THE Worcestershire opened their ‘A’ team league title defence with a 5-1 home victory over Kidderminster.

Captain Steve Bradshaw bowed out at the top and handed over to Andy McCabe for the competition which involves six pairs in better ball matches playing off handicaps of 12 and below.

The strong pairing of Paul Wakely (10 handicap) and Gerald Bird (6) won one-up with the latter sinking a sixfoot putt on the 18th hole.

Jason Allies (4) and Andy Dunster (6) came up against an inspired pairing, losing on the last one down.

McCabe (6) and Philip Birch (6) shook hands on the 15th after a 4 and 3 victory.

Mark Reed junior (5) and Richard Sebok (12) gained an impressive 6 and 5 victory which was equalled by Nick Smith (5) and Lee Whitall (7).

New pairing Phil Park (10) and Brian Kendall (12) secured a fine 4 and 2 win.

The ladies’ winter knockout final was in dry and sunny but cool conditions.

Alison Tuck (16) took on match-play specialist Penny Stevenson (27) and, despite conceding a double handful of shots, secured victory with a par on the 15th hole.

The losing semi-finalists were Veronica Shaw, who recovered from illness to take Tuck to the 19th hole, and Helen Thomas.

An Easter three-ball alliance competition was won by Liz Evans, Cath Francis and Mary Horrobin with 72 points.

Runners-up were Jen Bishop, Cathy Harris and Julia Radley on 70.