CRAIG Wood's 88 ensured Kidderminster Victoria comprehensively defeated Wellington by 73 runs to rise up the Birmingham and District League table on Saturday.

The team bounced back from the disappointment of missing out on winning the title with an impressive performance, which was inspired by Wood's batting.

Victory lifted Kidderminster into fourth in the table and ensured that with a game to go they can still finish as high as third in the table.

With Jonathan Wright absent Wood took the captain's armband and lived-up to his responsibility with a crucial knock.

Opener Mark Mansell made only 13 runs but Andrew Kimberlin, making his debut for KVCC, guided his side to 42 before being caught and bowled by Anthony O'Connor for 17 runs. When Josh Knappett was caught and bowled by O'Connor Kidderminster were reduced to 54-3.

But Wood and Will Gifford took the game by the scruff of its neck and their fifth wicket partnership added 29 more runs.

Their defiance was ended when Gifford was caught and bowled by Gavin Byram.

Andrew Siwicki came to the crease and together with Wood turned the game in KVCC's favour by forging a 119-run partnership.

Wood's excellent innings came to an end when Byram had him caught by Dennis Hampton.

Siwicki (32) also fell victim to Bryam but Sean Lloyd (10) and Ted Baylis grabbed some late runs as Kidderminster ended their innings on 237-8.

Wellington were no match for Kidderminster's excellent bowling and the safe hands of wicket keeper Knappett, who held onto six catches.

New Zealand paceman Kevin Forde had one of his best days of the season, with a six wicket haul that tore the heart out of Wellington's batting order.

Hugh Brown (9) and Harding (5) and Tim Hancock (15) all fell foul of the Forde and Knappett combination. Jon Miles then dismissed Micky Davidson (20) and Mark Downes (0), as Kidderminster turned the screws and reduced Wellington to 59-5.

Adam Byram had guided his side to 98 when he was caught and bowled by Mansell, before Stuart Black was caught by Wood off Forde's bowling.

Forde them removed Robinson and O'Connor (3) was caught and bowled by Mansell.

Gavin Byram was the only Wellington batsman to stand up to Kidderminster's bowlers but he became Forde's sixth victim when he had him caught by Knappett for 57 runs, as Wellington were bowled out for 164.

Kidderminster will be hosting the League President's Trophy at Chester Road on Sunday (11am start).

A representative team from the Middlesex League will take on a team from the North Eastern Premier League in a 45 over game.