Inkberrow still second

10:14am Thursday 24th July 2008

AFTER the penultimate week of fixtures in the Prudden Road Surfacing Summer Tennis League for the South Warwickshire and district area, Inkberrow stay in runners-up spot nine points behind Stratford but three points ahead of Evesham after their match against Moreton-in-the Marsh was drawn 2-2.

In the final match Littleton defeated Inkberrow B 3-1, which dooms Inkberrow B to relegation to Division One, but keeps Littleton's feint hopes of avoiding the drop alive.

Moreton-in-the-Marsh did themselves a power of good and probably avoided relegation with their result against Inkberrow A.

Graham Rankin and Phil Scrafton of Inkberrow lost 6-1, 6-1 and Gordon Keir and Tim Price 7-6, 6-0.

In the final fixture Littleton, desperate to avoid relegation, beat Inkberrow B 3-1 Sean Witheford and Richard Herborn (Littleton) beat Chris Baker and Tim Kenneally (Inkberrow B) 6-3, 6-1 and beat Ashley Baldwin and Ricky Allen (Inkberrow B) 6-3, 6-1.

Chris Elliott and Ian Smith (Littleton) beat Baldwin and Allen 6-3, 6-2, but lost to Baker and Kenneally 4-6, 7-6, 2-6.

Alcester claimed the Division Two title when they thrashed Aston Cantlow 4-0.

This result also confirmed Cantlow's demise into Division Three next year.

Studley enjoyed a 3-1 win over Redditch side HDA and are guaranteed runners up spot and promotion to Division One.

The third promotion spot is still up for grabs between third placed Pershore on 25 points but with a game in hand and HDA, who trail them by a solitary point.

Littleton B made up some ground on Alcester B in their attempt to avoid relegation when they defeated them 3-1.

Division Three leaders Snitterfield are confirmed promoted to division two, after they beat bottom side Studley B who are also relegated.

Division Four leaders Inkberrow C took advantage of the fact that theirs was the only fixture in their division not to be rained off.

They beat Littleton C 4-0 to claim the title and promotion as they now lead by an unassailable 10 points.

Only two matches were scheduled this week in division five, but they were important for the promotion race.

Inkberrow D and Alcester C battled it out for the runners-up spot and the second promotion place.

At the beginning of the week Inkberrow lay two points clear of Alcester and, playing bottom but one HDA B of Redditch, looked a good bet for clinching promotion.

But no-one had told HDA who upset the form book by beating Inkberrow D 3-1.

This gave Alcester C an opportunity which they took by defeating Bidford C 3-1 to leave them level with Inkberrow on 20 points apiece and with all to play for in the last week.

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