CAPTAIN Jonathan Wright is hoping Kidderminster Victoria can immerse themselves in the magic of the Cockspur National Knockout Cup and go on another inspiring run.

KVCC tackle Birmingham and District League Premier Division rivals and current leaders Knowle and Dorridge on Sunday (1pm start) in their regional semi-finals.

Victory would ensure KVCC take another step closer to the national knockout stages.

Wright is well aware of the excitement a run in club cricket’s premier knockout competition can generate after they blazed a trail in 2007, when they reached the quarter-finals before losing to Kibworth.

On their journey, their clashes generated large crowds home and away.

“The National Knockout Cup is a competition we want to progress in,” commented Wright.

“The town rallies around the club and we tend to get big crowds for the matches.

“It’s a competition which helps the club to gel, the supporters go away to matches and really get behind the team.”

KVCC are chasing glory on more than one front this season and they will be also hoping to enhance their title hopes in the Premier Division, when they take on second-placed Kenilworth Wardens at home on Saturday(12pm start).

Wardens have been the season’s surprise package with their rise to the top.

Wright pin-pointed bowlers Sitansu Kotak and James Jordan as the Warwickshire side’s biggest threat.

He said: “I think it’s a surprise that Kenilworth Wardens are up there because they rely heavily on two very good bowlers.

“At the start of the season we thought this was a fixture we could do well in and that is still my hope.”

The captain also believes that the club need to make a definite decision about New Zealand bowler Kevin Forde, who has yet to arrive in the country to play for KVCC because of visa problems.

Wright is confident he has the bowlers to compete, including Worcestershire fast-bowler Imran Arif.

“The club will be making a decision about him [Forde] very soon,” added Wright.

“We’re doing well without him and we can’t hang on forever for him, with all due respect to the lad.

“We’ve got Imran Arif, who is a county player and he is a good replacement.”

KVCC moved into round two of the League’s Twenty20 Cup with a victory over Old Hill.

Alex Hills, James Smith, Matt Pardoe and Wright took two wickets apiece as Old Hill were restricted to 124-9.

Neil Pinner (40) and James Ralph (19), Craig Wood (13), Matt Pardoe (13) and Andy Siwicki (10 not out) got the runs as KVCC secured victory in the 16th over. KVCC now face Halesowen at Chester Road next Wednesday (6.30pm start).