SUPER skipper Neil Pinner led from the front as Kidderminster continued their winning start to the season with a 42 run success at Leamington Spa.

The prolific Pinner plundered 137 not out from 109 balls as Kidderminster posted a compelling total of 291 for six from their allotted 50 overs.

Former Worcester and Leicestershire all-rounder Pinner peppered the boundary with 135 fours and three sixes as the Spa bowlers toiled.

Pinner found plenty of support, Callum Bennett cracking a further 54 while Sinel Gunarathne with 37 and Warwickshire's Adam Hose who added 21, kept the scoreboard ticking over.

In reply, the Spa men were soon struggling with the bat and slumped to 138 for seven at one stage.

Ollie Currill revived their prospects with a hard hitting 60 from 51 balls which contained six sixes and four fours.

Josh De Souza then took up the charge following Currill's departure with a further 55 from 50 balls.

But the Spa side's chase eventually came to a halt on 249 all out with just three balls remaining.

Charlie Stainforth picked up three wickets for 56, but the batting victims were well shared amongst the attack with Liam Weston with two for 39, Chris Steele two for 40 and Alex Rennie two for 47 all getting in on the act.

Kidderminster look to continue their winning ways this Saturday at Chester Road when they host close neighbours Halesowen, who have made an encouraging start to life in top flight Birmingham League cricket, despite suffering slender defeats to champions Berkswell and powerful Knowle and Dorridge.

Halesowen could feel hard done by after losing out to star studded Knowle and Dorridge with just three balls to spare.

That was after Halesowen had posted a positive 246 for eight to chase.

Former Stourbridge opener Alex Bingham again showed superb form with the bat by making 59 while Billy-Jo Cox with 50 and former Worcestershire player Alexei Kervezee on 46 added to a decent total.

It was Warwickshire's Ethan Brookes who turned the game in Knowle and Dorridge's favour.

Brookes bagged four for 46 with the ball and than made 61 with the bat.

Support was on hand from Warwickshire team mate Jacob Lintott who added 53 before Martin Donald saw the Station Road side squeeze home with a further 46 not out.

Barnt Green came unstuck at Smethwick having looked certain winners at one stage.

The Green posted a total of 182 all out off 49.3 overs with Oxfordshire Minor Counties man Robbie Shurmer leading the way with 56.

In reply, Smethwick were soon in trouble at 35 for four before the game turned on its head.

Former County star Kadeer Ali just missed out on a century with 99 not out while Amritpal Singh supplied an unbeaten 64 not out.

The pair shared an unbroken partnership of 148 for the fifth wicket as Smethwick eventually breezed home to a six wicket win with six overs to spare.

Even the inclusion of Northamptonshire's Graeme White could prevent Himley from suffering a hefty 80 run reverse at relegated Walsall in Birmingham League Premier Two.

After being inserted to bat first, Walsall soon lost Warwickshire's Chris Benjamin for nine.

India overseas player Om Bhosale then took charge with 95 off 108 balls while Amit John added 31.

The pair provided the backbone of Walsall's 205 all out in 47 overs, promising off-spinner Ben Robinson bagging three for 25.

Himley's reply never really got going as they had no answer to Walsall's strike bowlers Jordan Bulpitt who took five for 27 while James Rogers ripped out three for 43.

Only Adam Passmore with 23 made much impression with the bat as Himley were bowled out for 125 in 37 overs.

Bromsgrove's Ashley Newfield netted a superb score of 122 not out but still finished up on the losing side.

Birmingham League newboys Lichfield battled back to secure a six wicket win.

Newfield's efforts enabled Bromsgrove to reach 247 for six only for Lichfield to chase their target down in reply.

Stuart Fielding fired an impressive 91 with Leicestershire's Ben Mike adding 66 before Brinder Phagura saw last season's South Staffordshire champions over the line with 46 not out.