Another draw but leaders maintain advantage (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Another draw but leaders maintain advantage

Prudden Road Surfacing Tennis League

AS THE league reaches its climax, Stratford clung on to their eight-point lead despite being held to another draw 2-2 by Inkberrow.

The leaders were a little tentative as no team is allowing them an easy victory and they were thankful of their early season points especially when captain Tim Page and stand-in partner Chris Marrow went dOn the other court, though, teammates Richard Monk and Mark Parsons managed a good 6-4, 6-4 victory over Graeme Rankin and Tim Price.

However, after the change they were then also beaten by Woodbridge and Watson 6-1, 6-4 and it was up to the Stratford captain to salvage pride with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Rankin and Price.

Revival Evesham continued their revival and took advantage of Moreton's slip to finally climb back up to third place after their convincing victory over bottom side Inkberrow B.

Despite the scoreline, relegated Inkberrow fought hard before going down.

Scores: Simon Wall & John Clarke bt Chris Baker & Tim Kenneally 7-6, 6-3 & Simon Baker & Craig Weedon 6-4, 6-1. Paul Everatt & Ray Foster-Morison bt Baker & Weedon 6-2, 6-3 & Baker & Kenneally 6-1, 7-5.

Moreton were not only knocked off third place by their defeat to Stratford B but were overtaken by their conquerors and now lie in fifth position.

Stratford opened in determined fashion to take taking both opening rubbers with Chris Cotteral and Nick Harper defeating Owain Thomas and Brian Lomas 6-1, 7-5.

Meanwhile, the strong partnership from previous years of Rob Slatter and Callum Bailey overcame Will Hale and Garry Jackson 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 and then went on to beat Thomas and Lomas 6-2, 6-1.

Cotteral and Harper went down to Moreton captain Hale and Jackson 6-2, 6-2.

The top three in Division One - Chipping Campden, Whitnash and Henley all claimed 3-1 victories in their battle for the title and promotion.

Campden beat FISSC, Whitnash defeated lowly Claverdon and Henley had a good victory over fourth placed Bidford.

A shock result saw bottom side Tanworth overcome Ardencote Manor 3-1.

With Studley enjoying a comfortable 4-0 win over Littleton B, Division Two leaders Alcester dropped a point in their 3-1 victory at Stratford C.

Pershore were held to a 2-2 draw by Alcester B, while Aston Cantlow continued their battling form when holding HDA to a 2-2 draw.

Third Division leaders Snitterfield retained their three-point lead as they drew 2-2 with closest rivals Claverdon B.

Harbury jumped two places from fifth to third after two matches in a week. In the first they drew 2-2 with Shipston-on-Stour and then ran out 4-0 winners over Studley B.

FISSC B dropped a place after being held to a 2-2 draw with Shipston and a draw between Ilmington and Campden B gave a valuable two points to Campden and allowed them to climb off the bottom.

Enjoyed Inkberrow C and Moreton B enjoyed 3-1 Division Four victories over Claverdon C and Littleton C respectively.

Third in the table Bidford B went one better with a 4-0 whipping of Henley B.

The major shock of the week occurred in Division Five where leaders Shipston lost 3-1 to Bidford C.

The losers' lead was cut to seven as Inkberrow D defeated Alcester C 3-1.

The bottom two teams, HDA B and Campden C, shared the spoils after a 2-2 draw.