A DEFIANT innings by captain Jonathan Wright ensured Kidderminster Victoria CC got the better of Wellington on Saturday and kept them in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division title shake-up.

Wright's determined 33 made sure KVCC held off a fine Wellington bowling attack at Chester Road and earn 20 points.

While they dropped down to third in the table, with leaders Knowle and Dorridge's game at Moseley abandoned because of rain, KVCC are only 31 points behind the pacesetters with six games left.

Once again, the home side's considerable batting depth proved to be the difference after their bowlers had done the work.

Wellington were kept to 208-9 in 55 overs, with middle order batsmen James Ralph starring with the ball.

KVCC were without injured bowling duo Gareth Williams and his replacement James Smith, so Alex Hills was promoted from the seconds to the first team.

Matt Pardoe made the breakthrough when he removed Tom Saunders (5) and Gerry Strydom (5).

Teenager Hills grabbed a confidence boosting wicket when he clean bowled Ben Price (2), before Steve Lamb and Adam Byram guided Wellington from 35-82.

That partnership was broken when Craig Wood had Byram caught for 21 by Wright.

But Wellington recovered well and an 80 run partnership between Lamb and Wendel Wagner gave bowlers Mark Mansell and Wright a hard time.

The introduction of Ralph made the difference with a four-wicket burst for just 34 runs laying waste to Wellington's hopes of continuing their fight back.

Ralph had Wagner stumped by keeper Jon Smith for 43, while Chris Sheperd drove hard at the ball but was out to a brilliant catch by Neil Pinner.

He then bowled Mark Downes (1) and then captured the prize wicket of Lamb with a second stumping by Smith.

But KVCC's top order batsmen also struggled and Pardoe (5), Wood (0) and Pinner (11) were dismissed in the first 14 overs, all victims of Anthony O'connor, as the home team were reduced to 35-3.

Two batsmen came to the rescue. James Ralph and Andrew Kimberlin had a stand of 81, scored in 18 overs.

The gritty pairing pounced on any quick singles, while Ralph reached 61, an innings that included four boundaries and two sixes.

Andrew Siwicki kept the pace going for a quickfire 19 before being caught by Strydom off the bowling of Wagner.

Kimblerlin went for 57 runs after being caught by Saunders off the bowling of Mark Downes. He had played a pivotal role in supporting Ralph.

KVCC still needed 49 runs to win with six wickets down, but skipper Wright soon showed he had victory in his sights. Jon Smith played his usual supporting role while the captain set about the bowling.

Smith’s patience came to an end when he reached nine, having faced 28 balls after he was caught Wagner bowled Downes.

The Chester Road side will be aiming to build on that win at Walmley on Saturday (noon start).