford who batted first and struggled against accurate seam bowling by all four medium pacers.

Chris Pyke and Luke Eversham removed the openers before off-spinners Kelvin Barrett and Mark Venross forced the visitors to crumble to 131-9.

They conceded just 56 runs off 23 overs and took seven wickets with Barrett (6-30) taking the lion's share.

The simple-looking target was secured by a solid 46 from veteran opener Colin Hemsley and finished off by Rob Bratt (33 not out) and Pyke (24 not out) to secure 20 points.

Stratford 131-9, KVCC 2nds 132-3.