KIDDERMINSTER Victoria captain Matt Pardoe was full of praise for his players this week after they pulled off a slender 24 run success over Kenilworth Wardens.

The result maintains their unberaten run this season in the Birmingham League Premier Division but Pardoe was more pleased with the fact his side successfully defended a modest total.

Kidderminster could only manage 145 all out with their innings ending prematurely in the 44th over.

Pardoe revealed: "It was a really tough wicket and we realised after just 10 overs that 160 was going to be a good total. But it meant we had to bowl and field well to defend it."

Once again, strike bowlers Connor Smith and Mike Hill set the tone, giving little away with the ball.

Pardoe then turned to spin, bowling himself and Jonathan Wright, which increased their stranglehold on Wardens' batting line-up before seam bowler Nathan Round polished them off for 121 all out.

Round finished with figures of three for 23 while Pardoe picked up three for 26 with his left arm off spin.

Pardoe insisted: "It was one of the best performances I can remember from a Kidderminster side. It took bottle, courage and real team spirit to see us through.

"In previous years, I'm sure we would have crumbled under the pressure trying to defend such a low total, but winning has given us the confidence we need. We certainly have the ability and it's just a case of putting that into practise."

Kidderminster clash with Worcestershire rivals Barnt Green this Saturday at Chester Road (noon) for the second time in six days having defeated them last Sunday in the National Knockout.

Pardoe will wait to see whether strike bowler Gareth Williams can recover from a calf strain in time before naming his side.