KIDDERMINSTER Victoria saw their hopes of picking up a much-needed victory in the Birmingham and District League Premier dashed by Walsall on Saturday.

The Chester Road side’s indifferent start to the summer continues after they allowed Walsall to recover from an indifferent start.

KVCC had reduced the Black Country side to 68-4 after Connor Smith had dismissed James Middleton (9) and Sunny Chukski (11).

Michael Hill had Mike Hingley caught behind by Tom Kimberlin for four, while Henry Wright had also trapped Alex McChristie lbw.

But Paul Byrne (89) and David Powles (84) combined to rebuild the innings in a major way, forging a 152-run stand in 25 overs.

The partnership was broken when Ryan Derrick caught Powles off Andy Kimberlin’s bowling but Walsall had posted a huge 261-8.

With figures of 2-14, Smith was the pick of KVCC’s bowlers, while Kimberlin (2-45) also got in on the act.

This was the first game this season in the traditional win, lose or draw form of the game, but KVCC started poorly when Kimberlin was dismissed for a duck.

Only Michael Hill (36) and Andrew Siwick (37) made an impact with the bat.

Craig Wood (3) was caught and bowled by Paul Byrne, while Smith (2) was caught by Alex McChristie, off the bowling off Byrne.

Siwick’s 44-run partnership with captain Jonathan Wright steadied the ship and KVCC reached 118-7.