KIDDERMINSTER secured a narrow away victory over Smethwick last Saturday.

KCC came out on top after reaching their target with just four balls to spare.

A determined unbeaten ninth wicket partnership of 70 between Tom Kimberlin (39 not out) and Liam Weston (45 not out) saw the visitors home by two wickets.

Earlier, Smethwick won the toss and opted to bat but after a spirited start, progress stalled until Gurinder Singh (73) and Sunny Singh (40) came together in the 43rd over at 122 for 4.

By the 53rd over, in which both batsmen were dismissed, the score had risen to 204 for 6, and the innings closed on 220-6 two overs later.

Liam Weston (2 for 56) and Charlie Stainforth (2 for 34) were the main wicket takers.

In reply, Kidderminster found the spin of Smethwick’s Gurinder Singh (2 for 89) and Sunny Singh (4 for 34) challenging, though Connor Smith (43) took them on with five sixes and one four to boost the score.

At 122 for 7 and 154 for 8, the match was delicately poised with the home side slight favourites. However, Kimberlin and Weston were not to be denied and rounded off the match with two impressive fours.

The win takes Kidderminster to fifth in the Birmingham and District League Division One ahead of this Saturday's home game against Barnt Green (noon start).

KCC were without Neil Pinner at Smethwick but the skipper was delighted with how his players got the job done.

He said: "It was a tough wicket from what I heard and it was spinning all game.

"So it was very pleasing with the way we battled and then got over the line.

"We put on 70 for the ninth wicket and that's exactly what we want. We want people having big contributions all the way down the order and they did brilliantly to get the win.

"Coming through a tight game like that gives you real confidence and we'll look to back it up this weekend."

Charlie Stainforth is absent for the clash with Green but Pinner is due to return.