A LACK of punch in the bowling department is threatening to cost Kidderminster after a losing draw in their first Birmingham League Division One match of the season.

The town could be vying for the top few places in the table if they can sort the problem out.

They made 258-8 in 55 overs at home to Harborne on Saturday but their visitors, reduced to 38 overs in a rain-affected match, were able to total 182-3 in reply.

A good match played in good spirit saw Harborne take 11 points and KCC just seven.

Invited to bat, Sean Lloyd's men got off to a poor start by losing two wickets for just 12 runs.

Mark Mansell was caught behind for five and new signing Chris Jones, still not hitting form, was out leg before for a duck.

Opener Jonathan Wright soon established a good partnership with in-form Vic Lawes before the rain came down in the 15th over with the score at 42-2.

On resuming, the duo reached 100 in the 27th over and 150 another 10 overs later as Wright completed his century after being dropped twice.

However, it was third time lucky for Harborne as Wright finally departed for 100, including 11 fours and one six, with the scoreboard on 186-3.

The runs continued to flow with big shots from Lawes who had been joined by dependable 18-year-old Craig Wood.

Lawes passed his 50 and looked set for a ton but fell to a catch when on 70 following three fours and three sixes.

With KCC on 208-4 from 47 overs, Wood (42 not out) then pushed the run-rate along but he ran out of time.

Ted Baylis (4), Sean Lloyd (8), Chris Pyke (0), Andy Siwicki (2) and Godfrey Lamb (0 not out) were unable to contribute greatly but KCC had set a challenging score.

The time lost to rain meant Harborne were entitled to 38 overs and needed seven an over to win but could get the winning draw with 179 runs which they achieved with an over to spare.

Wright ended a good 103 opening partnership and skipper Lloyd took a catch in the next over off Mansell to leave Harborne on 103-2.

But the next pair put on 40 and though Baylis took a catch from Wright's bowling, the visitors steadied up and pushed on at the required rate.

KCC 258-8, Harborne 182-3.

KCC seconds travelled to Harborne but rain stopped play in the 34th over with the home side on 173-3.

Robert Bratt claimed 2-70 and Mark Eversham 1-10.

Then on Sunday KCC firsts defeated a strong Old Hill team by seven wickets in an entertaining clash.

Lawes followed on from Saturday's exploits with the bat by taking 4-33 with the ball, while Jones claimed 2-41, Mansell 1-18, Siwicki 1-37 and Pyke 1-57.

Old Hill were dismissed for 192 in 48.5 overs and then KCC teenager Joe Hill, along with Lawes, soon had the runs on tap on a good batting wicket.

Lawes scored 64 and Hill 21, while Mansell weighed in with 33 and Wood 1 not out.

But the best news came from overseas signing Jones who showed signs of breaking into form with 47 not out.

Old Hill 192, KCC 193-3.

Fixtures, Saturday: Leamington v KCC 1sts (1pm), 2nds v Fordhouses (1.30pm), 3rds v West Malvern (2pm). Sunday: Shrewsbury v KCC (National Knockout Cup, 1pm).

Wood scored 40 runs in his Worcestershire seconds debut on Monday against Exeter University at Kidderminster.