CAPTAIN Jonathan Wright hailed his team’s all-round display as they put Walsall to the sword in the Birmingham and District League Premier with a seven-wicket victory on Saturday.

A fine bowling display followed by some steady batting ensured KVCC made it two wins out of three so far and lifted them to fourth.

Put into bowl by the visitors after lossing the toss, the the home attack led the way with Gareth Williams taking four, while a three-wicket burst for Andy Kimberlin restricted the Black Country outfit to 214-9.

After the match was disrupted by rain, KVCC’s target for victory was shortened twice to 194.

Despite losing Kimberlin early on, Craig Wood and Zac Turley’s partnership of 78 got the home side back on track.

Wood also forged a stand of 38 with Connor Smith before the former was dismissed on 50 runs.

But Smith, who hit 58 runs, and Marc Edwards guided KVCC to 197-3 to ensure victory.

Wright was delighted by the victory, particularly because it was achieved without the Worcestershire trio of Neil Pinner, Matt Pardoe and Ben Cox.

He said: “It was a great all round display.

“The bowlers did well to keep Walsall to 214 all the batsman did their job in difficult circumstances. I think that win also shatters the myth we struggle without our county players, we didn’t have any of them and won impressively.”

Wright is also expecting the team’s host of young players to keep on impressing.

The likes of Ryan Derrick, Henry Wright, Tim Kimberlin and others all had a taste of first team Birmingham League cricket last season.

“We knew the younger players could do well but we also realised we couldn’t expect them to do it every week, so we took it easy on them,” explained Wright.

“But they’ve got that first season under their belt and are stonger for it. “Apart from myself and Mark Mansell, the average age of the team is 22 or 23 so the future is bright.”

KVCC face a home double header against Walmley. They entertain them in the league on Saturday (noon start) and in the National Knockout Cup on Sunday (1pm start), after it was rained off last weekend.

Wicketkeeper Cox and bowler Chris Whelan are expected to be available after missing the Walsall clash.

Wright is keeping his fingers cross that the rain which has affected this week stops before the action starts.

He added: “The long term forecast is not looking good at the moment but hopefully the weather will have improved by then.”