Champions Stratford extend their lead at the summit

WEEK three of the Wildmoor Spa Tennis League saw champions Stratford-on-Avon stretch their lead at the top of the premier division to 11 points after a convincing 4-0 victory over Claverdon.

Stratford top pair Callum Bailey and William Morley-Cotterell dropped only three games in their rubbers, beating Richard Butler and Carsten Astheimer (Claverdon) 6-1, 6-2, and beating Andy Ashley and his Claverdon partner 6-0, 6-0.

Tim Page and Simon West beat Ashley and partner 6-1, 6-1, and beat Butler and Astheimer 6-1, 6-3.

Alcester are three points behind in second place thanks to their 4-0 away win over Ardencote Manor, who drop to equal third on seven points following this defeat.

Gareth Price and Stuart Beach (Alcester) beat Christian Hardy and Pete Thomas (Ardencote) 6-0, 6-2 and beat Ben Summers and Jake Smith (Ardencote) 6-2, 6-2.

Tim Kenneally and Pete Watson (Alcester) beat Summers and Smith 6-1, 6-2 and defeated Hardy and Thomas 6-1, 7-5.

Evesham climbed to join Ardencote in equal third with a 3-1 win at Studley.

Their top pair on the night, Julian Heath and Simon Wall beat Martyn Richards and Jack Richie (Studley) 6-1, 6-4 and beat Damian Hampton and Mark Willmore (Studley) 6-3, 6-4.

Chris Francis and Ray Foster-Morison (Evesham) lost to Hampton and Willmore 3-6, 2-6, but beat Richards and Richie 6-3, 6-2.

Moreton-in-Marsh moved up to fifth spot on six points by defeating sixth placed Henley-in-Arden 3-1. James Elliott and Gary Jackson (Moreton) beat Tom Griffiths and John Lee (Henley) 6-1, 6-0 and beat Brett Mackay and Sam Turner (Henley) 6-0, 7-5.

Brian Lomas and Greg Stotesbury (Moreton) lost to Mackay and Turner 4-6, 4-6, but beat Griffiths and Lee 6-2, 6-2. In division one, HDA Redditch opened up a three-point lead with eight points which owed much to their 4-0 win at the expense of Ardencote Manor B, although the match was closer fought than the score suggests.

No less than five teams share second spot with five points apiece. They are Alcester B, Littleton, Snitterfield, Studley B and Whitnash.

Littleton defeated Alcester B 3-1, Whitnash similarly beat Snitterfield 3-1, while Studley B saw off Pershore 3-1.

In division two, Stratford B emulated their A team by leading their table with 11 points. They again enjoyed a 4-0 victory — this time over fourth-placed Chipping Campden A.

Inkberrow A are hot on their heels a point behind them after beating Studley C 4-0.

FISSC moved up to third place with seven points following a 4-0 straight sets win over Aston Cantlow, who have yet to register a point.

The match between Snitterfield B and Claverdon B was postponed due to rain. Division three results saw another change at the top with Shipston A taking the lead with ten points thanks to their 4-0 win over HDA B Redditch.

Henley B moved up to second with nine points after they pushed Inkberrow B (8) down to third spot after beating them 4-0.

Finally, Ilmington claimed fourth place with their 3-1 defeat of fifth-placed Alcester C (5).

In division four, Pershore B stay top with ten points and a 4-0 result over Wildmoor Spa A (3). Moreton-in-Marsh B stay joint second after a straight sets win over Littleton B (3).

Warwick are the other team in joint second with a 3-1 win over Moreton C.

Chipping Campden B moved up to fourth position with a 2-2 draw at home to HDA C Redditch.

Bidford-on-Avon remain top of division five with seven points despite their game against Warwickshire County Council having to be stopped due to rain.

This allowed Bidford B and Evesham B to join them at the top after Bidford B beat Wildmoor Spa B 3-1 and Evesham B defeated HDA D Redditch 3-1.

Shipston-on-Stour B jumped up to fourth with five points thanks to their 4-0 victory over Chipping Campden C.