KIDDERMINSTER Victoria suffered a third straight defeat as they went down by 97 runs to Berkswell and slip from the top spot of Birmingham League Premier.

A star-studded Berkswell side replaced them at the summit.

Berkswell won the toss a decided to bat, but some excellent bowling by Gareth Williams, Connor Smith and skipper Matt Pardoe kept them under control, conceding only 84 runs in the first 21 overs and taking four wickets.

Smith bowled Nick James (12) and Tom Kimberlin stumped Chris Whittock off the bowling of captain Matt Pardoe.

Mark Best (31), and Tom Milnes (2), the latter caught by Andrew Siwicki, both fell to Williams.

A fifth wicket fell with the score on 116, when Darren Maddy (19) was caught by Richard Kimberlin, giving Williams his third wicket in his 16th over.

He was to bowl only one more over, his 17th, finishing with figures of 17-4-3-53.

Then matters changed with a stand of 68 between Dominic Ostler and Oliver Haley, a partnership which was broken when the latter was bowled by Nathan Round with the score 184-6.

The score had only reached 196 when Dan Worrall fell leg before to Round.

Ostler, having spent many years with Warwickshire, had shown his experience, but on 61 he was the victim of a misjudged call, being run out by Ryan Derrick.

Chris Cheslin (20) and Mohammed Ahmed (15) were the not out batsmen as Berkswell set a formidable 251-8.

Kidderminster’s innings started the same as Berkswell’s, losing their first five wickets for 64 runs, but scoring 52 runs less.

Worrall was the bowler in form, finishing with match figures of 15-2-5-55. However, it was Milnes who struck first, having Pardoe caught at slip by Ostler for five.

Things did not improve with Worrall taking the next four wickets with only 59 runs added.

He accounted for Michael Hill (12), Andy Kimberlin (13), Round(6) then Ryan Derrick (4) in the space of 19 overs.

Then KVCC appeared to get back on track with a good stand of 55 between Smith and Siwicki.

They dug in, showing that sensible batting could pay dividends. The unlikely thoughts of a draw came to mind.

Smith had reached 38 when he seemed to have lost his concentration and was out caught by Best.

It was 119-6 after 32 overs, but the impetuous had gone with the last five wickets falling for 35 runs inside 15 overs. Siwicki (20) Wright (8) Richard Kimberlin (8) Williams (2) with Tom Kimberlin 8 not out. Next Saturday KVCC travel to Shrewsbury with a 12 noon start.