KIDDERMINSTER can expect to start climbing the Birmingham League Premier table after they continued their upward trend with a convincing six-wicket win over Walsall this week.

After restricting Walsall to a below par 187 all out having been 67 for seven at one stage, Kidderminster than knocked off the runs with consummate ease.

Kidderminster spokesman Ian Kimberlin claimed: “We can look forward to the second half of the season with great deal of optimism.

“It hasn’t been the easiest of starts when you consider we’ve been without skipper Matt Pardoe and Nathan Round.”

“They would walk into any Birmingham League Premier side and make a major contribution.

“They miss two more games through their school commitments and I think we’ve done really well in the circumstances.

“We asked everyone to step up to the plate in their absence and the players have done just that.

“We were missing top order batsman and seam bowler Mike Hill for the game with Walsall. Mike has been in great form this season not only for Kidderminster but Staffordshire as well in the Minor Counties competition.

“So we moved Jonathan Wright up the order and he responded with a patient 50.

“But it was the contribution of Connor Smith and Liam Weston which did most of the damage. They can do no wrong at the moment with both bat and ball.”

Hill is set to return for Kidderminster’s trip to Walmley on Saturday.

The Chester Road club will also check on the fitness of fellow seamer Gareth Williams before naming their side. Williams returned from injury and played for Kidderminster’s Second XI against Moseley where he took four for 28 off 15 overs.

Kimberlin said: “He had a real good workout but we’ll wait to see whether there’s any reaction after nets this week before deciding on the line-up.”

Kidderminster must also wait to see whether they have use of Worcestershire strike bowler Chris Russell.

Russell is due to travel with Worcestershire’s squad for their T20 Blast match against Lancashire in Manchester on Friday night. and Kimberlin confirmed: “It’s 50-50 whether Chris will be available to us.” Kimberlin also confirmed some of the younger players had been catching the eye in the Second XI.

He said: “Sam Beadsworth has been scoring plenty of runs recently while both James Kinder and George Hatfield are back available after school duty. These players will get their chance at some point. Once we have everyone back available, we will be able to select from a position of strength.” The seconds were involved with a close encounter against Moseley in the Birmingham League.

Gareth Williams grabbed four wickets while skipper Mark Mansell snapped up three for 30 as Moseley were restricted to 140 for nine from a full 50 overs.

In reply, Kidderminster had reached 132 for nine from their 50 overs having been 45 without loss at one stage, Lewis Stainforth supplying top score of 34.