Stenning steadies the ship to put Wardens in calmer waters

Having won the toss and inserted the visitors on a worn wicket, it was not long before Wardens turned to spin in search of an early breakthrough.

Despite another impressive opening spell from Rajan Bhatti (7-2-14-0), it was hard work for the seamers and the breakthrough only came when Anthony Wilkinson had Richard Kimberlin caught behind by Keith Bell with the score on 38.

A tight spell by Udit Talati, in which some prodigious turn was extracted, was rewarded with the wickets of Michael Hill and Neil Pinner, and at 77 for three Kidderminster looked in some trouble.

Craig Wood counter-attacked but was removed for 24 by Sitanshu Kotak, leaving only Matthew Pardoe to provide resistance to Wardens’ spin attack.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and Kidderminster limped from 117 for four to 177 all out, Pardoe’s fine 85 the only innings of any substance.

Kotak returned four for 45, Wilkinson four for 55 and Talati two for 35.

The home side’s reply started in typically bullish fashion with Nick Seager smashing 35 from just 33 balls as Wardens chalked up a 50-run opening partnership.

Seager’s dismissal did little to alter the course of the innings as Stenning joined Keith Bell at the crease and the pair took Wardens to within striking distance before Bell’s stylish 42 was brought to an end by Kimberlin with the score on 137.

Kotak looked in little trouble as he stroked 19 off the Kidderminster spinners, but it was Stenning’s resolute 68 that eased the home side to victory with ten overs to spare.

Wardens 2nd XI secured a losing draw in a rain-affected top-of-the-table clash with leaders Kidderminster.

Wardens won the toss and elected to bat on a good surface and got off to a strong start with openers Andrew Whitehall and Arjun Bath putting the home attack to the sword before Bath was dismissed by Andy Logan for 31.

The visitors then lost two quick wickets and, after Paul Henderson was removed for 15, Tom Brammer (47) joined Whitehall at the crease and the pair resumed the attack.

Whitehall was finally dismissed for 90 and a quickfire 33 from Harry Johnson took Wardens to 243 for eight from their 50 overs.

A delay for rain left the home side needing 204 from 36 overs to gain the winning draw and openers Henry Wright and James Kinder made a good start, contributing 18 and 36 respectively.

However, it was Andrew Kimberlin (68 not out) and Andrew Siwicki (56) who scored the lion’s share of the runs.

Although Siwicki was eventually removed by Whitehall (2-56), who also accounted for Andy Cavendish (19), it was not enough to prevent Kidderminster from securing the points as they finished on 207 for five.