DRAW kings Kidderminster finished with their 13th stalemate of the season in Birmingham League Division One against rivals Worcester.

Sean Lloyd's men claimed more of the points though after nearly pulling off a win in the closing stages of an even clash.

KCC elected to bat first on a superb wicket and reached 64 in the 19th over when opener Mark Mansell was trapped leg before.

Gurdeep Kandola joined Steve Davies before the latter was run out from a misunderstanding for a well constructed if slow 58 from 38 overs with the total on 138.

Kandola paced his innings and Craig Wood justified his promotion to number four but ex-KCC man James Wagstaff bowled well.

Kandola was caught by wicket-keeper Adam Binks off Wagstaff (3-64) for 67 to make it 193-3 in the 50th over.

The same bowler claimed Mandeep Singh who was caught for just eight by Richard Franklin while attempting a reverse shot.

At 203-4, KCC were a little disappointing and far more runs should have come from the closing overs.

It took Chris Pyke with a four and a six to enliven proceedings before he fell to Wagstaff's bowling for 12 in the penultimate over.

They finished with Richard Bradford (4 not out) and the promising Wood (37 not out).

Worcester also made a good start in reply with Daryl Mitchell and skipper Andy Mason scoring 75 before the city side began to quake after reaching 140-2.

Singh caught and bowled Mason for 41 in the 21st over, while Binks scored 27 before Pyke removed him from Mansell's bowling.

Mansell (4-68) quickly grabbed the third wicket and the recalled Ted Baylis (2-49) forced out key man Mitchell, caught behind by Davies for 82 with the score on 169.

Worcester were reduced to 181 with six overs left to score 50 runs after Chris Smedley and Chris Franklin departed cheaply.

KCC continued their victory bid by running out Ian Stow for 7 thanks to a great throw.

Rob Richards and Guy Muspratt fended off good bowling until the latter lifted a Mansell delivery into Marc Derrick's hands for 12.

But Richards (20 not out) and Wagstaff saw off the final over from Singh for KCC to again count the cost of a lack of incisive bowling.

They entertain Kenilworth on Saturday (noon).

KCC 231-5, Worcester 212-8.

Joe Hill bowled brilliantly to take 6-19 and restrict Fordhouses seconds to 106 all out.

But KCC came away with just four points after collapsing to 101 in reply.

Fordhouse 106, KCC 2nds 101.

KCC thirds' middle-order batsmen saved a draw in their Worcestershire Saturday League Division Six match at rivals Hallow.

Bowling first, their attack struggled with several dropped catches and mis-fields not helping though leading wicket-taker Lee Daniels (4-31) continued his improved form.

Hallow's 243-7 from 45 overs included an excellent 159 from Martel and was always challenging for the visitors.

Norman Lamb's 25 got KCC off to a good start but a flurry of wickets left them in trouble at 75-5.

Derek Cadwallader launched a counter attack with an excellent 39 and, batting with his father Mike, added 75.

M Cadwallader (25 not out) and Peter Worn (18 not out) secured the losing draw.

Hallow 243-7, KCC 3rds 176-7.