KIDDERMINSTER Victoria CC roared back into title contention in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division with a seven-wicket win over Leamington at Chester Road.

The win lifted KVCC one place to fourth and more importantly cut the gap on leaders Knowle and Dorridge, who slipped up against bottom side Shrewsbury, to just 12 points.

The win was inspired by a century from Matt Pardoe, after impressive bowling by captain Jonathan Wright (5-67).

In the absence of Worcestershire paceman Imran Arif, Ted Baylis and Matt Pardoe opened the bowling and with the score on 24, the hosts claimed the first wicket when Alex Philips was caught Andy Kimberlin and bowled by Pardoe for 17.

Philips' fellow opener Simon Magill had a few scary moments but batted well and together with Mark Lewis guided the visitors to 84. The partnership was ended when captain Jonathan Wright had Lewis caught by wicketkeeper Jon Smith for 22 runs.

The home side kept the pressure on with the dismissals of Tom Lewis (8), who was bowled by Wright, and Smith caught Robert Williams (3), as Leamington slumped to 130-4 after 41 overs.

However, Magill continued to frustrate KVCC's bowlers before he was run out on 82 runs.

More sharp KVCC fielding saw David Bailey ran out for 31 runs, which left the away side struggling on 176 with only a few overs left.

The hosts kept the heat on Leamington. A catch by Ted Baylis and a stumping by Jon Smith, gave Wright two more wickets.

Both Luke Radford and Faisal Irfan scored 15 runs each.

Jack Hawkes and Chris Cheslin finished not out on six and one respectively as Leamington ended their innings on 208-8.

Craig Wood and Pardoe got KVCC's run-chase off to the perfect start when they smashed 78 off the first 20 overs.

A 40 minute rain break delayed KVCC's reply but the duo powered them to 164 before Wood (60) was caught by Bailey off Tom Lewis' delivery.

Fourteen runs later, Neil Pinner was caught by Phillips off Lewis for one run.

Pardoe's impressive innings, which had seen him make 115 off 107 balls, came to an end when he was caught by Philips.

James Ralph (23 not out) and Ted Baylis (one not out) made sure there were no wobbles as they finally wrapped up the match with sixteen overs to spare.

On Saturday KVCC take on struggling Moseley in the league (12pm start).