CRAIG Wood hit top form as Kidderminster Victoria stepped up their title charge with a five wicket win over Shifnal in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division on Saturday.

Wood has had a quiet season so far but he exploded into life with a patient 89.

Victory was also enough to see Kidderminster rise one place to second and ensure they lie just three points behind the new leaders Barnt Green.

Kidderminster captain Jonathan Wright won the toss and opted to put the home team into bat.

It proved to be a wise decision by the skipper, as Kidderminster claimed three wickets in the first seven overs for just 20 runs.

Dave Pashley was caught by James Taylor off paceman Kevin Forde's delivery for 15 runs, Whitney (5) was dismissed by Ted Baylis.

Forde bagged his second wicket when he had Sultan (2) caught by wicketkeeper Josh Knappett.

Shifnal made a good recovery when former Kidderminster player James Ralph and Dewayne Bowden carved out a partnership of 100 in 25 overs.

Mark Mansell broke up the partnership when he had Bowden caught for 48 runs by Forde.

Ralph was proving to be the backbone of Shifnal's batting order but he was well supported by Andy Gray, who hit 21 before he was dismissed Wright.

A stand of 49 between Ralph and Parker ensured Shifnal was notching up the runs but Baylis dismissed Parker for 22.

But as batting partners and the overs ran out it began clear than Ralph would be denied a deserved century.

Ralph's final partner, Adam Shimmons, was bowled for two runs, ensuring Ralph had to settle for an undefeated 99.

The Shifnal big hitter had batted for 164 minutes, faced 142 balls, and smashed eleven fours and a six as he has helped Shifnal to 220-6.

Kidderminster bowlers Forde and Baylis took two wickets each, while Wright, and Mansell took one apiece.

Wright made a powerful start to Kidderminster's innings by smashing two sixes, but he fell victim to Sultan's bowling and was caught by Gray for just 19 runs.

Josh Knappett grabbed singles with a patient 37 not out, a innings which included only one boundary.

But it was Wood's polished 89 that made the difference as Kidderminster made 224-5 in 45 overs.

n Kidderminster's 17-year-old batsman, James Taylor, has been bagging the runs for university and country in recent weeks.

The Worcestershire player, who is a student at Shrewsbury School, played in the Elite Development games at Loughborough University, hitting 111 not out against the North team and 85 against the South.

He then started slowly but found his form while playing for England under-17s against Pakistan over two matches.

He started with scores of 10 and 30 but hit 14 and an impressive 75 in the second game.