RELEGATED Kidderminster fell to a three-wicket loss in their final Birmingham and District Premier League game at Walsall.

The result sentenced them to a bottom-of-the-table finish as they lost their status at the top level for the first time in 106 years.

However, the seconds battled their way to a victory to keep a place in their Premier competition.

Kidderminster firsts scored 50 runs for the first wicket with James Pipe doing the damage.

Worcestershire's reserve wicket-keeper scored 43 runs off just 19 balls but as the innings progressed, the fragile batting was again in evidence.

Wickets fell at 52 and 66 runs as Kidderminster eventually staggered to 120-9 before a flurry of 41 for the last wicket.

Phil Newport had been second highest scorer with 18 but skipper Mark Mansell finished on 41 not out.

There was a sensational start to the Walsall innings when Newport bowled Chris Boroughs first ball.

But the home team recovered their senses and batted steadily as they moved towards victory in 50 overs.

Once again, ex-England man Newport proved his worth with 3-46 off 18 overs, while Paul Thomas took 2-31 and Richard Wilkinson 2-51.

Kidderminster drop down to Division One with another old established club West Bromwich Dartmouth who lost to Knowle and Dorridge.

Next season will prove whether Kidderminster's young players are as good as they promise to be.

Kidderminster 161-9, Walsall 162-7.

Meanwhile, Kidderminster's seconds finished above Leamington and Bedworth to avoid relegation.

Mansell allowed Gavin Evans to field three first teamers to help them avoid relegation.

And they won their final game by six wickets against Walsall, taking 20 points to their opponents' two.

The home side won the toss and invited Walsall to bat first.

They managed 145 in 49 overs with Mandeep Singh taking 5-47 and Marc Derrick 3-38.

Kidderminster got the required runs in 33 overs with Amit Sharma (42), Ian Tidmarsh (32) and Singh (33 not out) firing them to the points.

Kidderminster 149-4, Walsall 145.

Fixtures, Sunday: Halesowen v 1sts, 2nds v Halesowen (both 1.30pm).