Week two of the Wildmoor Spa Tennis League, covering the South Warwickshire area and parts of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, saw Evesham take over at the top of the League following their 4-0 defeat of Henley-in-Arden. Previous leaders Studley A slip to second after being held to a 2-2 draw by Alcester. Ardencote Manor and Stratford-on-Avon share joint third thanks to both enjoying victories. Ardencote’s was 3-1 away to Studley B, while Stratford overcame hosts Littleton 4-0.
Evesham are clear leaders on 7 points after a convincing 4-0 result at home to Henley. The opening rubber proved the closest before John Clarke & Chris Francis (Evesham) overcame Max Retallack & Brett McKay (Henley) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) on a tie-break. The Evesham pair then went on to comfortably beat Matt Williams & Oli Didlick (Henley) 6-1, 6-3. Evesham’s other pair, Simon Wall & Andy Crowther, beat Williams & Didlick 6-2, 6-0 and beat Retallack & McKay 6-2, 6-2.
Studley A with 6 points were knocked off the top when held at home to a 2-2 draw by Alcester. The Alcester first pair Tim Kenneally & Sam Allen did the damage to newly promoted Studley A. Damian Hampton & Mark Wilmore (Studley A) went down to Kenneally & Allen 3-6, 7-5, 0-1 (2-10) but only after a third set championship tie-break. They recovered to then beat Jack Newbold & Barney Williams (Alcester A) 6-2, 6-3. Martyn Richards & Paul Farmer (Studley A) beat Newbold & Williams 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 but lost to Kenneally & Allen 1-6, 5-7.
Ardencote Manor moved up to third on 5 points thanks to their 3-1 away win at Studley B. David Douglas & Ollie Smith (Studley B) went down to Christian Hardy & Rich Butler (Ardencote) 3-6, 4-6 and lost to Ben Summers & Phil Storey (Ardencote) 5-7, 6-7. James Fitton & Mel McGregor (Studley B) lost to Summers & McGregor 2-6, 1-6, but gained a point for their side by beating Hardy & Butler 7-5, 2-6, 1-0 (10-3) after an epic battle.
Finally in the Premier Division, current champions Stratford bounced back from their opening week defeat to Evesham with a good 4-0 win at the Littletons. Sean Witherford & Dave Rudge (Littleton) lost to Simon West & Will Morley-Cotteril (Stratford) 4-6, 6-3, 0-1 (6-10) after a close rubber. They then lost to Stratford captain Tim Page & Callum Bailey 1-6, 2-6. Andy Reynolds & Richard Herborn (Littleton) lost out to Page & Bailey 1-6, 4-6 and lost to West & Morley-Cotteril 2-6, 3-6.
In Division One Moreton-in-Marsh take over as leaders on 7 points from Claverdon whom they beat 3-1. Whitnash after their first match of the season moved to third thanks to their 3-1 away win over fourth placed Snitterfield. Inkberrow entertained Aston Cantlow and the 3-1 result in Inkberrow’s favour pushed them up to fifth place. Pershore had no match this week.
Ardencote Manor B top Division Two following a 4-0 victory over Shipston-on-Stour B who drop to fifth. HDA Redditch A move up to second place with 6 points following a pleasing 3-1 victory over third placed Inkberrow B. Stratford B join the latter in joint third with 4 points after they overcame FISSC away from home 3-1. Finally bottom sides Chipping Campden A hosted Alcester B with the visitors triumphing 3-1.
Division Three saw Claverdon B retain top spot with 7 points thanks to a 3-1 win away to Alcester C. Snitterfield B, Henley B and Studley C all share second place with five points each. Snitterfield B visited Ilmington and came away with a 3-1 win. Henley B enjoyed a splendid 4-0 victory over Wildmoor Spa A and Studley C had a good 3-1 result away to Chipping Campden B.
In Division Four Bidford-on-Avon A lead the table on 7 points along with HDA Redditch B, although Bidford have a one set better record. Bidford A had the best result of the week beating Chipping Campden C 4-0. HDA B used their home Redditch advantage to good effect in overcoming Littleton B 3-1. Pershore lay third in the table following a 3-1 win over Moreton-in-Marsh B. Mid-table teams Claverdon C and Inkberrow C drew 2-2.
On to Division Five which saw new club Warwick retain their lead with 6 points despite being held to a 2-2 draw away to HDA Redditch C who lay second with 5 points. Moreton-in-Marsh C are equal second on points but were held to a 2-2 home draw with Inkberrow D. Wildmoor Spa B and Bidford-on-Avon B are fourth equal after Wildmoor B drew away to Shipston-on-Stour B 2-2, while Bidford B went one better beating Evesham B 3-1.