WITH three games of the season left, Kidderminster Victoria are still not quite safe from relegation in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division.

After losing to Shrewsbury on Saturday and Monday’s clash against Berkswell abandoned because of heavy rain, the Chester Road side are third from bottom.

But they do boast an important 28-point cushion over Walsall and Himley in the drop zone.

On Saturday, KVCC won the toss and asked the home team to bat.

Only one player, Tom Cox (94) gave Shrewsbury a reasonable score, with only two others getting into double figures.

KVCC also conceded 23 extras, which was the second highest score.

Gareth Williams (3-26) dismissed Steve Leach for six.

If not for Cox, who struck 94 balls off 122 balls, Shrewsbury would have been dismissed for less than the 187 they reached.

Wickets fell steadily, with Michael Hill (3-58) and Connor Smith (2-59) doing well, as well as one wicket each for Richard Kimberlin and Neil Pinner.

After a break for rain, KVCC needed to score 176 in 42 overs to win the game.

A good start was required, but it is not something Kidderminster has excelled at this season. Matt Pardoe (13) was caught by Leach bowled by Mike Barnard.

The second wicket brought a stand of 48 between Richard Kimberlin and Hill, but it ended when the former dismissed LBW by Sam Griffith for 44.

Griffiths took his second wicket when he bowled Pinner second ball, and Hill (13) was removed by Dewi Jones as KVCC lost their top four batsmen for 75 runs in 22 overs.

Craig Wood and Zac Turley were batting well together, but Wood (14) was caught by Barnard off Elliott Green’s bowling.

Zac Turley was hitting the ball well, including one big six, but on 25 he too was caught by Patrick Butler.

Two wickets went down at 143 when Smith was bowled by Jones for eight, and at 147 when Tom Kimberlin, having been struck on his helmet, was caught by Green bowled Jones for a duck.

Final two batsmen Ryan Derrick and Gareth Williams needed to score 29 runs in three overs.

Derrick batted well, hitting four fours, but on 27 he was caught by Rob Foster, while Williams was six not out.

KVCC have three games left to make sure of their place in the Birmingham League next season.

They entertain Brockhampton on Saturday (noon start).

Kidderminster visit Brockhampton on September 6 and complete a testing campaign at home to current leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth.