KIDDERMINSTER Victoria suffered a six-wicket defeat to Knowle and Dorridge in their Birmingham League Premier Division opener.

The hosts’ openers Matt Pardoe and Craig Wood had taken the score to 22 when a Pardoe drive was diverted onto the stumps by the bowler with Wood out of his ground.

Worcestershire duo Pardoe and Neil Pinner advanced the total to 51, but the former, having scored 30, was caught by Alec Baker off the bowling of Neil Coley.

Just five more runs had been added when Attik Chishti struck, removing Pinner, who fell to a catch by Will Mottram, for 11.

Next man in, James Ralph, scored five before being caught by David Smith off Chishti and KVCC were struggling with their total on 60 with half the overs bowled.

A partnership of 69 between skipper Jonathan Wright (52) and Andrew Kimberlin helped KVCC back into the contest Richard Kimberlin and Mark Mansell fell in quick succession, but Andrew Kimberlin batted well for his 29 as KVCC posted 158-8.

Knowle and Dorridge required just four runs-per-over and they achieved their victory target with four overs to spare. Wright (2-25) and Pardoe (2-27) were the wicket-takers, but all of the bowlers performed reasonably well.