Birmingham League

PETE Stevens shone as Kidderminster Victoria took full advantage of the Shrewsbury summer sunshine to record their first Birmingham League Premier Division victory.

Stevens starred with the bat for KVCC - but their five-wicket win was not without some serious moments of concern.

Shrewsbury, who were promoted as champions ahead of second-placed Kidderminster last season, won the toss and decided to bat first.

But they never broke free from some persistently accurate bowling, with Jonathan Miles and Ted Baylis proving particularly effective.

Miles took 4-33 in 15 overs, and Baylis 2-25 in 12 as the Shropshire hosts lost wickets steadily.

After shaking at 60-6 after 25 overs Shrewsbury rallied to almost double the score as the openers tired.

But the rest of the batting soon subsided to the spin attack of Vishal Bhatia, Mark Mansell and Nigel Davenport as the home side closed at 141 in the 52nd over.

Despite a lack of match practice so far this season, KVCC's batsman should have been confident of chasing a seemingly undemanding target.

But they lost early wickets quickly and, after 20 minutes, the score stood rather worryingly at 10-3.

To the rescue came skipper Jonathan Wright and Stevens, who rebuilt the innings in a typically positive fashion.

By the time Wright was lbw for 31, the score was 63 at a rate of nearly five an over.

Davenport batted well for 17 to keep the momentum going before being caught with the total at 106.

Baylis, with 11 not out, shared in reaching the required target but Stevens was the hero of the hour.

He was unbeaten on 76 from 82 balls, having hit two sixes and eight fours, during 107 minutes at the wicket.

In the 32nd over, an important victory was complete, one which moves the side up to sixth place in the Premier League table.

Chairman Norman Broadfield said: "Shrewsbury were promoted from Division One with KVCC last season, and the match was an important test of how the two clubs have progressed.

"It's early days, and the season is only just starting after all the awful weather, but we are looking for continuing improvement."

KVCC host Himley in the Premier Division at 1pm on Saturday.

Crusader Worcestershire County League

l Kidderminster Victoria's County League firsts will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes when they visit Coombs Wood on Saturday.

They suffered a 141-run defeat at home to Stourbridge last weekend, the third setback of a poor start which has also included three abandonments and a draw.

Stourbridge posted a hefty total of 248-7 - despite Steve Yarsley taking 4-45 - and KVCC only managed 107 in reply.

l Stourport secured a winning draw against Pedmore in Division Three North.

Mark Moss hit a controlled 85 and David Cook contributed a typically aggressive 81 not out as Stourport posted 250-5.

And the pick of the bowlers were Adam Selleck and Andy Platt with two wickets each as Pedmore were restricted to 210-8.

There was no such joy for the seconds who lost a close match to Pedmore by one wicket after poor batting.

Clive Judd was the only player to get going with the bat, making 28, as Stourport were all out for 172.

And Pedmore clinched victory with three balls remaining, skipper P Maley knocking off the winning runs.

Stourport have installed new benches at Walshes Meadow and would like to welcome new fans when they host Old Halesonians at 1.30pm on Saturday.