KIDDERMINSTER Chess Club had the lower grade player on every board, but still gained a 3.5-1.5 victory at Halesowen in the Worcestershire League Division Two.

Full results (Kidderminster first): John Varilone 0, A Ambrose 1; Ken Durnell 1, B Curry 0; Bill Pugh 1, K Ryder 0; Terry Pountney 0.5, D Curry 0.5; Clive Billinge 1, J Llewellyn 0.

Kidderminster had a few scares before scraping a 3.5-2.5 home win over promoted Mercia in the Wolverhampton League Division One.

Jim Friar suffered a shock defeat and Dave Close was lucky to obtain a draw from a poor position.

Results: Brian Sharp 1, M Share 0; John Wrench 1, D Perks 0; Maurice Bissell 0.5, K Francis 0.5; Friar 0, R Carrier 1; Close 0.5, B Smith 0.5; Paul Thomas 0.5, C Bateson 0.5