KIDDERMINSTER'S four-wicket loss to Moseley in the premier division came with just three balls left in the game.

Having posted a reasonable total of 248-9, it was never going to be big enough on a good wicket and a very fast outfield.

Moseley won the toss and asked KV to bat, knowing that any total around the 250 mark would be reachable, especially with veteran Ian Stokes, who played a match-winning innings of 70 not out.

Jonathan Wright and Mark Mansell set off their innings at a canter with 36 runs by the sixth over, but Wright was out for 23.

Will Gifford, selected for his County debut against West Indies 'A' yesterday, joined Mansell and saw the score reach 102 in the 24th over when Mansell was bowled for a very good 41. Wicketkeeper Josh Knappett got himself tied up and was bowled for four.

Craig Wood and Gifford figured in a partnership of 235 the previous week but this time Gifford was bowled on 57.

With the score on 161, Wood who had been joined by Andrew Siwicki, was out bowled for 21.

A superb partnership of 82 between Siwicki and Nigel Davenport ended with the score on 243 when Davenport was run out having hit 47.

Siwicki was out two runs later for a well-earned 46, but the last four batsmen could only manage three runs between them.

Awan had taken 3-66, Hussein 2-78, Webster 1-40 and Warren 1-59.

Moseley set off at a fair rate as had KV with 57 scored in nine overs before Masood was bowled by Ted Baylis for 21.

Wright, who had replaced Jonathan Miles had Warren caught and bowled for 38.

The score had reached 106 when Magafas was out to a sensational slip-catch by Mark Mansell off Wright's bowling for 29.

The score had risen to 176 when Chase was run out for 44 following some smart fielding by Vishal Bhatia and Knappett.

Stokes was showing all his experience by scoring regularly.

Virdee was given lbw to Davenport for 32 with the score on 177 but, although there were several bowling changes, Stokes and Hussein took them within two runs of victory when Davenport bowled Hussein for 32.

Davenport took 2-50, Wright 2-62, and Baylis 1-44. Bhatia conceded only 25 runs from his nine overs.