CHAMPIONS Lickey Monarchs had to fight all the way in their 7-3 win over Astwood Bank in Division One of the Bromsgrove and Redditch Table Tennis League this week, with five games going to the best of three.

Sid Hodgetts was in great form for Monarchs, winning three games, and was well backed up by captain Martin Clark with two wins. Steve Mullard won the other, while Sid and Steve won the doubles for their seven wins. Bank got their victories through Nigel Anson (two) and Ken Southwell (one).

Newcomers West Midland Phones drew 5-5 at home to Droitwich A. For the Phones I Cooper and C Would both won two each with J Cook getting the other. For Droitwich, Gordon Nicklin was in great form, winning his three games, with Alan Davey getting the other. Droitwich were 5-4 down with the doubles to play.

This they won, when Gordon and captain Don Evans got home 7-21, 21-14, 21-16.

SPSP and Barnt Green A also had a 5-5 draw, with five of the games going to the best of three. Steve Nicholls was unbeaten for SPSP, with Lester Winterbourne also doing well with two wins. Captain Paul Cornish did best for Barnt Green, winning two, Steve Hore and Jason McFall getting one each. Barnt Green had to win the doubles to get the draw. This they did when Cornish and McFall beat Nicholls and Winterbourne 21-18, 18-21, 21-16.

Barnt Green B went down 6-4 at home to Studley Road Nomads in Division Two. Ian Scott was in great form for Green, winning his three, but they only got one more win through Mike Evetts.

Jeff Lines and Bernie Leech both won two for Nomads with Ian Cairns getting one. Leech and Lines then beat Scott and McGuire 21-11, 13-21, 21-11 to win the match.

Newton Works C went down 8-2 at home to Droitwich B. Steve Dimbylow won Newton's two, but three wins from Chris Harris and two each from P Harris and J Hughes, plus the doubles, gave Droitwich a comfortable win.

Hillcrest lost 7-3 at home to West Midland Phones B. One win each for Margaret Buxton, Anita Bennett and Terry Pountney were all Hillcrest got. But three wins each from F Harrison and I Maybury, plus the doubles, saw the Phone lads home.

Droitwich C had a good 6-4 win away to Barnt Green Hornets. P Wozniak starred for Droitwich, winning his three games. L Wozniak won two games and they teamed up to win the doubles.

Chris Garner won two for Barnt Green with Neil Anderson and Tony Lawton getting one each.