Tennis
Alcester whitewashed

CHAMPIONS Stratford A resumed normal service in the South Warwickshire Summer League with an emphatic 4-0 win over mid-table Alcester.

Stratford B retained second spot despite being held to a 2-2 draw by visitors Shipston-on-Stour, while Claverdon leapt up the table to third thanks to a good 4-0 victory over Henley-in-Arden and Evesham finally gained their first points of the season as they emerged 3-1 victors after a close battle against Pershore.

Stratford A had little difficulty with a straight sets win over Alcester as their top pair Simon West and Callum Bailey beat Stuart Beach and Gareth Price 6-4, 6-1 and beat Matt Fielding and Matt Poole 6-1, 6-4.

Stratford captain Tim Page, with Cameron Malik, beat Fielding and Poole 6-1, 6-1 and beat Beach and Price 7-6, 6-4.

Stratford B had a competitive match against Shipston with honours even. Sam Wilks and Sam Righton had two epic struggles with both of their opposing pairs before going down in championship tie-breaks in both.

They lost to William Welch and Tobias Kemp 7-5, 6-7, 0-1 (4-10) and lost to Ben Lane and Clive Lane 7-5, 6-7, 0-1 (7-10).

The other Stratford pair of Ed Bosley and Richard Monk had a smoother passage in beating the Lane family pair 6-1, 6-3 and defeating Welch and Tobias 6-3, 6-1.

Claverdon looked in fine fettle during a straight sets victory over Henley. Ben Summers and Pete Thomas beat Max Retallack and Rob Tattersall 6-1, 6-3 and saw off Matt Williams and Chris Cardwell 6-0, 6-4.

John Turner and James Courier beat Williams and Cardwell 6-4, 6-2 and beat Retallack and Tattersall 6-3, 6-1.

Evesham have had a tough start to the season but finally managed a breakthrough with a close 3-1 win against Pershore.

John Clarke and Andy Crowther squeezed past Mike Langston and Rachel Prudden 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6) in a Championship tie-break and then beat Dave Lambert and Dominic Johnson 6-0, 6-2.

Ray Foster-Morison and Chris Francis just edged out Lambert and Johnson 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (10-4) in another championship tie-break, before losing to Langston and Ms. Prudden 4-6, 4-6.

In Division One Bidford-on-Avon were held to a 2-2 draw by Littleton but they remain three points clear at the top.

Ardencote Manor closed the gap in second after a good 4-0 win over Whitnash, while Chipping Campden beat Studley 3-1 and moved up to equal third place with Littleton.

Division Two sees Aston Cantlow still top despite being held to a 2-2 draw at Stratford C.

Claverdon B moved up from third to joint top on following a 4-0 drubbing of bottom placed hosts Littleton B.

This was also thanks to Snitterfield's match with Alcester B being postponed due to heavy rain.

Studley B retained their slender one-point lead at the head of Division Three after another good 4-0 victory over Ilmington, who took them to two tie-breaks before succumbing to defeat.

Chipping Campden B moved up to second with two straight set 4-0 wins over Wildmoor Spa and Ilmington.

Shipston B dropped down to third after beign held to a 2-2 draw by FISSC.

With previous joint leaders of Division Four Moreton-in-Marsh unable to play as their match against HDA Redditch was rained off, Inkberrow B took full advantage to pull four points clear at the top.

They beat Alcester C 4-0 while Snitterfield managed a 2-2 draw away to Inkberrow C to stay third.

The match between rock-bottom Campden C and fourth placed Pershore B was postponed due to rain.

There was no change at the top of Division Five. HDA B Redditch and Ardencote Manor B still share the leadafter both enjoyed 4-0 victories.

However, whilst Ardencote B cruised to their win against Bidford B, HDA were forced to battle through no less than three close championship tie-breaks before overcoming a valiant Wildmoor B.

Studley C stay third after beating Moreton-in-Marsh B 3-1 and Claverdon C defeated Henley C 3-1.

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