KIDDERMINSTER Victoria captain Matt Pardoe couldn’t contain his delight as his Chester Road side continued their winning start to the campaign with a comprehensive five-wicket win over Birmingham League Premier Division newcomers Ombersley.

Strike bowler Connor Smith set the tone with a splendid 10 over spell after Ombersley were inserted to bat.

Smith snapped up figures of two for 14, including the key wicket of danger man Liam Gwynne, as Ombersley struggled for runs.

Pardoe said confirmed: “Connor was absolutely fantastic. He was swinging the ball all over the place and put the batsmen under pressure and kept them like that.

“To be fair, Everyone bowled and fielded incredibly well.”

As a result, Ombersley were reduced to 156 all out, just five balls short of their allotted 50 overs.

Pardoe picked up three for 20 off 9.1 overs with his off-spin, while seam bowler Nathan Round bagged an impressive four for 33 from his 10 overs stint.

The real threat to Kidderminster’s victory charge came from the rain, which arrived during the tea interval.

After a delay to proceedings, Kidderminster were given a revised target of 135 to win off 35 overs.

Pardoe claimed: “The target was well within our capabilities - but we were more worried about the rain coming back in again, so we went for it from the word go and knocked the runs off in just over 21 overs.”

Once again, Pardoe led the from the front, the former Worcestershire opening bat hitting cracking a quickfire 62 while Craig Wood remained unbeaten on 29 not out as Kidderminster cantered to 136 for five in just 21 overs.

Pardoe will be imploring his side to produce more of the same This Saturday when they go to attempt to extend their winning start to the season at Kenilworth Wardens.