BROMSGROVE and Redditch table tennis league stalwarts Himbleton and Lickey Panthers have dropped out of the league for it's 50th season along with Hillcrest B.

But West Midlands Phones have joined the league, entering a team in each of the two divisions.

Newton Works and Droitwich both banked 6-4 home wins in the Division One openers.

Works beat Astwood Bank thanks mainly to number one Geoff Cooper who won all his three games, Michael Kendall won two and veteran skipper Ron Butterton got the other.

For the Bank N Anson won two and Ken Southwell one, plus the doubles.

And Droitwich beat SPSP, Steve Nicholls, making his SPSP debut, was in great form, winning three, but they only got one more win through Lester Winterbourne.

For Droitwich Trevor Simmons and Tony Birch won two each.

Don Evans won one and Simmons and Birchtook the doubles.

In Division Two Droitwich C beat Newton Works C 6-4.

For Droitwich Michael Langston, Nick Walters and Alan Davey won two apiece.

Best for Newton was new signing Steve Dimbylow who won all his games and teamed up with Avril Belcher to win the doubles.

Studley Road Terriers were at Droitwich C and were 7-3 winners.

John Dignum, Peter Hartles and Steve Gascoine all had two wins for Studley Road, plus the doubles.

Simon Tibke was undefeated for Droitwich.

Studley Road Nomads came up against a strong Hillcrest team and went down 8-2 at home.

Bernie Leech got Studley Road's two wins.

For Hillcrest Graeme Farrell won his three games well backed up by Alan McLoughlin and Terry Pountney who both won two games.

Newboys West Midland Phones B had an easy 10-0 win over Barnt Green Hornets.