KIDDERMINSTER Victoria Cricket Club have been encouraged to impose their own game on their Birmingham League rivals after their first win back in the top flight.

A clinical bowling display and some gritty batting from Pete Stevens helped them to a five-wicket victory at Shrewsbury last weekend.

And they go into Saturday's home clash with Himley bristling with confidence after a promising start to the Premier Division season.

"It was nice to go into a game where the sun was shining and there were no concerns about the weather," said coach Ross Edwards.

"We knew that if we played the game we were capable then we would get a positive result and that's what happened.

"We've got some talented players at this club at first team level and below and we've got to concentrate on our own strengths rather than worry about other teams."

Edwards paid tribute to Stevens for helping KVCC across the finishing line with an unbeaten knock of 76.

Stevens left Chester Road in good form midway through last season to go travelling in Australia but he has returned in determined mood.

He added: "The good thing about it is when a batsmen gets in they are seeing us home, like Pete did against Shrewsbury and Andrew Siwicki did against Old Hill."