KIDDERMINSTER'S two main cricket clubs have merged.

Victoria and Blakeley Hall, due to lose their Hoobrook base at the end of the season, have merged with Kidderminster to form Kidderminster Victoria Cricket Club.

The new outfit will continue to be sponsored by town firm Victoria Carpets, boasting five senior teams and eight youth sides in a membership of around 400.

KVCC will use the Chester Road ground but have also secured a secondary home at Winterfold House School, Chaddesley Corbett, for next year.

Promising youngsters at Worcestershire League Victoria and Blakeley Hall, like Steve Davies and Craig Wood, have moved up to Birmingham League Kidderminster anyway in the past.

"Centres of excellence appear in most sports but in cricket terms, there is no doubt we shall be just that," said Kidderminster chairman Norman Broadfield.

"In the new club, a young player will be able to play in the Worcestershire League if he doesn't quite make it in the Birmingham League."

Victoria and Blakeley Hall chairman Peter Lidgate added: "We used to lose players from our youth section to Kidderminster but now it should be a natural flow.

"At least we will see the benefits of that talent. Cricket as a sport is ailing but if we can concentrate the talent on a premier club in the area, it should be very healthy for the future."