Gap at the top widens as Alcester are docked points
STRATFORD are now nine points clear at the top of the Wildmoor Spa Tennis League after rivals Alcester were docked points for failing to raise a team.
The withdrawal handed Stratford a 4-0 walkover and also saw Alcester fined by the league.
Stratford now have 29 points and are nine clear of second-placed Evesham, who were without a game. Alcester are third, but drop to 17 points.
Mid-table Ardencote Manor and Henley-in-Arden had no match with the latter side’s fixture away to Studley having to be rearranged.
Moreton-in-Marsh took advantage with a 3-1 win over bottom side Claverdon, which meant they climbed above Studley out of the relegation zone.
It was Moreton’s Chris Elliott and Brian Lomas who claimed maximum points, although they were taken to a championship tie-break decider in both rubbers before sealing their victories.
They beat Nigel Bacon and Andy Ashley (Claverdon) 6-4, 6-7, 1-0, and then beat Carsten Astheimer and James Courier (Claverdon) 7-6, 2-6, 1-0. James Elliott and Greg Stotesbury (Moreton) lost to Astheimer and Courier 7-6, 4-6, 0-1, but beat Bacon and Ashley 6-4, 6-4.
In division one, it was status quo at the top as HDA Redditchbeat Snitterfield 3-1, while second-placed Alcester B beat Ardencote Manor B also by a 3-1 scoreline.
Both Snitterfield and Ardencote B stay equal third, but are now joined by Littleton after they drew 2-2 with Studley B.
Pershore moved above Whitnash and out of the relegation zone by beating Whitnash 3-1.
Division two leaders Stratford B were held to 2-2 draw by fifth-placed Snitterfield B.
That result gave Chipping Campden A the chance to draw level with the leaders on 25 points. This they did by blasting relegation-threatened FISSC 4-0.
Claverdon B moved up a place to fourth by overpowering sixth-placed Studley C 4-0.
Inkberrow A consolidated their third place with a 3-1 win over bottom-placed Aston Cantlow.
In division three, leaders Shipston-on-Stour A had their match at Claverdon C postponed due to rain.
Henley B took advantage, despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Alcester C, to lead the table by a solitary point with 23.
Alcester also moved up with this result to equal second with Shipston on 22 points apiece.
Inkberrow B closed up in fifth thanks to their 3-1 victory over sister side and bottom-placed Inkberrow C.
Sixth-placed HDA B team Redditch also closed their gap after beating fourth-placed Ilmington 4-0.
The top three teams in division four all won to consolidate their positions.
Leaders Pershore B disposed of Littleton B comfortably 4-0. Chipping Campden B sit in second place also recording a 4-0 win over joint penultimate team Wildmoor Spa A.
This meant that Warwick dropped to third despite a 3-1 defeat of fifth placed HDA C Redditch.
Redditch’s loss allowed Moreton-in-Marsh B to overtake them for fourth position with 18 points following their 4-0 success over the bottom and sister-side Moreton-in-Marsh C.
Bidford A stay top of division five despite the shock of their club colleagues Bidford B holding them to a 2-2 draw.
Warwickshire County Council climbed to second spot thanks to their 4-0 result over sixth-placed HDA D Redditch.
Wildmoor Spa B moved up to third after their 4-0 thrashing of bottom of the league Chipping Campden C.
The last two results had pushed Bidford B down from second in the table to fourth.
Shipston B surprised Evesham B with a 3-1 success.
