KIDDERMINSTER Victoria came crashing back down to earth this week after finding themselves on the receiving end of a 205 run thrashing from defending champions West Bromwich Dartmouth.

It brought an abrupt halt to Kidderminster's six match winning spree and skipper Matt Pardoe offered no excuses for their poor performance and insisted: "It was just a very bad day at the office and a game to forget!

Dartmouth were allowed to run riot with the bat and built a huge total of 318 for seven before blowing Kidderminster's batsmen away for a modest 113 runs.

Former Worcester and Gloucestershire opening bat Kadeer Ali set the tone for Dartmouth by making 89 runs before Brinder Phagura with 116 and Pakistan overseas player Sarmad Bhatti, who added a further 67, put Kiddedrminster's bowling attack to the sword.

Kadeer then came back to taunt Kidderminster with the ball by taking four for 33 from 11.4 overs.

He helped reduce Kidderminster to 12 for three at one stage as their front line batsmen failed. Only Nathan Round with 33 could make any impression Pardoe pointed to the absence of his strike bowler Connor Smith as a big factor in the defeat and said: "Connor has been really effective for us at the start of the innings. We missed his early control and struggled to get it back.

"It was just one of those things - it happens and we need to move on quickly."

Pardoe will be relieved to have Connor Smith back opening the attack this Saturday when Kidderminster travel to face second placed Walmley in the Birmingham League's match of the day.

Walmley's winning draw against powerful Berkswell last week has taken them to within two points of league leaders Kidderminster and Pardoe accepts he cannot afford to have another below par show adding: "I just hope Connor continues to show the good form he's produced this season. He was the only player missing from the previous week, but clearly his absence makes a difference."

Smith will open the bowling attack along with Gareth Williams, but Pardoe will be without experienced allrounder Jonathan Wright for the trip to Eldon Drive