KIDDERMINSTER’S improved performances could see them pick up just their second win of the season when they host Walsall on Saturday, according to captain Neil Pinner.

KCC remain second from bottom of the Birmingham and District Premier League after a winning draw away at Dorridge last weekend.

However, Pinner believes his players are showing improvements in recent matches and fancies his chances of upsetting the mid-table side.

“We lost to Walsall in the first game of the season but we’re a better side now and playing them at home will be a different task,” he said.

“We were very close to a win on Saturday and if we can just improve one or two per cent then I am confident we can get a win.”

Against Dorridge, KCC won the toss on a very dry wicket and had a steady start, despite losing Matt Pardoe (7) early. Andy Kimberlin and Pinner took the score up to 106 before Kimberlin (51) was run out.

James Kinder (28) joined Pinner to take the score up to 201, but before Pinner was finally caught on 114, five runs were added for the loss of four wickets in a poor middle stint from the visitors.

Richard Kimberlin’s 25 set Dorridge a target of 251, who's innings got off to shaky start.

Dorridge lost their first four wickets having scored only 49 runs, but a David Ball (72) and Shatzad Ali (42) partnership took the home side within sight of victory.

Kidderminster’s bowlers and fielders hung on and were able to keep them to 230-8.

Richard Kimberlin (3-34) was the pick of KCC’s bowlers, while county bowler George Scrimshaw, still recovering from a stress fracture, had figures of 2-13.

Pinner was happy with his team’s performance, despite missing out on the winning points. He said: “We started well with the bat and I felt myself and Andy formed a good partnership to put us on top.

“We were unfortunate to lose Andy to a run out and we batted quite well until the end when we lost four wickets to just five runs.

“It was still a solid total, and I’m pleased for myself to get our first 100 of the year, but I must admit that we were left a little disappointed as we could’ve got more runs.

“We started the innings bowling really well, getting them to 49-4, but they had two very good players who were able to form a decent partnership in the middle.

“We could’ve bowled a bit better and if we could’ve got one of the two guys out, it might have been the difference between a draw and a win.”