KIDDERMINSTER extended to nine matches their unbeaten run with captain Matt Pardoe’s free-scoring exploits inspiring a continued push for second spot in the Birmingham and District League.

Opener Pardoe plundered a whopping 116 from 104 deliveries in an impressive knock, which featured no fewer than 16 fours to help wipe out Barnt Green’s stellar total of 275-7 last Saturday.

Then, the skipper blasted 62 from 56 balls, including another 11 boundaries, as Walsall were overpowered by six wickets at Gorway.

It leaves Kidderminster 18 points clear of third-placed Kenilworth with three matches to play, although champions Berkswell are already out of reach.

With rain on the way at Cherry Hill Road, Kidderminster won the toss and asked the hosts to bat with Chris Russell dismissing the scoreless Adam Hussain with only his fourth delivery.

Everything was going to plan until professional pair Ed Pollock (84) and Matt Lamb (106) put on 160 for the third wicket and although Connor Smith (3-56) and Michael Hill (2-47) stemmed the tide, Kidderminster had been set an unenviable task.

The visitors suffered and early loss when Nathan Round was caught for four by Tom Brown from Andy Sutton’s delivery and two more wickets fell with a meagre 23 and 38 runs on the board, respectively.

But Michael Hill (36) shared a 109-run stand with Pardoe to steady the ship before Neil Pinner’s swashbuckling 87 from 54 balls ended Barnt Green’s stubborn resistance. Kidderminster won by posting a reduced total of 273-5, with more than eight overs to spare.

On Monday, Kidderminster put Walsall in to bat with a flurry of wickets stamping their authority on proceedings.

Tom Kimberlin took a trio of catches while Pardoe (3-24) cut through the middle order with ease. Walsall captain David Powles (41) tried to put up a fight but his side were bowled out for 138.

Kidderminster went for the throat and while Walsall’s Ed Denham (2-34) took out the top two, Pinner (36 not out) and Andrew Kimberlin (22no) won the match in 30 overs.