KIDDERMINSTER Victoria's Birmi-ngham League firsts moved up to second place in Division One with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Walmley.

The victory cranks up the pressure on Smethwick, whose victory over Sutton Coldfield sent them top with previous lea-dersWater Orton losing at Shrewsbury.

KVCC beat Walmley at a canter. Captain Jonathan Wright's knack of winning the toss continued as he called correctly for the 11th time in 13 matches.

Put into bat Walmley soon lost their first wicket with Prowse departing for just five off the bowling of Craig Jennings with Josh Knappet taking the catch.

The young wicket-keeper is fast establishing himself as a fans favourite and taking this match into account, he now boasts 12 catches and four stumpings in five league matches and his ability is giving the team renewed confidence.

Knappett's safe hands struck again for the second wicket this time off Ted Baylis's bowling as Adam Breakspear was dismissed for five.

Daniel Bromley and Tariq Mohammed started gathering the runs in, and Walmley had reached 84 when Marc Derrick struck. Bromley was caught by Craig Wood for 22.

It didn't take long for skipper Nick Breakspear to be removed. Having scored four he gave Nigel Davenport his first of three wickets courtesy of Knappet's third catch. It read 95-4 with 30 overs bowled.

One Walmley player who found the Kidderminster bowling to his taste was opener Mohammed.

While his partners were coming and going he was confidently piling up the runs.

Sanka gave him good support and their total had reached 130-5 in the 41st over when Knappett was in action again when catching Sanka for 18 off Mark Mansell's bowling.

Mohammed had reached 91 and looked set for a well deserved century, but with the scoreboard showing 180 with only five overs remaining, he was bowled by Davenport.

Chris Woakes was also bowled by Davenport for five, Baines Ridgway was stumped Knappett, bowled Mansell for three. The not out batsman was Paul Griffiths with a very good innings of 45 as Walmley made 214-8.

Davenport had once again been KVCC's best bowler, conceding only 46 runs fron 16 overs and taking three wickets.

Mansell took 2-54, Derrick 1-20, Baylis 1-31 in 11 overs, and Jennings 1-32.

It was the return to form of young batsmen Wood and DivanVanWyk, that pleased the KIdderminster camp the most.

Openers, Wright and Wood, had one or two scary moments but settled down. Wright had reached 24 when he was caught at slip by Bromley off Ridgeway.

Wood and Van Wyk had not been getting too many runs in recents games after a bright start to the season, but this dip came to an end as they both struck form.

Their partnership of 138 came to a close when Van Wyk fell leg before to Ridgeway having scored 74 -- a really good innings that will restore the South African's confidence.

Next batsman in was Will Gifford and he soon had the runs coming. His 26 not out included five fours, and it took KIdderminster to victory.

Wood remained unbeaten on 72 and he too looked back to somewhere approaching his best.

Walmley's Ridgeway bowled well conceding only 16 runs from his six overs and taking the two Kidderminster wickets.

It was very convincing win that will give KVCC hope as the tackle two away games at Dorridge and Water Orton.

If skipper Wright can continue to call correctly at the toss, his side can look forward o further success.

KVCC v Walmley. Walmley 214-8 (55 overs), KVCC 218-2 (49 overs). KVCC win by eight wickets.

l KVCC seconds remain top of the Second X1 Premier Division despite a losing draw at Walsall. Godfrey Lamb made an unbeaten 57 as KVCC racked up a total of 202-7, but they were unable to bowl out their hosts who made 226-8.

KVCC fixtures

Saturday: Premier League: Dorridge v KVCC (1pm), KVCC 2nd v Halesowen (1.30pm).

Sunday: KVCC v Redditch, Redditch 2nd v KVCC 2nd (both 2pm), Ombersley v KVCC U-13s (10am).

Tuesday: Worcester v KVCC U-15s (6.30pm).