DEFENDING champion Steve Lane claimed the men’s 36-hole club championship at The Worcestershire.

Thomas Deehan led round one with 74 gross, one clear of Tom Howells and Lane.

Conditions remained firm underfoot and with fast greens and some tricky pin positions the players faced a stern test.

In round two Lane matched his first-round score to take the win on 150, four clear of Andy Longley and Deehan on 154.

In the nett competition for the Schweppes Cup, Longley won with 144 from Nick Smith on 145 and Tom Davies on 147.

Pauline Savage continued her winning streak in the September medal.

She finished six clear of her nearest rival in Division Two and reduced her handicap to 26 after a three-under-par 69 nett.

Elsie Kelsall and Hazel Cartledge made up the top three.

In Division One, newcomer Denise Codrington made her debut and was third with 74 as Pat Rose won with 72 from Jill Piner on 73.

Just two ladies braved unexpectedly wet conditions for the nine-hole stableford and were rewarded with good scores.

Marie Willis returned 18 points and Pauline Taylor 20.

The Worcestershire hosted the inaugural match against Broadway for the Alison Hewitt Memorial Trophy donated by Julie Saunders. A close match ended in a draw.

There were low scores in the autumn meeting with Nick Day winning the Claret Cup in Division One with 69 nett.

The Autumn Cup for Division Two went to Maurice Moore but the best score of the day was delivered by David Jeynes.

Jeynes defended the Douglas Cotton Autumn Tankard for Division Three with an eight-under-par round of 64.