Kenilworth Wardens edged a thrilling Birmingham Premier League division two contest at Pelsall by one run to stretch their unbeaten start to the season to three games.

The hosts looked dead and buried when their response to Wardens' 240 all out floundered at 138 for six. But seventh wicket pair Tom Wright and Andy Bentley then added 94 impressive runs, and when the latter smashed three consecutive sixes from Ali Zaryab's 48th over Pelsall were firm favourites.

However visiting skipper Harry Johnson's re-introduction of pace did the trick as Jabez Weale immediately bowled Bentley before Tom Mordey's superb final over ended with Pelsall a run shy of the 12 required from the last dozen deliveries.

Wardens' captain, who earlier starred with the bat while stroking a brilliant 100-ball 107, was delighted by his team's fighting qualities.

"It was great to see Jabez and Tom hold their nerve and bowl the way they did at the death to get us over the line," he said.

"Our score was probably slightly under par before a good start with the ball pegged them back. After a couple of partnerships it was clear it was going to be tight and it ended up being an amazing win."

Wardens' first visit to Pelsall since the mid 1990's saw Nick Seager (33) and Henry Cullen (25) miss opportunities to develop good starts into big scores.

However, by the time the visitors' wicket-keeper fell at 137, having added 64 with fourth-wicket partner Johnson, his skipper was already in full stride.

Useful lower-order support from Tommy Rex and Neylan Chauhan then allowed the 22-year-old to further expand his innings and as a consequence Wardens posted a useful target.

Todd Henderson (three for 32) was the pick of the home attack while Jamie Holmes, Jujhar Johal and Sadrian Ward all grabbed a brace of wickets.

Following the restart visiting pacemen Rex and Mordey found immediate success, with the home side's former Scotland international Navdeep Poonia among their early victims.

Todd Henderson (37) and Jake Lee (32) staged a fightback through a useful 71-run fourth wicket alliance, but when both were dismissed in quick succession Wardens were firmly in charge.

But home keeper Wright – who made a steady 48 – plus Bentley's 44-ball 51 rapidly changed the face of the game.

However, it was Weale (one for 32) and Mordey (two for 35) who held their nerve to ensure Wardens enter next week's table-topping clash with Bromsgrove with their unbeaten record intact.

"Hopefully this will give us a lot of confidence for the rest of the season," Johnson added. "The lads were ecstatic with the win and hopefully we can kick on from this.

"It's been a great start to the season with different players stepping up in all three games, but there's always room for improvement and we're still seeking a full team performance.

"Bromsgrove are also unbeaten and look a really strong side this year so it will be good to test ourselves and see where we're at."