The Penultimate Week 13 of the season for the South Warwickshire Summer Tennis League saw Stratford-on-Avon crowned as Champions for the tenth season in succession, an achievement that will possibly never be repeated in the history of the league. Their 2-2 draw with second placed Shipston-on-Stour gave them an insurmountable 33 points and the title. Stratford captain Tim Page was absent from this victory but will no doubt celebrate later. Ever present Callum Bailey was this time partnered by club coach Ralph Nielson and they lost the first rubber but secured their second. Team mates Richard Monk and Cameron Malik in reverse took their first but lost their second rubber. Shipston never gave up the fight during the year and caused this season to have the closest finish for many years, preventing Stratford from their usual runaway success. Their champions on the day were Adam Moran and Shola Adebisi who won both their rubbers on the day. Although beaten in this match captain William Welch and Tobias Kemp had supported their team mates on most occasions this season. to confirm Shipston's individual League runners-up awards.
Shipston have now completed their fixtures on 28 points and while Alcester and Claverdon have one match left both on 24 points, and could equal that number by winning their last matches, they could finish only third because Shipston had beaten both in head to head encounters this year. Claverdon did win their match this week beating Stratford B team 4-0 but were caught by Alcester despite the latter losing 3-1 to Evesham. This last result meant that Evesham pulled clear of the relegation zone two points ahead of Stratford B and next weeks clash between these two will decide who is relegated alongside Pershore.
Division One leaders Littleton were declared champions after defeating Ardencote Manor 3-1 and with this celebrated promotion to the top tier next season. Their total of 29 points can not be caught. Bidford-on-Avon, who currently lie second finished their season on 26 points and had a 2-2 draw with Studley and will now have to await Campden's final two results to see if they gain the second promotion place. Third placed Chipping Campden could only manage a 2-2 draw away to Inkberrow and are currently on 24 points. Inkberrow played two other previously rained off matches. First a rained off fixture against bottom placed Whitnash which they won 3-1, and the next night their regular fixture versus Ardencote which they could only draw 2-2. This lifted them above Studley and out of the relegation zone. However, they meet champions Littleton next week while Studley meet relegated bottom side Whitnash, so Inkberrow will need to be on their best form if they are to avoid the drop to Division Two.
On to Division Two where Alcester B topped the table having completed their fixtures on 32 points after inflicting Aston Cantlow with their first defeat of the season when they fielded a depleted side. Alcester B then beat Claverdon B 4-0 in a re-arranged rained off match from the previous week which meant that, while not declared champions, the Alcester team can celebrate promotion to Division One. They now lead Cantlow by 6 points with the latter having two matches in hand and a maximum of 8 points on offer. Third and fourth placed teams Ullenhall and Stratford C respectively shared the points in a 2-2 draw and lie with 24 and 22 points in the table. Snitterfield B defeated relegated Littleton B 4-0 and with that result escaped the relegation zone and overtook Claverdon B who took their place. Both teams are on 21 points but Snitterfield lead on head to head meetings this season. Who goes down will be decided on the final weeks results.
With already declared Champions Studley B enjoying a week's rest, the battle was still on between Shipston B and Chipping Campden B for the second promotion place as the sides met. A tense struggle finished with honours even in a 2-2 draw and left Shipston B having completed all their fixtures in second place with 30 points. Campden B trail a point behind on 29 points but with one final game next week against the champions Studley B. The Campden team need just one point from that fixture to secure promotion thanks to a better head to head with a victory over rivals Shipston B earlier in the season. The mid-table match between Ilmington and FISSC was rained off while the only other fixture between relegated sides Henley B and Wildmoor Spa A saw a 4-0 walkover to Henley B.
In Division Four Inkberrow B have clinched the title with 42 points over Moreton-in-Marsh A. They only lead Moreton by 4 points but can not be caught as they have a better sets and games total than Moreton in this seasons head to head matches. Inkberrow B began with a 3-1 victory over Snitterfield B and then drew 2-2 in a re-arranged match with HDA A of Redditch. Meanwhile despite losing 3-1 away to Pershore B Moreton celebrated promotion to Division Three alongside Inkberrow . HDA A are in third but 10 points behind on 28 and had another 2-2 draw in their regular fixture with Alcester C. Snitterfield B moved up to fourth on 25 points with two matches drawing 2-2 in a rain re-arranged match with Alcester C and then losing 3-1 as mentioned to the champions. Pershore B with their previously referred to win moved three points clear of relegation trouble. Inkberrow C despite beating bottom placed and relegated Chipping Campden C remain in the drop zone.
Finally, in Division Five champions Ardencote B celebrated their title and promotion by defeating Henley C 3-1. Claverdon C helped their bid for promotion in second spot by beating rivals HDA B Redditch 4-0. Claverdon now lead HDA by 35 points to HDA's 30 although the latter have a game in hand. If Claverdon can win their last fixture next week that should be enough to secure their place in Division Four next year. Studley closed up in fourth place by beating bottom two sides Bidford B 3-1 and also Wildmoor B 3-1 in a re-arranged previously rained off fixture.