CRICKET: WILL Gifford could soon be getting a call-up to the Worcestershire 1st XI after starring in Kidderminster Victoria's winning draw at Old Hill on Saturday.

He hit an unbeaten 113, including 13 fours and three sixes off 141 balls, but KVCC were unable to clinch a victory despite some fine bowling from left-armer Jonathan Miles.

Gifford's unbeaten century was a superb innings that had the large crowd showing their appreciation as they had done the previous week when he also scored a century for the County 2nd XI on the same ground.

An entertaining match could have gone Kidderminster's way but they will be satisfied with a good performance that consolidates their place in mid-table in their first campaign back in the top flight.

Coach Ross Edwards said: "What is really pleasing is that we went to Old Hill - one of the top clubs over the last 20 years - and the home crowd were cheering them to their losing draw. That showed how well we played.

"The really impressive part of our performance in this match was that we managed to build a couple of good partnerships.

"This laid the foundations for an onslaught in the final overs for us to get up to a very competitive score. Jonathan Miles then bowled really well to take their first three wickets and Ted Baylis chipped in with the fourth and Old Hill were staring down the barrel."

When Old Hill won the toss and invited KVCC to bat, openers Jonathan Wright and Mark Mansell scored 32 and 20 respectively.

However, it was the partnership between Gifford and Craig Wood that built up a big score.

Having scored 35, hitting four fours, Wood retired with an eye problem and was replaced by keeper Josh Knappett who continued the good work.

Knappett had scored 25 when he became A. Rehman's third scalp (3-64). The total at that stage was 229-3 with one over left and the visitors eventually ended up on 239-4, Nigel Davenport being run out for five at the finish.

The Old Hill reply started sensationally for KVCC - four batsmen were back in the pavilion with only 18 runs on the board.

Left-arm medium pacer Miles had been hit for 11 runs off his first 15 balls, but trapped Ishtiaq lbw for nine with the fifth ball of his third over. In his next over he had Khan also leg before for a duck, and A Rehman caught by Wright also for a duck at 14-3.

Baylis had been bowling well and was rewarded with a wicket in his fifth over, having Mateen also caught by Knappett for seven.

He had conceded only four runs in his first five overs and his opening spell of 11 overs, bowled in searing heat, only cost him 21 runs.

KVCC rang the changes with Craig Siwicki taking a wicket in his first over, and Vishal Bhatia getting two, including Khalid for 38, caught Wright, and Willetts caught Wood for 13.

Mansell had L Rehman lbw for 11, but experienced batsman James Pearson was not to be removed and finished with 63 not out as Old Hill ended on 167-8.

Miles finished with 3-31, Bhatia 2-51, Siwicki 1-3, and Mansell 1-8. Baylis took 1-25 but only conceded 25 runs in 13 overs, including five maidens.

This Saturday Kidderminster stage their Vice Presidents Day when they entertain Barnt Green in another league game(1pm).

BIRMINGHAM AND

DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division

W D L A Pts

WB Dartmouth 7 3 1 1 208

Walsall 7 2 1 1 185

Kenilworth 3 7 2 0 148

Himley 5 2 4 1 137

Moseley 4 1 4 3 134

Kidderminster 3 5 2 2 134

Barnt Green 4 0 4 4 127

Old Hill 3 5 2 2 126

Cov & NW. ......3 2 4 3 118

*Knowle 1 5 3 3 107

Wellington 2 2 6 2 87

*Shrewsbury 0 1 8 2 66

*3 pts deducted