IT was the battle of the big guns this week in the Bromsgrove and Redditch Table Tennis League.

The two top teams both unbeaten this season met -- Lickey Monarchs at home to Newton Works A. Eric Hardman the Lickey number one was the outstanding player of the night, winning all his three games, but they only had one more win, won by Roy Norton.

For Newton Mark Fiddian and Chris Maiden won two each, Michael Kendall also winning one.

The score was 5-4 to Newton, with the doubles to play, which Newton won when Mark and Chris beat Eric and Roy 21-15, 21-19.

SPSP went down 7-3 at home to Himbleton A, Adam Throssell and Trevor Simmons each won three games and then teamed up to win the doubles for Himbleton. Steve Colley, Phil Govier and Lester Winterbourne won one each for the losers.

Astwood Bank came away from Barnt Green with an emphatic 8-2 win over their A team.

Danny Holdsworth and Mark Cornish won one each for Barnt Green, but three wins each from Jim Connors and Dave Wood and one from Dick Hancox plus the doubles gave the Bank victory.

Division Two: Closest game of the week in Division Two was between Studley Road Terriers and Barnt Green Tennis Club, Barnt Green winning 6-4. For Studley Road who were at home John Dignum, Steve Demecardo and Peter Hartles all got one win each, plus the doubles for their four wins.

But Steve Hore and Jason McFall were unbeatable for Barnt Green each winning their three games to give their team the win.

Droitwich B had a good 7-3 win at home over Studley Road Nomads, John Perrott starred for Droitwich winning his three games and was well backed up by Chris Harris (two) and Philip Harris (one), plus the doubles for their seven wins. For Studley Road Jeff Lines did best, winning two, Bernie Leech getting the other one.

The Hillcrest B team of Anita Bennett, Margaret Buxton and Graeme Farrell were much too good for Droitwich Spa C winning 10-0.

It was much the same at Newton Works where their C team met Barnt Green Hornets, Barnt Green winning 9-1. Ivor Anderson and Paul Grigg won three each for Barnt Green, Chris Garner getting two. For Newton, Brian Askey got their one win.