Former bitter rivals Nigel Eckersley (Uckfield) and John Hilton (Manchester) clashed in the final of the Newcastle Open Grand Prix.
Eckersley, the Horsham No.3, was defeated 11-9, 11-2, 11-9.
Earlier Eckersley had taken out some of the south's star veterans including Dave Harding (Surrey) and local favourite Malcolm Lusk (Northumberland).
Hilton created a sensation in Europe in 1980 when he won the senior European title at Berne in Switzerland with a bat surface that at the time was rumoured to be illegal.
After defeat at Newcastle Eckersley said: "John Hilton is a master with changing his pimples on his bat. His latest combination improves his attack enormously but he has no defence to speak of. Not long ago he was a great defensive player. Now he is committed to vicious attack and I cannot cope with that."
Three years ago at the English Open, Hilton and Eckersley clashed in the veterans' final and had a heated argument in front of a packed crowd.
Both men were severely reprimanded but are now close friends.
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