BIRMINGHAM League Division Two West newcomers Bridgnorth defeated Kidderminster by five wickets in a friendly on Saturday but a poorly covered wicket was a big help.

KCC will nevertheless have to improve in the bowling department if they want to be serious contenders for promotion from Division One.

But once again their younger players performed well with the bat though Bridgnorth deserved their victory.

Batting first, KCC lost their first wicket with just 33 runs on the board but Mark Mansell scored 30 of them, totalling six fours by the eighth over.

His partner Joe Hill (30) was joined by Australian Vic Lawes and the runs started to flow before the former was out to a superb low catch in the 20th over.

Lawes' fellow Aussie Chris Jones departed first ball, leaving the visitors on 85-3, but in stepped Craig Wood who was fresh from a midweek century.

Wood spoiled the hat-trick and together with Lawes put KCC back on track to reach the 100 by the 25th over.

Lawes reached his 50 in 62 balls but with the partnership worth 71 and looking set for his century, he gave an easy catch with 85 to his credit through four sixes and six fours.

Andy Siwicki added 12 runs, Wood departed for 53, Ted Baylis was run out for four and Gomez Vincent made six.

Phil Shaw (15 not out) and Chris Pyke (four not out) guided KCC to 231-8 from 45 overs which was a reasonable score on quite a damp wicket though the wind dried it later in the day.

Bridgnorth took advantage of ineffective bowling as Baylis conceded 30 runs from five overs and Craig Siwicki 26 from four.

The home side looked confident and though Mansell (1-27) stemmed the runs, Pyke was another KCC bowler who did not seem able to hit the spot.

Bridgnorth lost their first wicket when they reached 80 in the 11th over but added 58 before another fell.

The others went at 183, 204 and 229 as a short boundary punished Jones who conceded 65 runs off his eight overs, while taking two wickets. Shaw claimed 1-4 and A Siwicki 1-28.

KCC 231-8, Bridgnorth 233-5.

The U-21s defeated Lancashire side Nelson by 103 runs in a good win for a team of promising youngsters.

KCC racked up 251-5 with Wood not out on 100, A Siwicki scoring 60, Shaw 36 and Hill 27.

Nelson were bowled out for 148 as Pyke took 3-8, A Siwicki 2-11, C Siwicki 2-43 and Kelvin Barratt 1-7.

KCC U-21s 251-5, Nelson 148.

Sunday's game with Barnt Green was cancelled for KCC who begin their Birmingham League programme on Saturday at home to Harborne (1pm).

Fixtures, Saturday: KCC 1sts v Harborne (1pm), Harborne v 2nds (1.30pm), Stourbridge Social v 3rds (Worcestershire League, 2pm).

Sunday: KCC 1sts v Old Hill (1pm), Worcester Nomads v 2nds (2pm).

Monday: Worcestershire 2nds v Exeter University (Chester Road, 11am).