DROITWICH edged to a dramatic 23-22 home victory over local rivals Worcester in the Midlands One West season opener.

The Glyn Mitchell Memorial Ground hosts led 15-9 at half-time but a succession of penalties helped Worcester sneak ahead in the second period.

It took a last-minute Chris Hooper penalty from out wide to secure Spa’s success.

Fly-half Hooper and front row Josh Olver were among the try-scorers with the former kicking the rest of the points.

Tom Dodge scored Worcester’s only try from the base of a scrum with Ollie Meadows’ boot providing the rest of the points as Droitwich leaked penalties.

Promoted Kidderminster Carolians crashed 59-19 at home to Stoke while Hereford beat visitors Sutton Coldfield 23-8.

Worcester host Newbold-on-Avon on Saturday while Droitwich entertain Dudley Kingswinford.

Kidderminster go to Stourbridge Lions and Hereford visit Whitchurch.

Bromsgrove made a convincing start in the Midlands Premier with a 49-5 home win over Peterborough Lions.

They go to Sandbach on Saturday.

The lower divisions kick off with Malvern welcoming Pinley and Evesham at home to Southam in Midlands Two West (South).

SATURDAY’S OTHER CLUB FIXTURES

Midlands Three West (South): Ledbury v Manor Park.

Midlands Four West (South): Birmingham Civil Service v Upton; Bromyard v Tenbury; Claverdon v Pershore.

Midlands Five West (South): Bishops Castle & Onny Valley v Stourport; Chaddesley Corbett v Redditch.