A fine all-round display from Josh Baker steered Kenilworth Wardens to a thrilling three-wicket Birmingham Premier League Division Two success at Wem yesterday.

First the teenager claimed 1-49 from a controlled 17-over spell of left-arm spin as the hosts were dismissed for 209 in the last of their 55-over allocation.

Baker then finished the job by smashing a match-clinching unbeaten 18-ball 30 as the visitors recovered from a precarious 168 for seven to claim the spoils with three overs in hand.

His eighth-wicket partner Andy Leering, who finished with a well-compiled unbeaten 46, also claimed a share of the batting plaudits as did Pakistani pro Ali Zaryab whose fluent 91-ball 66 rescued Wardens' chase from a slow start.

Captain Harry Johnson was thrilled to inflict Wem's first defeat of the season and quick to recognise the significance of Baker and Leering's contributions.

"I thought 209 was about par," he said.

"Wem looked as though they were on their way to a commanding total until a run out from Henry Cullen changed the direction of the innings. With Josh building pressure while the seamers operated from the other end we then reined them in well.

"We got off to a fairly modest start with the bat but Ali, Andy and Josh then showed excellent game awareness and application to get us over the line.

"Josh has been really good so far this season. He's extremely reliable with the ball, getting drift, turn and bounce out of most surfaces to challenge both edges. He is a real handful for any batter.

"The way he batted yesterday, with some of the cleanest striking you'll see, shows he's also quickly turning into an excellent all-rounder.

"It was great to see Andy bat the way he did; we all know he's capable of playing these match-winning innings and his stroke-making was high class."

An elegant half-century from overseas' pro Mohit Kale plus a useful contribution from opener Harry Chandler (38) enabled Wem to lay the base for a big total.

However, Baker then applied the brake to good effect while Tommy Rex grabbed three wickets in a useful second spell.

With Tom Mordey also adding two lower-order scalps to his earlier dismissal of Chandler, Wardens knew 210 would move them ahead of opponents who started the day at the top of the table.

A pedestrian 60 for four was not the start required, however, but the arrival of Zaryab upped the tempo significantly.

The Central Punjab left-hander added 74 in a busy sixth-wicket alliance with Leering before he became Andrew Harrison's second victim with 49 still required.

Mordey quickly followed, but if there were some late nerves in the Wardens camp Baker's fine knock soon calmed them and thoughts to turn to another top-of-the-table clash with Halesowen next Saturday.

"It sets things up well for Halesowen's visit to Glasshouse Park next week," Johnson added.

"We are only separated by one point at the top of the table after they bowled Dorridge out for 50 this week, so we're all really looking forward to another tough challenge."