A YOUTHFUL Kidderminster side slipped to a 99-run defeat to West Bromwich Dartmouth last Saturday in the Birmingham League Premier.

The Chester Road side won the toss and put the defending champions into bat and made an early breakthrough when Connor Smith trapped Navdeep Poonia (4) lbw.

But the Black Country outfit rallied and Kadeer Ali and Ateeq Javid put on a second-wicket stand of 104.

Kidderminster bowled steadily, but various changes did not have the desired effect.

However, a breakthrough came in the 29th over when an outstanding catch by Chris Russell off the bowling of skipper Neil Pinner saw the departure of Ali for a good innings of 74 runs.

Javid had scored 75 (seven fours and one six) when he was caught by Liam Weston off the bowling of Jonathan Wright, but West Bromwich were in a comfortable position on 195-3 after 41 overs.

With only 18 more runs added, Kidderminster took two more wickets. Kabir Ali (28) was caught by Pinner, giving Wright a second wicket, and then Rawlston Tappin (9) was out to a catch by Michael Hill to give Smith also a second wicket.

West Bromwich were still piling on the runs and scored 34 further runs before their innings ended on 247-5.

The wicket-takers were Wright (2-24), Smith (2-47) and Pinner (1-53), while Charlie Stainforth bowled a long spell of 10 overs, conceding just 48 runs. Chris Russell returned good figures of 17 runs from seven overs, with KCC only giving away 16 extras.

West Bromwich were soon on the attack and continued in the same vein. They took seven catches plus one stumping and won comfortably.

Ex-England ODI bowler Kabir Ali (5-29) did the most damage, while keeper Ian Stevenson took four victims.

Two Kidderminster batsmen, Connor Smith and Liam Weston both scored 30, but there were seven single-figure scores, while Andy Kimberlin (16) and Neil Pinner (13) both struck three fours.

Pinner said: “I thought we bowled quite well and kept West Bromwich down to a reasonable score.

“Chris Russell bowled very well.

“Unfortunately we lost the openers batsmen early on and it put too much pressure on our middle order.

“We’ve not put together a complete performance this season but we’ve played only two games.

“Hopefully we can get out first win of the season at Wolverhampton.”

Two defeats early on has left Kiddy second from bottom but they will be hoping to turn it around at mid-table Wolverhampton on Saturday (noon start).

Craig Wood will not be available for Saturday’s clash in the Black Country. Matt Pardoe and Nathan Round are also not able to play because of work commitments The club are set for a boost when experienced opening bowler Gareth Williams plays for the seconds.

Williams has been sidelined with a knee problem.