KIDDERMINSTER Victoria claimed a rare, but convincing, victory at Walsall in the Birmingham League Premier Division.

Winning the toss, KVCC invited the hosts to have first use of a green-tinged wicket.

Worcestershire CCC staff player Chris Whelan opened the bowling with Gareth Williams and the duo had the home side under control only conceding 15 runs off their first eight overs The first wicket fell when Jack Manuel, also a County player, was caught by his New Road colleague Neil Pinner off the bowling of Williams for 13.

The score risen to 59 before Mark Mansell had Chris Jonker caught by Pinner for 25 and Paul Baker was then bowled by KVCC skipper Jonathan Wright.

The total had risen to 77 in the 32nd over when Pinner took a third catch, this time to remove Alex McChristie off Whelan’s bowling for two.

Mansell (4-51) continued to cause the Walsall batsmen problems as he picked up a fourth wicket.

Walsall had reached 180-9 by the end of their 55 overs.

KVCC openers Craig Wood and Jon Smith started well, but the latter was lbw to Griggs for 21 with the score on 34. Wood had reached 26 when he was also leg before to Jonker.

Pinner, who has been doing well with Worcestershire in the 40 overs game, went in at number three and started batting well.

When he was joined by James Ralph, the score soon mounted. In the next 15 overs, they added 82 runs.

Pinner, having reached his half-century, was caught by Powles off the bowling of Javid Ram. He had hit seven fours and a six.

Ten runs later, Ralph was caught by McChristie for 46, having struck five fours and a six, to give was Ram his second wicket, but KVCC were still well in control.

The next man in, Andrew Kimberlin, was caught and bowled by Ram for eight, but victory was in sight for the Kidderminster side.

It was left to the not out batsmen Wright (20) and Whelan (9) to take the total to 184-5 and secure a very good win for KVCC with nearly 15 overs of their innings to spare.

Ram was the pick of the Walsall bowling taking 3-31. Griggs (1-25) and Jonker (1-31) were the other wicket-takers.

On Saturday, KVCC are at home to West Bromwich Dartmouth (12pm), before they travel to Wellington on Bank Holiday Monday with the same start time.