KIDDERMINSTER Victoria firsts defeated Premier side Halesowen in a mini warm-up for Sunday's National Knockout clash to progress in the Birmingham League Challenge Cup.

Joe Hill (29), Chris Jones (27), Craig Wood (19) helped them to 110-9 before Andrew Siwicki worked his magic in the field.

Halesowen needed 7.4 runs an over to win and were never far behind the rate but Siwicki's four eight-ball overs cost just 26 runs and produced four wickets.

He then claimed a sensational catch off acting skipper Ted Baylis's bowling to dismiss dangerous Halesowen skipper Dave Manning for two runs.

They needed 11 runs off the last over but Jones (1-7) conceded only seven and KVCC booked an away trip to Bromsgrove in the next round, due to be played yesterday. Baylis chipped in with 2-21 and Robert Bratt 1-25.

KVCC 110-9, Halesowen 104-8.

The seconds head to Old Hill in the second round tonight (6.30pm) after a Challenge Cup victory over Stourbridge last week.

Hill (2-26) and Craig Siwicki (2-32) helped restrict Stourbridge to 115-6 from 15 eight-ball overs and KVCC lost just two wickets in reply. In-command Hill top scored with 79 not out.

Stourbridge 115-6, KVCC 2nds 119-2.