Shipston only draw as champions find it tough (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Shipston only draw as champions find it tough

SECOND week's action in the Prudden Road Surfacing Summer League saw Studley head the Premier Division table after a 4-0 walkover against Inkberrow who were unable to field a team.

Stratford missed out on sharing top spot after Littleton claimed an important rubber as their opponents were made to work hard for a 3-1 win.

Shipston retained third place despite being held to a draw by Henley, while Claverdon moved fourth after beating FISSC 3-1.

The reigning champions found life tough against Littleton's top pairing Sean Witheford and Dave Rudge and Callum Bailey and Rob Slatter were shocked to be beaten for the first time in the league for three seasons. After claiming the first set 6-4, they went down in the next two 6-2, 7-5.

Reversed

Stratford captain Tim Page and Simon West defeated Scott Witheford and Ian Smith 6-1, 6-1 to tie the match. After the change, Bailey and Slatter resumed normal service as they overcame Witheford and Smith without losing a game.

In the final rubber, Page and West again found Witheford and Rudge hard work before edging them out over three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, to give Stratford victory.

Newly promoted Evesham continued their terrific start at the top of Division One with another emphatic 4-0 victory this time at FISSC B.

However, the other winners from the opening week went down as Tanworth-in-Arden lost 4-0 to Stratford C.

Littleton B opened their account with a 3-1 victory over Bidford B.

Moreton-in- Marsh took an early lead in the second division when they followed up their opening week's win with a 4-0 thrashing of HDA Redditch.

Stratford E move up to second after a 4-0 victory over Studley B, Inkberrow B and Stratford D are in third and fourth respectively after a 2-2 draw, the same result when Alcester faced Pershore.

Littleton C enjoyed a good 4-0 Division Three victory over newly promoted Ardencote Manor. Chipping Campden B, meanwhile, gained their first points after a 3-1 victory over Bidford B while Ilmington had a 4-0 walkover against Snitterfield.

Alcester B opened up a two-point lead in the fourth division after a 4-0 defeat of Harbury.

Claverdon C and Henley B share second place after both registering 4-0 wins over Ullenhall and Shipston B respectively.

Moreton B moved up to fourth after a 4-0 drubbing of Studley C.