WORCESTER Rugby Club marked their 2019-20 Midlands One West home opener with a first win of the season thanks to Oliver Meadows' late penalty.

They edged out a top-four side from 2018-19 in Newbold-on-Avon 24-22 at Weston's Fields but still have plenty of work to do on both attack and defence.

Worcester began in composed fashion and Dan Wadcock's box kick forced an early penalty which Meadows put over from long range.

With a higher intensity and work-rate from the previous weekend's loss at Droitwich, Worcester scored the first try when Dan Jones fielded a cross kick and set up Will Carroll.

Newbold hit back with a try and penalty before holding out until half-time when Worcester went for a close-range lineout and drive.

Chris Gill and Everett Sullivan impressed off the bench in the second half as Worcester kept up the pressure.

They missed one try-scoring opportunity before quick hands allowed for second row Andrew Reid's score in the corner.

A lapse in concentration at a lineout allowed Newbold to crash over for a converted try.

But Worcester dug deep and won a penalty with man of the match Meadows dispatching the pressure kick for victory.

Worcester welcome Dudley Kingswinford on Friday night (7.30pm).

OTHER RESULTS

Midlands Premier: Sandbach 17 Bromsgrove 13.

Division One West: Droitwich 5 Dudley Kingswinford 29; Stourbridge Lions 46 Kidderminster Carolians 17; Whitchurch 5 Hereford 29.

Division Two West (South): Evesham 85 Southam 17; Malvern 71 Pinley 19.

Division Three West (South): Ledbury 21 Manor Park 31.

Division Four West (South): Birmingham Civil Service 14 Upton 26; Bromyard 25 Tenbury 19; Claverdon 22 Pershore 15.

Division Five West (South): Bishops Castle & Onny Valley 19 Stourport 15; Chaddesley Corbett 40 Redditch 14.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

Midlands Premier: Bromsgrove v Sheffield.

Division One West: Kidderminster Carolians v Sutton Coldfield; Hereford v Droitwich.

RFU Midlands Intermediate Cup second round: Camp Hill v Malvern.

RFU Midlands Senior Vase second round: Ledbury v Edwardians.

RFU Midlands Junior Vase second round: Aldridge v Redditch; Bromyard v Yardley & District; Cannock v Tenbury; Clee Hill v Greyhound; Pershore v Birmingham Exiles; Upton v Aston Old Edwardians.