KIDDERMINSTER had to settle for a losing draw away at Walsall last Saturday.

Home opener Alex Mellor hit 142 to set his side on the way to 240. Connor Smith (4-83) was the pick of the visiting bowlers.

Skipper Neil Pinner top scored with 34 in reply but a host of KCC batsmen made starts without going on to bag a big score. They ended their innings on 145-7 from 35 overs.

It means they are now winless from the last two following the previous weekend's defeat at West Bromwich Dartmouth.

KCC will look to bounce back when they welcome Knowle and Dorridge to Chester Road this Saturday (noon start).

Meanwhile, the club’s under-15s were crowned county champions in the ECB U15 National T20 knockout cup, following a thrilling final against Barnt Green.

The team won by 11 runs in last Thursday’s game hosted by Bromsgrove CC, but lost out to 2018 national champions Walmley in Sunday’s regional final in another close-fought game.

Batting highlight in the county final was Elliot Small who retired on 50 not out, and the team finished their innings on 140 for 7.

Kidderminster got off to a great start after the break with Sam Wright having Barnt Green’s opener caught behind by u13 stand-in keeper Dan Newton for 0 off his second ball. Cam Billings took a superb overhead, one handed catch to dismiss their number 3 for 8 runs and Wright comprehensively bowled his replacement on his second ball.

But Archie Greaves-Hall, at number 2, proved more difficult to dislodge and he carried his bat, retiring not out on 54.

His input and a couple of reasonable knocks from the middle order, allowed Barnt Green to catch up with the run rate but the final hurdle proved too great as KCC’s young keeper again displayed his speed behind the wickets, taking a run out for 5 and a stumping for 0, giving Kieran Pointon a wicket maiden in the last over. A great team effort saw Kidderminster take 7 wickets in total.

Wright retired on 52 not out in the regional final, putting him in top spot on the ECB national knock out batting table and helping the team to end their innings on 111 for 8.

In reply, KCC opening bowler Byron Hignell-Halford took Walmley’s top three batsmen, including opener and batsman of the year, Sachin Dubb, caught by u13 Harry Roberts.

A much-needed fourth wicket proved elusive and Walmley went on to snatch a win in the 18th over.