DOGGED Worcester Wanderers began their Midlands One West season with a 23-11 home loss to promotion hopefuls Dudley Kingswinford.
But the spirited hosts can take a lot of credit for playing their part in an entertaining encounter.
Wanderers took the lead after winning a line-out they forced in the corner when Greg Fincher found touch with a penalty.
Number eight Chris Griffiths surged through the centre of the maul to crash over but Fincher narrowly missed the conversion.
Dudley quickly took the lead with two penalties and, despite strong defence from Wanderers, were boosted by a sin-binning for Griffiths.
The visitors took advantage with a converted try and penalty to lead 16-5 at half-time.
Dudley extended the lead to 18 points when a knock-on was snapped up and the winger squeezed over in the corner for a converted try.
But Wanderers fought back and forced errors for Fincher to kick two penalties with Luke Denton and Sam Carter going close to tries.
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