Cricket
Harvington make progress near the top

HARVINGTON maintained third place in Worcestershire League Division Three and closed the gap on the two sides above them with a comfortable nine-wicket victory at Kidderminster 3rds on Saturday.

After being put into bat the home side struggled throughout their innings against the pace and hostility of South African quickie Jo Venter, who was well supported with the new ball by Steve McKelvie who took the first two wickets to fall.

Venter soon got in on the act with three wickets of his own, whilst Harvington caught well throughout, especially considering the erratic bounce of the wicket led to catches at point and gully.

Kidderminster were eventually dismissed for 81.

In reply, with the bad weather closing in, Harvington set about their victory target positively as Jamie Anderson - promoted up the batting order - struck a 25-ball unbeaten 43.

Andrew Fisher also hit the ball cleanly before being the only Harvington batsman to lose his wicket for 31.

Harvington reached their victory target within eight overs and tomorrow will look to maintain their excellent progress at home to Malvern.

Harvington 2nds lost the reverse fixture to a strong Kidderminster 4ths team.

Kidderminster amassed 264-8 in 50 overs despite some impressive bowling from stand-in skipper Jethro Chadwick who led from the front with 5-46 off 13 overs.

In reply Harvington were dismissed for 182, in which Chris Andrews (47) and John Burman (43) top scored, as Kidderminster took the final wicket with seven balls to spare.

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