THE Worcestershire opened with a spirited defence at home to Kidderminster after winning the ‘A’ Team League for the past two years.

The Malvern Wells club secured a fine 4.5-1.5 victory with a good win for new member Andy Fleming (handicap 12) and Richard Sebok (8).

They finished one up with Sebok holing a crucial putt on the 18th.

Also winning one up on the last were Gerald Bird (6) and Paul Wakely (9).

Tom Howells (4) and Andy McCabe (5) triumphed two up with the former in particularly good form, closing the match out with birdies on the last three holes.

But the result of the day was a 4&3 victory for Jamie Dunster (scratch) and Steve Carter (11).

Peter Lupino (+1) and Brian Kendall (12) halved their match, while Mark Reed (5) and Andy Dunster (6) lost on the last one down to an inspired away pairing.

Captained by McCabe, the squad will play sides from Droitwich, Kidderminster, Sapey, Evesham and Worcester Golf and Country Club home and away.

The fixtures, involving six pairs playing better ball matches, are open to players of 12 handicap and below.

Howells made it through with Kendall to the winter league final when they beat father-and-son pairing David and Josh Marshall on the 18th hole.

Their opponents will be Paul Jones and Pete Basten, who defeated Sebok and Fleming, also on the 18th.

In the ladies’ monthly medal, talented England girls' training squad member Lucy Walton started her club season with a convincing win, recording a nett score of 73.

The 14-year-old reduced her handicap to 2.9.

Following her in the medal were Jen Bishop (77) and Cathy Harris (78).

Similar scores were recorded in the Bronze Division with Jane Quick carding 77 from Lisa Digings (78) and Penny Stevenson (80).

The winner of the 18-hole stableford competition was the Bronze Division’s Janet Long on 31 points.

Jill Mico was second in the division with 26 and Vanessa Chesterton third on 23.

Ursula Pearson took the Silver Division with 26, beating Sandra Schofield on count-back.

Pauline Stow won the Copper Division with 25 from ladies' captain Faith Tubb (25).

In the ladies’ winter eclectic competition played over 12 holes, the Bronze Division’s Stevenson triumphed with a nett score of 33.42.

The Silver Division’s Alison Tuck was runner-up on 36.83.

Other prize-winners included Quick (37.08) and Pat Rose (37.50).

Gross accolades were awarded to Sue Boardman in the Silver Division with 48 on count-back from Sally Dare and Digings in the Bronze Division with 55 on count-back from Veronica Shaw.

On a blustery day with drizzle, 10 The Worcestershire pairs played their first mixed match of the year at Droitwich.

Playing conditions were not easy but the hosts overcame the conditions to win 7-3.

Sally and Andrew Dare triumphed for the Worcestershire as did Tubb and her husband Mike.

June and Gordon Jones and Yvonne and Mike Cawley halved their matches.

The Worcestershire host Ludlow in a mixed contest on May 11.