The Widney Sports Tennis League Week 5 (26/05/2011)

Week 5 of the Widney Sports Tennis League for the South Warwickshire & District threw up a clash between the top two teams when champions Stratford-on-Avon played hosts to leaders Alcester. Prior to this match Alcester led the table by three points, but Stratford brought out their big guns and blew Alcester out of the water with a resounding 4-0 victory which sees them top the table. Apart from Alcester, Stratford also have Henley-in-Arden hot on their heels as they moved up to equal second with Alcester and both only a point behind the new leaders. This was after Henley took a decisive 4-0 result at the expense of Stratford B, who now are starting to look adrift at the foot of the table. With Moreton-in-Marsh having no match this week, Evesham pulled out of the relegation zone with a valuable 4-0 win over mid-table Pershore.

A reinforced Stratford side proved just to strong for Alcester as they took all four rubbers in straight sets. Simon West & club coach Graeme Adams (Stratford) beat Gareth Price & Matt Poole (Alcester) 6-1, 6-3, and beat Pete Watson & Tim Kenneally (Alcester) 6-1, 6-1. Stratford captain Tim Page & partner Callum Bailey beat Watson & Kenneally 6-1, 6-3, and beat Price & Poole 6-0, 6-3.

The win for Henley over Stratford B puts them right back into contention for the title race. John Turner & Phil Silk (Henley) overcame Rene Peconka & Sam Wilks (Stratford B) only after a real fight 6-1, 3-6, 1-0 (10-5) in a championship tie-break. They then had another epic encounter before similarly overcoming Sam Righton & Cesar Toro (Stratford B) 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-2). The Henley captain Ben Summers and partner Rob Summers had an easier passage beating Righton & Toro 6-0, 6-2, and beating Peconka & Wilks 7-5, 6-4.

After a bad start to the season Evesham really needed their win over Pershore to escape relegation concerns. Chris Francis & John Clarke (Evesham) beat Mike Langston & Chris Langston (Pershore) 7-5, 6-2, and beat Andy Poppleton & Nick Edwards (Pershore) 6-1, 7-5. Andy Crowther & Paul Everett (Evesham) beat Poppleton & Edwards 6-1, 6-1, and beat Langston & Langston 4-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-4).

The lead at the top of Division One changes yet again as a new name joins the table toppers. Chipping Campden join Shipston-on-Stour on equal 12 points after they defeated Littleton 3-1. Shipston had no match last week but remain joint leaders. Whitnash are now the new challengers two points back in third after they overtook Bidford-on-Avon when they thrashed them 4-0. Bidford after a great start to the season leading the division are dropping like a stone and now lie fourth. In the bottom half of the table Claverdon and Ardencote Manor drew 2-2.

Division Two saw the leaders split with each of the top four teams leading the other by a single point for each position. Out on their own at the top after a 4-0 win over Studley B are Inkberrow. They are followed by Studley in clear second place due to their 3-1 victory over Ullenhall. Third are Stratford C who drew 2-2 with fourth placed Stratford C. Finally, Snitterfield moved up to fifth when they drew 2-2 with Littleton B.

Alcester B extend their lead at the top of Division Three to a whopping 6 points following their disposal of mid-table Ilmington 4-0. Second place shows much more competition with Aston Cantlow lying equal second on points with Shipston-on-Stour B and FISSC of Stratford. Cantlow moved up from fourth place thanks to a 3-1 win over Harbury. Meanwhile Shipston B also moved up from equal fourth when they beat FISSC 3-1. Although all three teams have 9 points Shipston stay above FISSC in the table thanks to this head to head result. Wildmoor Spa stay equal bottom having no match this week.

In Division Four, with last week's leaders Henley B enjoying a week off, HDA of Redditch took full advantage to take the lead when they comfortably beat Chipping Campden C 4-0 in straight sets. Chipping Campden B also gained ground and now stand equal second with Henley B and only two points off the leaders. Campden B came through a very competitive match including several tie-breaks before beating Inkberrow B 4-0. Moreton-in-Marsh B moved up to fourth place after beating bottom side Snitterfield B 3-1.

Finally, in Division 5 Pershore B move three points clear at the head of their division after overwhelming HDA B 4-0 in straight sets. The remainder of the table stays unchanged as Alcester C remain second despite drawing 2-2 with Inkberrow C because third placed Henley C also drew 2-2 with Claverdon C. The bottom of the table clash between Bidford B and Studley C resulted in the latter thrashing Bidford B 4-0 and in doing so leapt over both Bidford B and Claverdon C and out of the bottom two.

Division Tables