WORCESTERSHIRE have landed the Midlands County Chess Team Championship for the first time since 1947.

They beat Lincolnshire 8½-7 ½ at Frolesworth, Leicestershire and captain John Wrench praised his team for their fighting spirit.

All games were hard-fought with the first result after nearly four hours. Stephen Woodhouse (Midland Monarchs) scored the county’s first win but that was cancelled out half-an-hour later by a Lincolnshire victory.

Ray Collett (Worcester) began a series of county wins followed by Pavel Besedin (South Birmingham), Gary Jackson (Redditch and Banbury), Wrench (Kidderminster), John Edge (Halesowen) and Brian Turner (Malvern) for a 7-1 lead.

But, with the exception of Kevin Hurney and Joseph Friar, all the other county players looked lost and the match was still in the balance.

Lincolnshire struck back but Redditch player Dan Lambourne and South Birmingham’s Hurney both drew.

Despite a few more wins for Lincolnshire, Peter Kitson (Worcester) defended a difficult ending to draw and ensure victory for Worcestershire.

Even if they lose to Nottinghamshire in their final match in February, the team will at least gain the joint title.