KIDDERMINSTER Cricket Club juniors kicked off the season with two good wins at under-11 and Under-13 level last Sunday.

The under-11s, playing in the nine-a-side County League Premier Division beat an under-strength Stourbridge side by 41 runs, finishing on 70 for 7 and bowling out the home team for just 29 in 8 overs.

Top batsmen were Jack Link and Dan Newton, both hitting 12, but as often with young juniors the extras took the lead for both sides each with 29.

Stourbridge, who were two players short, lost all but two of their batsmen for 0 or 1.

Opener Thomas Roberts managed nine before being caught by Sam Austin off Joseph Harrison. Harry Davenport also went for nine after being caught by Jack Link off Nathan Tidmarsh.

Gregor Stuart bowled their number two for a duck and Alice Hatfield claimed two lbws to seal Stourbridge’s fate.

The under-13s scored 91-0 in 12 overs against Bredon to win the first round of their age group’s cup competition.

Bredon finished their innings on 88 for 5, but were easily out played by Kidderminster’s batsmen, with Elliot Small (31) and Sam Wright (30) both retiring not out, helped by Cameron Billings not out on 11 and Dylan Griffiths not out on seven.

Griffiths also took 2 for 7 off 3 overs, with wickets also claimed by Joe Hallowell, Jack Meese and William Udy.

Catches do help win matches – and Billings caught Bredon’s opener off Hallowell for 22, and Josh Longmore caught their number 3 off Meese for 6.

An excellent bowling line up, which also included a tight performance from Wright, and not a single extra from any of the lads.