WORCESTERSHIRE won their Midlands Team Championship opener 9½-6½ against Warwickshire at Droitwich.

On board one, grand master Keith Arkell beat Birmingham ace Don Mason.

New captain John Wrench said: “I am delighted with a solid first-match victory. This result owes much to Keith, who took time out from his busy professional schedule.”

Dan Lambourne (Redditch), Geoff Marchant (Malvern), Stephen Woodhouse (Midland Monarchs), Nigel Towers (South Birmingham) and Ray Collett (Worcester) also won.

The county next visit Leicestershire and a draw or win could see them through to April's national county team championships.

In the Worcestershire League, hosts Worcester City drew with Halesowen I and lead 3-2 going into a second session with Olton.

In Division Two, Droitwich drew against Kidderminster B and Halesowen A beat their B team.

In the Worcester and District League, Worcester Bishops lost to Kidderminster Knights in Division One.

Hosts Worcester Pawns won their first Division Two fixture with Mercia 2½-1½ and drew 2-2 against Stourbridge.

At Worcester City in a replay championship final after a draw, veteran Nick Harris beat ex-Worcestershire junior champion Alaric Stephen.

Harris said: “I’m very pleased to be a champion at the age of 79. The final replay was a tense game.

"I had to fight hard against a strong attack by my rapidly-improving opponent, who slipped up only late in the contest.”